Zelenskyy to meet King Charles as Starmer shows support for Ukrainian leader after White House disaster
by Josef Al Shemary · LBCBy Josef Al Shemary
Mr Zelensky is due to speak to the King on Sunday, the same day as Sir Keir Starmer's defence summit of European leaders in London.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy has left Downing Street after his meeting with Keir Starmer, a day after a heated clash with Donald Trump in the White House on Friday.
The Ukrainian leader is now set to meet with King Charles III on Sunday as European leaders gather in London for a defence summit hosted by Keir Starmer.
At Downing Street on Saturday, Zelenskyy said: "I'm very happy that His Majesty the King accepted my meeting tomorrow."
Keir Starmer also spoke to reporters before the pair's meeting, reiterating his support for Ukraine and Zelenskyy in the aftermath of the latter's disastrous meeting with Trump on Friday.
"You have the full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take," he said.
He emphasised the UK's "absolute" and "unwavering" determination to achieve "what we both want to achieve, which is... a lasting peace for Ukraine based on sovereignty and security".
Zelenskyy thanked Starmer for his support, and said: "We are happy to have such partners and such friends."
Zelenskyy first met the King during his surprise visit to the UK in February 2023, when the King told him "we've all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long".
Read more: ‘Putin is the only winner of Trump-Zelenskyy row’, Ukrainian MP tells LBC - as Kremlin openly celebrates spat
The Ukrainian president used his address to Parliament during that visit to thank the UK for its steadfast support, finishing by saying "God bless Great Britain and long live the King".
They also shook hands and had a private summit at the European Political Community summit in Oxfordshire in July 2024.
Their latest meeting will come after Zelenskyy's unprecedented public clash with US President Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance in the White House's Oval Office on Friday.
Should King Charles rescind Donald Trump's state visit invite?
A day prior, Charles invited Mr Trump to the UK for an unprecedented second state visit.
The Prime Minister handed him a letter from the King on Thursday as the two were facing cameras ahead of the more in-depth talks in Washington.
Mr Trump showed the letter marked "private and confidential" and featuring Charles's signature to the cameras gathered in the White House.
Read more: 'He fought like a lion': Ukrainians rally round Zelenskyy after heated White House row with Trump
The King suggested that he and Mr Trump could meet before that visit, either at Dumfries House or Balmoral which are near the businessman's golf courses in Scotland, to discuss the plans for the much grander state visit.
The letter, partially obscured by Mr Trump's hand, read: "I can only say that it would be ... pleasure to extend that invitation once again, in the hope that you ... some stage be visiting Turnberry and a detour to a relatively near neighbour might not cause you too much inconvenience.
Trump warns Zelensky ‘you’re gambling with World War Three’
"An alternative might perhaps be for you to visit Balmoral...
"There is much on both estates which I think you might find interesting, and enjoy - particularly as my foundation at Dumfries House provides hospitality skills training for young people who often end up as staff on your own establishments!"
The US president claimed Mr Zelensky was "gambling with World War Three" in a series of heated exchanges on Friday which were broadcast around the world.
The Ukrainian leader was also accused of not being thankful enough for US military aid by both the US president and his deputy Mr Vance.
The meeting ended with Mr Zelensky reportedly being kicked out of the White House, and plans to sign a deal exchanging Ukrainian mineral rights for American arms were put on ice.