British Defense Secretary John Healey compared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Winston Churchill, who also decided not to hold elections during World War II, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The agency notes that Healey's comments come after US President Donald Trump called the Ukrainian leader a "dictator".
When asked by a journalist whether, after President Trump's comments, it could be believed that the US still had Europe's security interests in mind, he said: "The best interests of Europe and America in the security field depend on an end to the war in Ukraine and on a strong, united alliance in the face of NATO".
Healey pointed out that he had seen "the commitment of Ukrainian leader Zelensky to his country" and that talk of peacekeeping forces was "premature".
"This was a man who, attached to his country, led his country and still does. He was elected", said the British Defense Minister, adding: "He is the elected leader of Ukraine and he did what Winston Churchill did in Britain during World War II - he stopped the elections while he was at war".
"Our job is to stand with the Ukrainians, to support the Ukrainians, to support them in their struggle. And if they decide to negotiate, to support them in the negotiations as well", concluded Healey.