'He's democratically elected!' Keir Starmer takes subtle jab at Donald Trump's claim about 'dictator' Volodymyr Zelensky

Trump claimed Ukraine "talked" the US into spending $350billion (£280billion) bankrolling an "unwinnable war".

He also claimed Zelensky is doing a "terrible job", adding: "A dictator without elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a country left."

Despite not mentioning Trump by name, Starmer reiterated his support for Zelensky in a phone call this evening.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky this evening and stressed the need for everyone to work together.

“The Prime Minister expressed his support for President Zelensky as Ukraine’s democratically elected leader and said that it was perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during war time as the UK did during World War Two.

“The Prime Minister reiterated his support for the US-led efforts to get a lasting peace in Ukraine that deterred Russia from any future aggression.”

Zelensky had traded barbs with Trump after the Ukrainian leader described the US President of living in a "disinformation space".

Trump had suggested that Ukraine had started Russia's invasion in February 2022, separately claiming that Zelensky had an approval rating of just four per cent.

In his Truth Social tirade, Trump said: "Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, talked the United States of America into spending $350billion, to go into a war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a war that he, without the US and 'TRUMP', will never be able to settle.

"The United States has spent $200billion more than Europe, and Europe’s money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back.

"Why didn’t Sleepy Joe Biden demand equalisation, in that this war is far more important to Europe than it is to us — We have a big, beautiful Ocean as separation.

"On top of this, Zelensky admits that half of the money we sent him is 'MISSING'.

"He refuses to have elections, is very low in Ukrainian polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden 'like a fiddle'.

"A dictator without elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.

"In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something all admit only 'TRUMP', and the Trump Administration, can do.

"Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring peace, and Zelensky probably wants to keep the 'gravy train' going.

"I love Ukraine, but Zelensky has done a terrible job, his country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died – And so it continues."

Starmer's support for Zelensky came just hours after Badenoch threw her weight behind the Ukrainian President.

The Leader of the Opposition said: "President Zelensky is not a dictator.

"He is the democratically elected leader of Ukraine who bravely stood up to Putin’s illegal invasion.

"Under my leadership, and under successive Conservative Prime Ministers, we have and always will stand with Ukraine.

"President Trump is right that Europe needs to pull its weight - and that includes the UK.

"We need to get serious. The PM will have my support to increase defence spending - there is a fully funded plan to get to 2.5 per cent sitting on his desk.

"That should be the bare minimum. Starmer should get on with it, get on a plane to Washington and show some leadership. We cannot afford to get this wrong."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey added: "Calling Zelensky a 'dictator' must be where the line is drawn.

"It is my sincere hope that the whole political spectrum in the United Kingdom will speak with one voice in opposition to Trump’s lies."