Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles III at Sandringham on Sunday on the sidelines of a summit of European leaders focused on ending the war in Ukraine.
Sandringham Estate is the private country retreat of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Norfolk, England.
The Ukrainian president was greeted with Ukraine flags by residents who had gathered outside the estate as he stepped down from the helicopter, reported BBC.
Describing it as "a very good meeting," Zelenskyy told reporters, "I'm very grateful for this meeting and for how His Majesty helps Ukraine and supports us," adding that the King had met Ukrainian fighters being trained in the UK.
Royal sources told BBC that the Ukrainian president was "warmly received" and that the meeting lasted just under an hour. The pair were served tea in Sandringham's Saloon room, they said.
Zelenskyy was in London over the weekend for discussions on European defence amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The visit followed Friday's on-camera verbal spat between him and US President Donald Trump, leading to a breakdown in the proposed Ukraine-Russia peace talks.
According to BBC, the King had voiced his support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine last year, saying that the country had faced "indescribable aggression" after Russia's "unprovoked attack on their land."
Zelenskyy's first meeting with the King was in 2023 in the UK, after which the King visited Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire, the same day.
The London Summit on European defence ended with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir unveiling a four-step plan that world leaders believe will help secure peace in Ukraine. The plan includes maintaining the flow of military aid and forming a "coalition of the willing" to protect Ukraine as part of a future peace agreement.
Although an unofficial visit, Zelenskyy met the King before Trump, who was invited by the UK PM last week, could do so, BBC noted. UK PM Keir also dismissed calls by SNP First Minister John Swinney to cancel Trump's invitation following his controversial Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy.
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