The Ukrainian President arrived in a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III plane and has a day packed with events ahead of him.
He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Downing Street and deliver a speech at the Houses of Parliament.
The president of the war-torn country will also visit Ukrainian troops taking part in the first official training program for Ukraine’s pilots on Western aircraft, which is being held by the British armed forces.
This training will allow the pilots to be able to fly sophisticated NATO-standard jets.
The meeting between President Zelensky and King Charles will take place this afternoon at Buckingham Palace.
His trip comes after Mr. Sunak announced that the UK will send more military equipment to Kyiv that would support a potential new Russian offensive in the spring.
Britain, the Prime Minister also said, would expand training to Ukrainian fighter pilots and marines and promised a long-term investment in Ukraine’s military.
The Ukrainian leader released a brief statement after touching down in north London, saying: “The United Kingdom was one of the first to come to Ukraine’s aid. And today I’m in London to personally thank the British people for their support and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership.”
Upon his arrival, Mr Zelensky was provided high security, with a ring of steel being set up around him while Westminster has been placed on high alert for security threats.
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Since the beginning of the war, Mr. Zelensky has only left his country’s border for an official visit abroad in December, when he headed to Washington.
On Thursday, he is expected to head to Brussels to address the European Parliament and hold a summit with leaders of the European Union.
The Ukrainian president was last in the UK in October 2020, when he held an audience at Buckingham Palace with the current Prince and Princess of Wales.
In the wake of the Russian invasion in February last year, Kate and William tweeted a poignant message recalling that visit, which read: “In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future.
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“Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future.”
Following the Russian invasion, King Charles condemned in no uncertain terms the action ordered by Putin, calling it a “brutal aggression”.
During a visit to Southend-on-Sea on March 1 last year, the then Prince of Wales said: “The values of democracy and freedom are under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way.
“We are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression.”
Charles and Camilla also met a number of Ukrainians living in the UK as well as in Canada as part of their tour across the pond held last year.
