Larry the Cat was seen leaving the residence of the British prime minister just as Keir Starmer welcomed the Ukrainian leader

Vladimir Zelensky’s visit to the official residence of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday was ignored by one of the dwelling’s main occupants, Larry the Cat, according to a video of the Ukrainian leader’s arrival.

Zelensky visited 10 Downing Street as he seeks more financial and military support for the conflict with Russia during a European tour.

A video published by Zelensky’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shows Starmer greeting Zelensky on a red carpet outside the residence in central London. As soon as the Ukrainian leader crosses the threshold of the house, Larry is seen immediately running out the door and standing outside, looking around. 

Social media users reposted the video, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) captioning it with an apparent reference to Larry: “I don’t want to be in the same building with him!” Another X user simply wrote: “Cats just know.” 

The 17-year-old Larry has been ‘chief mouser’ to the Cabinet Office since 2011. The feline has become increasingly vocal in sharing his political opinions and does not shy away from roasting former prime ministers, judging by his X account. 

🇬🇧🇺🇦 “I don’t want to be in the same building with him!”

— Larry the Cat from Downing Street quickly left when Zelensky arrived pic.twitter.com/jU0uxxvDoa

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) October 10, 2024

In 2022, the cat brushed against then-Prime Minister Liz Truss and made off down the street after Truss tried to introduce Larry to Danish leader Mette Frederiksen. Larry was no fan of Truss’ predecessor, Boris Johnson, either, taking pains to remind the public on social media that he was “not ‘Boris Johnson’s cat’” after the latter mentioned him in his resignation speech.

Larry’s X account has also addressed the arrival of Starmer’s new Siberian-breed kitten, Prince. In September, Larry shared Starmer’s post featuring the first picture of Prince and confidently declared, “My position as best-looking cat on Downing Street remains unchallenged.” 

After visiting the UK, Zelensky was due to visit France and Italy later on Thursday, before meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz later the same day. He is seeking to secure more support for Kiev, particularly as US backing appears in limbo if Republican nominee Donald Trump wins November’s presidential vote.