Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles after a tense exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. European leaders in London urged Zelenskyy to fix his relationship with Trump before meeting the British monarch, New York Post reported.
A Warm Welcome from King Charles
Zelenskyy arrived at Sandringham by helicopter, wearing an all-black outfit. King Charles greeted him warmly outside the royal estate. However, Buckingham Palace did not reveal details of their conversation, following royal protocol.
This meeting came at a crucial time. Pressure was mounting on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to cancel Trump’s royal invitation. Just two days earlier, Zelenskyy’s White House meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance had turned uncomfortable. Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy in London with a warm embrace. Later, he told the BBC he felt “uncomfortable” watching the White House exchange.
King Charles Stands with Ukraine
Local supporters gathered at Sandringham, waving Ukrainian flags. This was Zelenskyy’s second meeting with the king. Their first meeting in February 2023 marked the first time a British monarch had met a Ukrainian head of state.
At that meeting, Charles reassured Zelenskyy, saying, “We've all been worried about you and thinking about your country.” The king has consistently supported Ukraine. He previously condemned Russia’s actions as “indescribable aggression” and praised Ukraine’s people for their “truly remarkable courage and resilience.”
Starmer Rejects Calls to Cancel Trump’s Visit
Meanwhile, some leaders pushed Starmer to cancel Trump’s state visit. On March 2, Scottish First Minister John Swinney told BBC that Trump must fully support Ukraine’s independence before receiving a royal invitation. “If President Trump won’t stand with us on this, a U.K. state visit shouldn’t be on the table,” he insisted.
Scottish National Party leader Stephen Flynn also demanded Starmer revoke the invitation. However, Starmer refused. “I’m not going to be diverted by the SNP or others trying to ramp up the rhetoric,” he told BBC.
Instead, Starmer focused on diplomacy. “I’m interested in practical steps, in building bridges, and strengthening relationships to secure lasting peace in Europe,” he said.