King Charles III Reportedly ‘Very Close’ to Ukraine Ceasefire Talks

An anonymous senior defense official reportedly told Politico on Wednesday that Britain’s King Charles III is “very close” to negotiations for a potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, as well as to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

King Charles welcomed US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to Windsor Castle on Wednesday with full pomp and circumstance – on the first full day of Trump’s “unprecedented” second state visit to the UK.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff – two central figures to US policy on Ukraine – are also in attendance at Windsor, as per the BBC.

Arriving in the UK on Tuesday, Trump was full of praise for the British monarch. 

“He’s been a friend of mine for a long time, and everyone respects him, and they love him,” the US president said.

During an exchange of gifts, Trump gave King Charles a replica of a President Eisenhower sword – which Buckingham Palace said would serve as a reminder of the historical partnership between the two countries that was “critical” to winning the second world war, as per The Independent.

Trump is the first US president ever to be hosted at Windsor, but not the only world leader to receive such an honor. 

Shortly after Trump berated Zelensky for ingratitude during a disastrous televised meeting at the Oval Office on Feb. 28, King Charles unexpectedly invited the Ukrainian leader for tea at Sandringham. In June, Zelensky had lunch with the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

Other Topics of Interest

Polish Far-Right Calls for Block of Ukraine’s EU Bid Over ‘Heroes of the UPA’ Unit

Polish far-right leader Krzysztof Bosak said Poland should block Ukraine’s EU membership bid in response to Kyiv’s decision to grant an elite military unit the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA.” The comments mark the latest escalation in a growing dispute over the legacy of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which – eight decades later – remains one of the most sensitive issues in Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Last month, King Charles wrote to Zelensky personally to congratulate him on the occasion of Ukraine’s independence day – and to express his admiration for the “unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people.”

“I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” added the king.

Also on Wednesday, the Ukrainian parliament ratified a 100-year partnership between Ukraine and the UK.