According to the BBC, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm welcome from King Charles III of the United Kingdom on Sunday. This followed his public clash with U.S. President Donald Trump and a subsequent European tour.
Zelenskyy’s visit included a security summit in London with European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s defenses. After the summit, he traveled to the royal Sandringham estate to meet with King Charles III.
Royal sources described the meeting as cordial, with the two leaders sharing tea in the reception room. Afterward, Zelenskyy called it “a very good meeting” and expressed his deep gratitude for the King’s support of Ukraine.
Last year, King Charles III condemned Russia’s “unspeakable aggression” against Ukraine, publicly voicing his support for the country. The two leaders first met in 2023 during Zelenskyy’s visit to the UK, and the King has also met with Ukrainian troops undergoing training in Wiltshire.
Zelenskyy’s meeting with King Charles III occurred ahead of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit. The Ukrainian side reportedly requested the timing of this meeting, which was approved by the British government.
While Trump recently accepted an invitation for a state visit from Starmer during his U.S. visit on February 27, Zelenskyy first met with the King. The news of Zelenskyy’s royal audience was only disclosed the day before the meeting.