King Charles praised as ‘true inspiration’ by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in heartfelt message to monarch

King Charles has been praised as a “true inspiration” by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a heartfelt message to the British monarch.

The statement was made in response to the King’s well wishes to mark Ukrainian Independence Day.

“I am grateful to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his cordial wishes to all Ukrainians on our Independence Day,” Mr Zelensky began in his address shared on social media.

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“His Majesty’s kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war.

“We appreciate the United Kingdom’s leadership in supporting Ukraine and our just cause: to defend freedom from tyranny and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe,” the message concluded.

August 24 is observed by Ukrainians, marking their declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

To commemorate the occasion, King Charles has sent a letter to the Mr Zelensky Ukrainian people.

“Dear Mr President! My wife and I sincerely congratulate you and the people of Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day,” Charles began.

“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.

“King Charles III,” the monarch signed off.

The exchange of messages come as Ukrainian independence has been brought into focus since Russia’s full scale invasion of the nation in 2022.

King Charles and Mr Zelensky last met when the Ukrainian President was received at Windsor Castle on June 26 for a private audience and lunch.

The pair were photographed walking together through the castle's Grand Corridor, with the King dressed in a grey suit whilst Mr Zelensky wore his characteristic black attire.

It marked the second meeting between the King and Mr Zelensky this year, following their March encounter at Sandringham House in Norfolk where they took tea in the property's Saloon room for an hour.

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Charles and the Ukrainain leader have met on multiple occasions since Russia's invasion, including at Buckingham Palace in February 2023 and at the European Political Community summit in Oxfordshire in July 2024.

Their June meeting preceded Mr Zelensky's afternoon talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London.

It followed soon after a clash between Mr Zelesnky and US President Trump in the White House.