Trump cools down on Britain after King Charles meets with Zelenskyy, media report
Photo: US President Donald Trump (GettyImages)
US President Donald Trump cools relations with the UK after King Charles III meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Sandringham. Washington believes the meeting made Trump feel "less special," according to the Daily Mail.
Donald Trump felt "less special" after UK King Charles III hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Sandringham.
Diplomatic sources in Washington told the Daily Mail that the British monarch's gesture created tension in US-UK relations.
According to sources, Trump's allies made it clear to US officials in the UK that the photos of the king with Zelenskyy had irritated those around the former president, especially in light of Trump's recent invitation to London for a state visit.
However, in response, the Republican's allies were told that the British government cannot dictate to the king whom to meet with.
Meeting with King Charles III
The meeting between King Charles and Zelenskyy took place last Sunday, just a few days after the leader of the UK Labour Party, Keir Starmer, extended an invitation to Trump for a state visit on behalf of the king. Zelenskyy's visit to Sandringham came after his participation in a defense summit with European leaders.
This gesture of support for Ukraine by the British monarch coincided with tense communication between Zelenskyy and Trump in the Oval Office, during which the American politician, along with Vice President Jay D. Vance, accused the Ukrainian leader of insufficient gratitude for US military aid.
The following day, King Charles also received Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Sandringham. This meeting took place against the backdrop of Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imports from Canada, adding further tension to relations between the two countries.
Despite statements from British government representatives claiming that official London does not recognize claims of "chilled" relations with Washington, sources from the Daily Mail note that the situation has indeed shifted somewhat after the meetings in Sandringham.
"Things definitely went a bit cool in Washington after Sandringham," the source said. Meanwhile, the British side emphasized that the king himself decides whom to meet, and the meeting with Zelenskyy had been scheduled before the Ukrainian leader's conversation with Trump.
It is worth noting that on March 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with King Charles III at Sandringham Palace.
According to media reports, at about 5:25 PM local time, a military helicopter flew over the residence and landed, bringing the Ukrainian leader. Locals gathered near the estate, some of them holding Ukrainian flags to greet Zelenskyy.
