President Volodymyr Zelensky told King Charles that 'in Ukraine today every air force pilot is a king' during their first meeting at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The Ukrainian leader, dressed in his trademark khaki green military fatigues, was welcomed by the monarch in the 1844 Room for a 45-minute audience.
The president referred to the King's former service in the Royal Air Force, where Charles trained as a jet pilot in 1971. Mr Zelensky said the meeting was a 'truly special moment' and conveyed 'words of gratitude' from Ukrainians for the support shown by Charles when he was Prince of Wales.
Earlier, Mr Zelensky addressed Parliament in Westminster Hall, urging allies to provide fighter jets. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has since tasked the defence secretary with investigating which jets the UK might be able to supply.
The visit marks Mr Zelensky's first to the UK since the Russian invasion began. He was met at Stansted Airport by Mr Sunak before travelling to Downing Street and then Buckingham Palace.
