Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has begun a major diplomatic visit to London aimed at strengthening defense and political ties with the United Kingdom
The visit takes place on Monday, and its main goal is to deepen cooperation in the security and defense sectors, as well as to exert more pressure on Russia in support of Ukrainian sovereignty and stability in the region. According to official reports, the well-known presidential spokesman Serhiy Nikiforov, Zelenskyy has a number of meetings planned with representatives of the British political elite. In particular, the Ukrainian leader is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as with King Charles III, with whom he is scheduled to have a personal conversation. In addition, the president will meet with the speakers of parliament - Lord John McFaul and Lindsay Goyle, which will allow them to discuss bilateral relations, future steps and support for Ukraine. A key component of the visit will also be Zelensky’s participation in meetings with Ukrainian military personnel currently undergoing training in the UK. This is another signal of close cooperation between the two states on security and defense issues. The visit also includes meetings with representatives of think tanks and experts who will help develop strategies to counter Russian aggression and strengthen international support for Ukraine. Against this backdrop, expectations are growing that during his stay in the UK, Zelensky will discuss with his partners strengthening the defense of Ukrainian territories, as well as applying stronger forms of pressure on the Russian Federation to stop the war. These are the goals that the president is focusing on during this diplomatic visit, seeking new guarantees of support in the international arena. In addition, during his visit to London, Zelensky plans to participate in the next meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, which will take place on June 26. This is an important platform for lobbying Ukraine’s interests and disseminating information on the humanitarian and security challenges the country faces in the context of war. One of the key moments of the diplomatic visit will also be the Ukrainian president’s participation in the European Union leaders’ summit, which will be held in Brussels. There, Zelensky plans to discuss ways to deepen Ukraine’s integration into European structures, advance the issue of granting candidate status, and gain support for further reforms. At the same time, it is still unknown whether the Ukrainian president will be able to participate in the planned NATO summit, which is of great importance for ensuring military support for an independent Ukraine. Thus, Zelensky’s visit to London is one of the central stages of his diplomatic work in the spring — with the aim of strengthening international support, strengthening defense capabilities, and jointly countering Russian aggression. Many important negotiations and decisions are expected in the coming days that will have a significant impact on Ukraine’s further course in the war and its global integration with Western structures.