Zelensky thanks UK for 'ironclad' support after meeting King

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Monday following talks with Ukraine's European allies.

After their private meeting, Zelensky thanked the UK for its "ironclad" support and revealed he planned to invite the King for a state visit to Ukraine in the future.

It comes after the leaders of Ukraine, the UK, France and Germany published a joint statement calling for a "just and lasting" deal to end the war with Russia.

Following talks in London on Sunday, Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they would "stand firmly with Ukraine".

Taking to social media after his meeting with the King, Zelensky thanked the monarch and the people of the UK for their ongoing support.

He also shared an image of himself alongside the King in the halls of Windsor Castle.

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper after his meeting with the King, Zelensky revealed he planned to invite Charles to Ukraine for an official state visit as early as this year.

He was also asked about several Reform UK councils making the decision to remove Ukrainian flags from outside town halls.

"I hope they will put it back", Zelensky told the newspaper.

He added: "I don't want to be involved in any political things, but you know, the world is so sensitive today. Sometimes little, small mistakes can break big friendships or huge contacts."

In response, a Reform spokesperson told the BBC: "It is an entirely reasonable position to support the people of Ukraine in their fight against Russia, whilst also believing that only domestic flags should be flown from public buildings at home."

In a joint statement on Sunday evening, Sir Keir, Macron and Merz called on Russia to agree to an "immediate and complete ceasefire" and condemned the country's "large-scale missile and drone attacks" on Ukrainian cities.

The three Western powers that met at 10 Downing Street constitute the so-called E3 group and are some of Kyiv's strongest allies.

The UK and France lead the "coalition of the willing" initiative to provide security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any future peace process.