King Charles Welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky with a Heartfelt Reception at Sandringham

Volodymyr Zelensky recently visited King Charles III at Sandringham after attending a summit focused on ending the war in Ukraine.

When Zelensky arrived at the King’s residence in Norfolk, locals greeted him with Ukrainian flags as he landed by helicopter.

The Ukrainian president was in London for discussions about European defense. His visit followed a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump in the White House. Royal sources noted that Zelensky was warmly received during their nearly hour-long meeting.

King Charles has previously shown his support for Ukraine, describing the country’s challenges as “indescribable aggression” due to Russia’s actions. He praised the Ukrainian people for their remarkable bravery amidst the ongoing crisis.

Zelensky and King Charles first met during Zelensky’s unexpected visit to the UK earlier this year. This meeting was arranged at Zelensky’s request, with the UK government’s consent.

After the summit concluded, Sir Keir Starmer introduced a four-step plan aimed at ensuring lasting peace in Ukraine. This plan emphasizes the continued flow of military aid and the formation of a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine.

Zelensky’s meeting with King Charles occurred before Trump’s upcoming state visit to the UK. Sir Keir delivered an invitation from the monarch to Trump during a recent trip to Washington. While the invitation is significant, it is not a formal state visit; typically, second-term US presidents enjoy less formal gatherings, like tea or lunch at Windsor Castle.

Sir Keir described Trump’s last state visit in 2019 as a success, calling this new invitation historic. Trump expressed his appreciation for the invite, stating it would be an honor to visit the UK, though the date is still undecided.

Despite the upcoming visit, some, like SNP’s John Swinney, have called for the invitation to be canceled, particularly after Trump’s controversial comments during his meeting with Zelensky, where he suggested Zelensky was “gambling with World War Three.” An online petition against Trump’s visit has gained nearly 80,000 signatures since its launch.

Source link