King keeps home fires burning for Kyiv

KING Charles showed embattled Volodymyr Zelensky that Britain stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine.

- Giles Sheldrick

He met Mr Zelensky at Sandringham days after the president was humiliated publicly by Donald Trump and his deputy at a hostile White House meeting.

Yesterday's private talks at the Norfolk estate, the late Queen's favourite retreat and where royals gather every Christmas, was a master stroke in soft power diplomacy.

President Zelensky's homely audience with Charles, 76, came immediately after European leaders met in London to reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine.

Whisked to Norfolk by military helicopter, he was greeted warmly by Charles at the country house.

Experts said that although photographs of the meeting with Mr Zelensky wearing trademark black fatigues was likely to infuriate Washington, they showed that Britain had an unrivalled strength in the statesmanship stakes.

It also signals the start of the UK leading the West in mediating between America and the EU, in the hope of thrashing out a deal to end the bloodshed caused by Russian leader Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Charles's historic gesture was widely interpreted as his most overtly political since succeeding his mother.

While Queen Elizabeth went to great lengths to keep politics at arm's length, the King's welcoming of a leader under siege is a subtle but clear signal Britain backs Ukraine steadfastly.

Author and broadcaster Robert Jobson said, "Charles's presence on the global stage is soft power at its most effective.

"In an era of diplomatic posturing and strongman theatrics, his quiet statecraft is an asset. His meeting with Zelensky, like so much of his diplomacy, will remain private. But make no mistake - his role in global affairs is real.