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King Charles III delivered a pointed warning about European security during a joint dinner with US President Donald Trump, calling on allies to maintain unified support for Ukraine against what he termed renewed tyranny on the continent.
“Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace,” the British monarch said during Trump’s state visit to the UK.
Trump was observed nodding in response to the king’s remarks but offered no public comment afterward.
The dinner exchange highlighted diplomatic efforts to maintain US commitment to Ukraine. Politico reported that Ukraine’s allies are mobilizing all available resources—including enlisting the King of England—to keep Trump aligned with their position.
Charles drew historical parallels in his address, noting that Britain and the United States had “fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny in two world wars.” He also expressed optimism about expanding economic cooperation beyond the trade agreement signed earlier this year between the two nations.
The royal intervention comes as Trump pursues efforts to end Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, despite Moscow’s continued rejection of ceasefire proposals and ongoing attacks on Ukrainian territory. Russian officials recently announced that peace talks with Kyiv are on “pause.”
Trump has maintained his position that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “is going to have to make a deal” with Russia, reiterating this stance before his UK visit. The US president has not imposed additional sanctions on Russia during his current term.
Zelenskyy conducted his own diplomatic outreach to Britain on 23 June, meeting with King Charles III alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and parliamentary speakers Lindsay Hoyle and Lord John McFall. The Ukrainian leader has met with the British monarch multiple times, including after tensions with Trump earlier this year.
Following his royal engagements, Trump is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Starmer, who is also participating in peace mediation efforts. The royal family has maintained consistent support for Ukraine throughout the war, which experts characterize as an exercise in soft power diplomacy.
European Union member states have unanimously agreed to open negotiations with Canada and the United Kingdom on accessing the bloc’s €150 billion defense investment fund, the Danish EU presidency announced.
The decision to begin talks on the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program was reached without opposition. If agreements are finalized, British and Canadian companies could participate in joint procurement funded through SAFE, supplementing recently signed security and defense partnerships between the EU and both countries.
The move comes as other non-EU nations seek entry into the program. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, whose country aspires to EU membership, told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels on 17 September that he wanted to discuss how Albania could gain SAFE access, Bloomberg reports. Türkiye and South Korea have also requested access to the credit fund.
On 9 September, the EU allocated the €150 billion in SAFE defense credits among 19 countries, with Poland receiving nearly one-third of the funding. Interested countries must submit official applications with investment plans by 30 November 2025. The first credits are expected in early 2026.
The SAFE program was created in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine and the need to strengthen European defense. It provides member states with long-term, low-interest loans for defense equipment purchases.
Currently, funds are primarily available to companies from EU member countries, while Ukraine holds special status — it cannot receive direct credits but can participate in joint procurement.
Ukraine hopes the EU rearmament program will cover shortfalls in domestic financing for Ukrainian manufacturers starting in early 2026.
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