Editorial 03.03.2025
Monday’s front pages are dominated by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the UK – off the back of a bust-up with Donald Trump at the White House.
A meeting of European leaders, dubbed ‘the coalition of the willing, dominates much of the news, as Britain and France set out a four-point plan to help support Ukraine in ending the war. The leaders said Europe will “step up” amid reports the US is seeking to end its role in Nato and the UN.
King Charles is pictured greeting Zelensky at Sandringham. The monarch’s role in the Ukraine crisis is a fascinating one as it has seen him tread lightly into a diplomatic-political role.
The back pages are dominated by Manchester United being knocked out of the FA Cup yesterday as they lost on penalties against Fulham.
‘Britain and France taken over efforts to secure peace deal’
‘Britain and France taken over efforts to secure a peace deal with Russia,’ according to the i.
The i newspaper says Britain and France have “taken over” efforts to secure a peace deal with Russia. The paper’s front page features an image of King Charles and Zelensky meeting at Sandringham and says the King flexed “soft power” in his hour-long meeting with the Ukranian leader after he invited Donald Trump for a state visit.
‘PM and Macron intend to act as bridge to the US in negotiations,’ reports The Times.
The Times says the PM and French president Macron intend to act as a “bridge” to the US in negotiations about an agreement. The paper says there are growing signs that the relationship between Ukraine and the US is continuing to crumble after allies of Trump suggested on Sunday that Zelensky would have to resign as president as part of any deal to end the war in Ukraine.
‘PM is happy post-Brexit Britian has a role to play on global stage,’ say The Guardian.
The Guardian says the PM’s plan would “counter-balance” talks already under way between the US and Russia – which have not involved Ukraine nor European countries. The main objective is to secure an American security guarantee, but the government are happy that post-Brexit Britain can still play a key role on the global stage, according to government sources who spoke to the paper.
‘Zelensky needs to learn to play the game like the PM,’ says The Times.
The Times reports that senior allies of Starmer suggest that Zelensky should learn from the PM’s approach. The sources tell the paper that Zelensky needs to “play the game”, saying “, Trump wants respect.”
‘European leaders to increase defence spending in next few days,’ says The Telegraph.
The Telegraph says European leaders are expected to announce major increases in defence spending in the coming days. It says there are several ideas being considered ahead of the European Council meeting on Thursday, including easing the EU’s fiscal rules to allow greater public spending and pooling common debt to buy arms.
‘Germany and Spain amongst countries not willing to join coalition,’ says The FT.
The FT says Germany, Spain and Poland are so far amongst the countries who have not offered to join the coalition of the willing.
‘King meets Zelensky’
‘Meeting with King a pointed show of support,’ says the Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail reports on Zelensky’s meeting with King Charles at Sandringham. The paper suggests the King “threw a protective arm” around Zelensky and the meeting was a “pointed show of support” and notes that Trump last week described Charles as a “beautiful man.”
‘A simple handshake said all that was needed,’ reports the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror says a simple handshake between the pair said all that was needed.
‘Locals waved Ukrainian flags as Zelensky meets with King,’ report the Metro.
The Metro says, “send him victorious”, marking the third meeting between them since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The paper says locals waved Ukrainian flags as Zelensky arrived at Sandringham by helicopter.