“I keep feeling the greatest and deepest 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. My wife and I are delighted to extend our warmest and more sincere wishes to you and all Ukrainians for the coming year.” The letter was signed, “King Charles III.”

A History of Meetings

The exchange of words between the two leaders highlights the ongoing bond between Britain and Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

King Charles and President Zelensky last met on June 26, when the Ukrainian leader was welcomed to Windsor Castle for a private audience and lunch. They were photographed walking together through the Grand Corridor, with Charles in a grey suit and Zelensky in his familiar black attire.

This marked their second meeting of the year, following an encounter in March at Sandringham House in Norfolk, where they spent an hour taking tea in the Saloon room.

The King and Zelensky have now met on several occasions since the war began, including at Buckingham Palace in February 2023 and later at the European Political Community summit in Oxfordshire in July 2024. Their Windsor meeting came just before Zelensky’s talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London and shortly after his tense exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House.