Zelenskyy Slams Russia, Iran, North Korea as "Murderous Coalition" During UK Trip

During a visit to London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labelled Russia, Iran, and North Korea as a “coalition of murderers” while discussing defense cooperation and strategies to further pressure Moscow with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Zelenskyy’s trip came just hours after a major Russian aerial assault on Kyiv, involving 352 drones—many of them Iranian-made Shahed drones—and North Korean ballistic missiles. Describing the attack as “a completely cynical strike,” Zelenskyy reported that at least 10 people were killed and five residential buildings were severely damaged.

“Many drones and missiles were intercepted by our air defense forces, but not all,” he wrote on social media.

He warned neighboring countries of Russia, Iran, and North Korea to seriously consider their own safety if this “coalition of murderers” continues to expand its campaign of terror.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced support for Donald Trump’s missile strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and accused Tehran of aiding Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now entering its fourth year. Ukraine had surrendered its nuclear arsenal in the 1990s in return for security assurances from the US, UK, and Russia—guarantees that ultimately failed to prevent Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion.

According to Ukrainian officials, Zelenskyy’s recent visit to the UK aimed to explore ways to pressure Moscow into ending the war.

His earlier trip in March followed a tense White House meeting where Trump reportedly accused him of risking a global conflict, while Vice President JD Vance criticized him for lacking gratitude.

On Monday, Zelenskyy’s talks in London included discussions on sanctions and the Trump administration’s reluctance to penalize Russia. The administration has also effectively halted US military aid to Ukraine, prompting Kyiv to intensify diplomatic efforts to maintain American support amid signs of a shift toward closer US-Russia ties.

Zelenskyy stated that his London meetings focused on securing “new and powerful measures” to increase pressure on Moscow and stop the attacks. In addition to meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he also visited King Charles at Windsor Castle and Ukrainian troops undergoing military training in the UK.

Zelenskyy is expected to attend this week’s two-day NATO summit in The Hague, where he is scheduled to meet with the alliance’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte. It remains uncertain whether he will hold a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump, who is due to arrive on Tuesday and is anticipated to push for increased defense spending from NATO members.

Since Trump returned to office in January, Russia has significantly intensified its air assaults on Ukraine. The Kremlin has rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and continues to launch strikes targeting civilians. Monday’s attacks hit residential neighborhoods, hospitals, and sports facilities.

The most devastating damage occurred in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, where part of a five-story apartment building collapsed. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that six people were killed in the area. Ten others, including a pregnant woman, were rescued from a nearby high-rise that also suffered extensive damage.

Oleksii Pozychaniuk, 29, a resident living next to the targeted building, described the terrifying moments to the Associated Press. He said he heard a missile approaching and froze in fear before it struck. “The windows shattered, and glass flew everywhere,” he recounted. “We barely made it downstairs with my child. Everything around us was on fire.”