Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will meet King Charles at Sandringham later today after a warm welcome at Number 10 – and has reacted warmly to the opportunity
A delighted Volodymyr Zelensky has responded warmly to being granted a meeting with King Charles.
The Ukrainian president was greeted with cheering crowds and a warm embrace by Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside Number 10 on Saturday – just one day after he was berated in front of the cameras at the White House by Donald Trump. “We will stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take”, the Prime Minister told him as the pair sat together inside, with the Ukrainian leader visibly pleased by the marked difference in tone.
As well being promised a new package of military aid, Zelensky was also told he would he would soon be speaking with King Charles, and said he was “very happy” to have his request for a meeting accepted. He will travel to the King’s Sandringham residence today after attending a crunch summit of world leaders at Lancaster House.
At the start of the meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister said: “I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street. That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you and how much they support Ukraine, and our absolute determination to stand with you, unwavering determination, to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace, a lasting peace for Ukraine, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine. So important for Ukraine, so important for Europe, and so important for the United Kingdom.”
In response, Zelensky said he saw “a lot of people” outside Downing Street and thanked Britain for its support. He added: “And I’m very happy that His Majesty the King accepted my meeting tomorrow, and I’m thankful that you organised such great summit for tomorrow.” King Charles and Zelensky first met in February 2023 at Buckingham Palace, and spoke again at Blenheim Palace last summer during the European Political Community summit.
After finishing his meeting with the Ukrainian leader, the Prime Minister spoke on the phone to Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday for what a Number 10 spokesperson described as “constructive” talks. It is hoped today’s summit, chaired by Keir Starmer, will refocus efforts by European and world allies towards a palatable peace deal for Ukraine after the disastrous spat at the White House on Friday. Leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania will be among those present, while the Turkish foreign minister, NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council are also set to attend.
