Supporters welcome Zelensky's Sandringham visit

The president of Ukraine's meeting with King Charles at his Norfolk home has been welcomed by local people and Ukrainians living in the county.

Volodymyr Zelensky was in London at a summit prior to his trip to the Royal Sandringham Estate on Sunday, where he had an hour-long private audience with the King.

His visit followed a political fall-out between him, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on Friday.

More than 30 people waving Ukrainian flags gathered on the estate to await Zelensky's arrival, and the BBC spoke to some of them.

Olena Batista, 42, lives in King's Lynn. The housing association worker has been in the UK for almost 22 years, but since the invasion of Ukraine, her parents - who live near Lviv - have spent more time with her in Norfolk.

Ms Batista expressed her thanks to the people of the UK "for their military and humanitarian support" for her country.

She said the King meeting Zelensky was "very, very important".

"All other Ukrainian people living here are really, really grateful," she said.

"The gesture from King Charles is really important for us, because it is showing solidarity with Ukraine. It's amazing what he's done."

Alison Cook and Robert Warwicker, two friends who live in a village nearby, decided to show their support by coming to Sandringham after they heard Zelensky was visiting.

Ms Cook said: "It seemed like an opportunity not to be missed really.

"Having seen what's been going on in the press in recent days especially, we just wanted to come along and show or support."

Neither have any affiliation with Ukraine, and Mr Warwicker said the fall-out between the leaders had left him feeling "rather helpless".

He said it was "a sense of right and wrong" that had prompted him to turn up.

Yuliia Peak, 35, is originally from Mariupol but has been living in King's Lynn for 18 years.

Her mother joined her when the war broke out.

Ms Peak said the meeting with the King was important.

"It's saying how much support they are offering our country," she said.

"Ammunition and all that stuff is great but support is much bigger."

Ms Peak felt quite fearful of the changes between the US and her President, describing the event as "antagonistic".

"We knew when Trump got the post [of president], the whole support, everything is going to flip," she said.

Her mother Larysa Khlopetsa, 62, said the president's meeting with King Charles was significant after the "unfortunate meeting with the USA".

She added the support of the King "means more than anything else."

Her words were translated by her daughter.

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