UK counts on King Charles to influence Trump over Ukraine war

The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III during Trump's visit to the United Kingdom could lay the groundwork for convincing the American leader of the need to exert greater pressure on Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

That is according to Politico, citing well-informed sources, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

According to the outlet, the hope is that the "royal charm offensive" will lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his senior aides to make fresh efforts to persuade Trump he should apply more pressure to Putin in the quest for peace in Ukraine.

Politico notes that political and royal aides expect the issue will be raised behind the scenes at Trump's meeting with King Charles III, while it may not appear on any program for the visit.

A senior defense official said the king is "very close" to the detail of ceasefire negotiations and to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself.

"That gives the prime minister a weapon many other European leaders don't have: a sympathetic monarch who has quietly yet consistently demonstrated his support for Kyiv — and is willing to do his part to push back on U.S. skepticism toward the cause," Politico wrote.

At the same time, Trump "has a deep respect and affection for the royal family," which the state visit is intended to capitalize on.

A former senior UK diplomat said that while the king does not speak publicly about matters of government, he is "adept at finding other ways of showing his views."

"It wouldn't be surprising if he took the opportunity privately to encourage the president to support Ukraine more effectively," the diplomat said.

A royal aide acknowledged the king's interest in Ukraine, noting that he called for a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine in a message of solidarity to mark the country's independence day last month.

Trump will be joined on the trip by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff, meaning there will also be the chance to influence his top diplomats.