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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the UK yesterday ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, meeting with King Charles III at Windsor Castle and later with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Downing Street to express gratitude for the UK’s ongoing support and discuss deepening military, humanitarian, and business collaboration.
Royal audience underscores solidarity
Zelensky’s meeting with King Charles, their third encounter this year, took place at Windsor Castle on Monday. The audience followed a major Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv. Zelensky expressed his gratitude, stating he was “very grateful for how His Majesty helps Ukraine and supports us” . The UK monarch and Ukrainian leader shook hands in a gesture that British media described as a potent symbol of royal support for Ukraine .
Downing Street talks yield military and industrial cooperation
Later on Monday, Zelensky held substantive discussions with Prime Minister Starmer at 10 Downing Street. The meeting produced a landmark military-industrial collaboration: a new co-production agreement, reportedly the first of its kind, for UK–Ukraine defense manufacturing . The agreement includes a £2.26 billion loan for defense procurement—funded via frozen Russian assets—and support for Ukrainian weapons production domestically .
Starmer reaffirmed his country’s steadfast support, stating: “You have full backing across the United Kingdom” . Zelensky acknowledged the UK’s “tremendous support from the very beginning of this war” .
Focus on defence and business collaboration
The UK–Ukraine partnership now includes industrial collaboration on defense, strengthened logistics, and training. This builds on a £1.6 billion export-financed missile deal, creating or protecting hundreds of UK jobs in Northern Ireland . The deal enhances Ukraine’s air defense capabilities amid continuing Russian aggression.
Zelensky is also set to meet UK-based military personnel training Ukrainian forces, as well as representatives from defence-related industries and think tanks, to explore opportunities for collaboration and training .
Solidifying alliances before NATO
Both meetings signal a concerted push by the UK to reinforce Ukraine ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague. Zelensky and his hosts discussed stronger sanctions on Russia, bolstered defence cooperation, and strategic business engagement .
HM King Charles III received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Windsor Castle Picture from History & Lives of the British Royals
