Zelensky meets with King Charles III in first visit to UK since invasion
Misty Severi
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with King Charles III for the first time at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon during an unexpected visit to England.
The pair took part in a private meeting that lasted 30 minutes, according to the palace. Zelensky claimed that meeting the king was a “great honor,” and Charles told Zelensky that his country had been worried about Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
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“We’ve all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long, I can’t tell you,” Charles said, according to CNN.
Although it was their first official meeting, Charles has supported Ukraine in its war against Russia since he was the prince of Wales. Zelensky has met other members of the royal family previously, including Prince William, the current prince of Wales.
Zelensky, who also met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and addressed members of Parliament on Wednesday, said ahead of the meeting with Charles that it would be a “truly special moment” for himself and Ukraine, given his support for the country.
“I will convey to him from all the Ukrainians the words of gratitude for the support his majesty showed to them when he was still the prince of Wales,” Zelensky told Parliament. “I also intend to tell him something I think that is very, very, very important, not only for the future of Ukraine but for the future of Europe. In Britain, the king is an air force pilot, and in Ukraine today, every air force pilot is a king.”
Zelensky also thanked Great Britain for its support of Ukraine over the past year and the British government for the military aid it sent the country. Zelensky’s visit marked the second time the Ukrainian president has left the country since Ukraine was invaded almost a year ago.
“London has stood with Kyiv since day one,” the Ukrainian leader said, “since the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war. Great Britain, you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react … thank you, Britain.”
Britain previously sent tanks and long-ranged missiles to Ukraine, and on Wednesday, Sunak promised to send additional military aid to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, to help Ukraine defend against a potential spring offensive from Russia.
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Zelensky is expected to meet other Western leaders this week, including leaders from France and Germany later on Wednesday and the Italian prime minister on Thursday, according to CNN.