Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on Monday, June 23, for a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
During the visit, Zelensky is scheduled to meet with King Charles, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the speakers of both houses of Parliament – Lindsay Hoyle and Lord John McFall, according to a senior Ukrainian official.
Speaking to reporters, Zelensky’s spokesman said the main purpose of the trip is to “deepen defense cooperation” between the two countries.
He will also meet with Ukrainian military personnel currently undergoing training in the UK and hold discussions with representatives of British think tanks.
Zelensky’s visit to London comes ahead of his planned participation in the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague later this week, where he is expected to continue pushing for greater commitment to security support for Ukraine.
Zelensky earlier on Monday condemned Russia’s latest deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv, blaming what he called a “coalition of murderers” – Russia, Iran, and North Korea – for spreading terror beyond Ukraine.
At least seven people were killed in Kyiv, and another died in Bila Tserkva after waves of Russian missiles and Iranian-made Shahed drones struck residential areas overnight, according to local officials.
Zelensky warned that people living near Russia, Iran, and North Korea should seriously consider whether they are safe if this alliance continues to expand its campaign of terror.
The attack damaged civilian infrastructure across four districts of Kyiv, leaving shattered buildings and debris as emergency crews worked to clear the rubble.
He pointed out that while Russia had previously condemned strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, Moscow remained silent after launching what he called a cynical attack using Russian Iranian drones and missiles against civilian targets in Kyiv and other cities.
Zelensky said Ukraine would work with its partners to agree on new, stronger steps to stop such strikes and increase pressure on Russia.
“Today, during my visit to Britain, I will discuss our defense – how it should become the foundation for a much stronger collective security. We will also agree on new, decisive steps to increase pressure on Russia and stop these attacks.”
The attack comes less than a week after one of the deadliest strikes on Kyiv this year, June 17, when a Russian ballistic missile destroyed part of a residential building in the capital’s Solomiansky district, killing 28 people.