Zelensky to visit UK ahead of Nato summit as Russian bombardment continues
The Ukrainian president will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday afternoon as part of the visit, according to No 10.
Mr Zelensky said he expected to discuss his country's defences and new ways to increase pressure on Russia ahead of a Nato summit that starts on Tuesday.
His arrival in the UK follows reports that Russia fired 352 drones and 16 missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 10 civilians including seven in Kyiv.
Mr Zelensky said preliminary reports indicated Russia had used North Korean missiles to attack Kyiv and described those two countries, and Iran, as a 'coalition of murderers'.
His visit to London comes the day before Nato leaders are set to meet in The Hague for a two-day summit, with increased defence spending top of the agenda.
Mr Zelensky has been invited to the summit but will not take part in its main discussions, and it is still unclear whether he will attend at all.
A Downing Street spokesman said: 'President Zelensky is visiting the UK today, ahead of the Nato summit in the Hague. You can expect the Prime Minister to host him in Downing Street this afternoon and reiterate our steadfast support for Ukraine.'
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The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
NATO chief says Ukraine remains vital at summit despite Zelenskyy's absence from leaders' meeting
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte insisted Monday Ukraine would remain a vital topic at an alliance summit this week despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's absence from a leaders' meeting aiming to seal an agreement to boost military spending. 'You will see important language about Ukraine, including connecting the defense spending up to 2035 to Ukraine, and the need for Ukraine to stay in the fight,' Rutte told reporters on the eve of the two-day summit. 'This is a clear commitment by allies.' But the Ukrainian leader hasn't yet publicly confirmed he'll attend a dinner laid on for leaders attending the NATO summit, where his country has had a diplomatic downgrade from previous alliance meetings, even as leaders stress that their militaries need to muscle up to counter the threat of Russia. It's a big change since the summit in Washington last year, when the military alliance's weighty communique included a vow to supply long-term security assistance to Ukraine, and a commitment to back the country 'on its irreversible path' to NATO membership. But with Zelenskyy's relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump still strained since a testy Oval Office meeting earlier this year, finding a place for the Ukrainian leader at NATO's top table has proved a bridge too far. There are other meetings scheduled for Zelenskyy at the summit, but the doors remain shut to the leaders' working meeting Wednesday, even as Rutte acknowledged how heavily the war weighs on the leaders. 'Of course, the most significant and direct threat facing this alliance remains the Russian Federation," he said. "Moscow continues to wage war against Ukraine with the support of North Korea, Iran and China, as well as Belarus.' Rutte stressed that the alliance is underwriting Ukraine's defense to the tune of billions of euros. European allies and Canada, 'will provide over €35 billion of additional security assistance to Ukraine for the year ahead,' he said. 'So in a couple of months, we went from €20 billion to €35 billion. And I think that is great news.' Meanwhile, Moscow bombarded Ukraine with 352 drones and decoys, as well as 11 ballistic missiles and five cruise missiles overnight Monday, Ukraine's air force said, killing at least 14 people and injuring several dozen others.
Leader Live
31 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Zelensky welcomed to No 10 for meeting with Starmer ahead of Nato summit
The Ukrainian president arrived in Downing Street where he was expected to discuss Britain's ongoing support for his war-torn nation on Monday afternoon, after being welcomed to Windsor Castle for lunch with Charles. Mr Zelensky, who is usually seen wearing military fatigues, wore a black blazer and trousers throughout his Monday visits. He and Sir Keir embraced on the doorstep of No 10, where a red carpet had been rolled out for the Ukrainian leader. Charles and Mr Zelensky were earlier pictured chatting as they made their way through Windsor Castle, and smiling as they shook hands in the Grand Corridor. During his visit to London, the Ukrainian leader was also welcomed to the Palace of Westminster and met Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his Lords counterpart, Lord McFall of Alcluith. His arrival in the UK follows reports that Russia fired 352 drones and 16 missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 10 civilians including seven in Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said preliminary reports indicated Russia had used North Korean missiles to attack Kyiv and described those two countries, and Iran, as a 'coalition of murderers'. His visit to London takes place the day before Nato leaders are set to meet in The Hague for a two-day summit, with increased defence spending top of the agenda. Mr Zelensky has been invited to the summit but will not take part in its main discussions, and it is still unclear whether he will attend at all. Ahead of the visit, a Downing Street spokesman said Sir Keir would 'reiterate our steadfast support for Ukraine' during his meeting with Mr Zelensky.
Glasgow Times
31 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Zelensky welcomed to No 10 for meeting with Starmer ahead of Nato summit
The Ukrainian president arrived in Downing Street where he was expected to discuss Britain's ongoing support for his war-torn nation on Monday afternoon, after being welcomed to Windsor Castle for lunch with Charles. Mr Zelensky, who is usually seen wearing military fatigues, wore a black blazer and trousers throughout his Monday visits. He and Sir Keir embraced on the doorstep of No 10, where a red carpet had been rolled out for the Ukrainian leader. Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Lord McFall at Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Charles and Mr Zelensky were earlier pictured chatting as they made their way through Windsor Castle, and smiling as they shook hands in the Grand Corridor. During his visit to London, the Ukrainian leader was also welcomed to the Palace of Westminster and met Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his Lords counterpart, Lord McFall of Alcluith. His arrival in the UK follows reports that Russia fired 352 drones and 16 missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 10 civilians including seven in Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said preliminary reports indicated Russia had used North Korean missiles to attack Kyiv and described those two countries, and Iran, as a 'coalition of murderers'. His visit to London takes place the day before Nato leaders are set to meet in The Hague for a two-day summit, with increased defence spending top of the agenda. The King with Volodymyr Zelensky at Windsor Castle (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Zelensky has been invited to the summit but will not take part in its main discussions, and it is still unclear whether he will attend at all. Ahead of the visit, a Downing Street spokesman said Sir Keir would 'reiterate our steadfast support for Ukraine' during his meeting with Mr Zelensky.
