FACT CHECK: Did Zelenskyy Use An Expletive In Reference To Trump Ahead Of Downing Street Meeting?

A viral video shared on X claims Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy purportedly used an expletive in reference to President Donald Trump ahead of a recent meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Downing Street.

Zelensky burning a very big bridge. pic.twitter.com/5iYwRfpbGX

— A Man Of Memes (@RickyDoggin) March 2, 2025

Verdict: False

The video originally stems from TikTok and was likely edited with artificial intelligence (AI), according to Snopes. A video shared on X indicates Zelenskyy responded to a question from a reporter about his trip to the U.K.

Fact Check:

Zelenskyy met with Starmer on March 1, one day after clashing with Trump in the Oval Office, according to Fox News. Starmer told Zelenskyy he had “full backing across the U.K.” in regard to Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, the outlet reported.

The X video, viewed four million times as of writing, claims Zelenskyy purportedly used an expletive in reference to Trump ahead of a recent meeting with Starmer on Downing Street.

“BREAKING NEWS: F* Him!’ – Zelensky’s Unfiltered Response to Trump Caught On Camera Before Downing Street Talks,” text superimposed on the video reads. In the breaking news report style video, Zelenskyy walks past parked vehicles to attend his Downing Street meeting with Starmer. The video’s narrator claims Zelenskyy used an expletive in reference to a reporter’s question about Trump before a bleep is heard.

“Zelensky [is] burning a very big bridge,” the video’s caption reads. The video bears a label indicating it originally stems from TikTok.

The claim is false. A March 1 video shared on X by journalist Alexander Seale indicates Zelenskyy responded to a reporter’s question asking about his trip to the U.K. In the video, Zelenskyy can be seen exiting a vehicle before heading to his meeting with Starmer.

“Mr. President, how was the trip? How do you feel?” the reporter asks Zelenskyy.

“Okay,” Zelenskyy responds, adding, “Thanking you so much.”

“President #Zelensky arrived at Downing Street. He is meeting PM @Keir_Starmer. #Ukraine #UK,” the video’s caption reads.

President #Zelensky arrived at Downing Street. He is meeting PM @Keir_Starmer. #Ukraine #UK pic.twitter.com/cyyvtxZtED

— Alexander Seale (@AlexSeale) March 1, 2025

Likewise, neither Zelenskyy nor Starmer appear to have publicly commented on the claim. Trump has not referenced the claim, either.

In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. On March 3, Snopes debunked the claim. According to the outlet, the video was likely edited using AI. (RELATED: Trump Cut Off Journalist, Not UK Prime Minister)

Check Your Fact has contacted Zelenskyy’s office for comment.