King Charles meets President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during UK visit

23 June 2025, 13:58 | Updated: 23 June 2025, 17:09

King Charles III holds an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Windsor Castle, Berkshire.
King Charles III holds an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture: Alamy

By Christopher McKeon, PA

The King has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Windsor Castle.

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The pair were pictured chatting as they made their way through the castle and shaking hands in the Grand Corridor.

Charles welcomed Mr Zelenskyy to an audience at his Berkshire royal residence ahead of the politician’s afternoon meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London.

King Charles III holds an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Windsor Castle, Berkshire.
King Charles III holds an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture: Alamy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, for an audience with King Charles III.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, for an audience with King Charles III. Picture: Alamy

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Mr Zelenskyy said he expected to discuss his country’s defences and new ways to increase pressure on Russia ahead of a Nato summit that starts on Tuesday.

His arrival in the UK follows reports that Russia fired 352 drones and 16 missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 10 civilians including seven in Kyiv.

Mr Zelenskyy said preliminary reports indicated Russia had used North Korean missiles to attack Kyiv and described those two countries, and Iran, as a “coalition of murderers”.

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential building destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential building destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka

His visit to London comes the day before Nato leaders are set to meet in The Hague for a two-day summit, with increased defence spending top of the agenda.

Mr Zelenskyy has been invited to the summit but will not take part in its main discussions, and it is still unclear whether he will attend at all.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “President Zelenskyy is visiting the UK today, ahead of the Nato summit in the Hague. You can expect the Prime Minister to host him in Downing Street this afternoon and reiterate our steadfast support for Ukraine.”

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