King Charles’s personal diplomacy is being credited with helping shift Donald Trump’s stance on the war in Ukraine, after private conversations during last week’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said talks with the monarch were “very important”, suggesting the King’s intervention played a key role in the US President’s unexpected declaration that Ukraine could “fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form”.
Until this week, Mr Trump had insisted Kyiv should give up territory to end the conflict. His change of view came after a packed day with the King at Windsor Castle, where the two men lunched, dined and spoke privately.
Diplomatic sources told The Telegraph it was no coincidence the President’s reversal followed the visit.
King Charles charm offensive sparks Donald Trump’s Ukraine U-turn
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During the Windsor banquet, the King delivered a pointed speech invoking shared wartime history: “Our countries have the closest defence, security and intelligence relationship ever known.
“In two world wars, we fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny. Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace.”
Behind closed doors, the monarch is believed to have pressed Mr Trump on Ukraine’s ability to repel Russia.
Mr Yermak also highlighted the part played by Sir Keir Starmer and senior British officials, adding: “I’d like to mention that it was a great visit of President Trump to the United Kingdom, and I know the position of His Majesty, the position of Prime Minister Starmer and the people whom President Trump met… it was very important.”
Donald Trump pictured with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy
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The influence of the royal setting was not lost on the US leader.
A self-described Anglophile, Mr Trump revelled in the pageantry and later called Charles a “very, very special man”.
Jonathan Powell, Britain’s national security adviser, had days earlier toured Ukrainian frontlines in Kharkiv.
Mr Yermak suggested those briefings helped shape the discussions with Mr Trump.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle as part of their State Visit to the UK
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Donald Trump smiling at Princess Kate during the King's speech
| GETTYFollowing the state visit and a separate meeting with Mr Zelensky at the UN, Mr Trump wrote on social media: “With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, Nato, the original borders from where this war started is very much an option.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told European counterparts that the President’s remarks should be viewed “as positive as possible”, adding that Mr Trump was “really angry” at Vladimir Putin for ignoring his efforts to end the war.
The episode underscores the King’s growing role as a behind-the-scenes diplomat, using the soft power of monarchy and the prestige of royal hospitality to influence global security discussions.