Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met King Charles III at Sandringham estate in Norfolk, shortly after attending a high-profile defence summit on Ukraine in London.
Zelenskyy’s Meeting with King Charles
Zelenskyy arrived at Sandringham via military helicopter and stayed for just under an hour. This visit came after intense diplomatic discussions at Lancaster House, where UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged global leaders to strengthen support for Ukraine.
The meeting also followed reports that King Charles had extended an invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump, days after Trump’s tense Oval Office exchange with Zelenskyy.
UK Commits £1.6bn for Ukrainian Defence
At the defence summit, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK has signed a £1.6 billion deal to supply over 5,000 air defence missiles to Ukraine.
? Missiles: Lightweight multirole missiles (LMMs) capable of hitting targets over 6km away at speeds of 1.5 times the speed of sound
? Manufacturing: The missiles will be produced in Northern Ireland, creating 200 new jobs at the Thales weapons plant in Belfast
? Funding: The contract is underwritten by UK Export Finance (UKEF)
Starmer’s Statement:
“This will be vital for protecting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and will strengthen Ukraine’s position in securing peace when it comes. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and ensure Ukraine is not left vulnerable.
European Leaders Forge Common Strategy on Ukraine
World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, gathered at Lancaster House to coordinate efforts to end the war and deter further Russian aggression.
Starmer emphasized that this was a “once in a generation moment for European security”, stressing the importance of continued military and diplomatic support for Ukraine.
Tensions with Trump & U.S. Involvement
The defence summit followed a highly publicized clash between Zelenskyy and Trump at the White House, where the U.S. president reportedly criticized Ukraine’s reliance on Western aid.
Starmer commented on the fallout, revealing that the UK, along with France and potentially other allies, will work on a plan to halt fighting in Ukraine before engaging the U.S. in discussions.
? Starmer: “Even while Russia talks about peace, they continue relentless aggression. We must take decisive steps to secure peace through strength.”
International Response & Ongoing Commitments
Other leaders at the London summit included:
✔ Canadian PM Justin Trudeau
✔ Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez
✔ Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
✔ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
European leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, rallying around Zelenskyy after his heated exchange with Trump.
Looking Ahead
The UK’s latest commitment underscores its long-term support for Ukraine’s defence. Meanwhile, discussions between Europe and the U.S. will be crucial in determining future military aid and diplomatic solutions.
As Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression, the world is watching how these global alliances evolve and whether a viable peace plan can be forged in the coming months.
