Britain's King Charles III has told the US Congress that sustained Western unity was needed to secure peace in Ukraine, as the war continues to test NATO's resolve.
Charles told Congress on Tuesday that “unyielding resolve” was needed “for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people ... in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.”
He also said the partnership between Europe and America was "more important today than it has ever been."
King Charles and Queen Camilla are on a state visit to the US on April 27-30 at US President Donald Trump's invitation.
The trip celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence and marks Charles's first such visit as king.
Condemning political violence, he said: "Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed," vowing that democratic nations would stand united to protect their people.
Trump hails UK-US ties
Earlier on Tuesday, President Trump said the United States has no closer friend than Britain, as he welcomed King Charles to the White House.
Speaking after a pomp-filled welcome on the South Lawn featuring a 21-gun salute, Trump's tone was a world away from his recent jibes at Starmer for failing to join in against Tehran.
"In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British," said Trump, referring to the fact that the royal visit marks the 250th anniversary of the US colonies declaring their freedom from British rule.
Relations between London and Washington have deteriorated since the beginning of the Middle East war, with Trump lashing out at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's refusal to offer greater backing for the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The king's state visit has been seen as an attempt by London to ease tensions with the Trump administration, which has recently threatened to pull the plug on the US-UK trade deal agreed last year.
