Ukrainian President Zelensky corners Biden at the COP26 royal reception to discuss tensions with Russia amid troop build-up near border after Putin snubbed the Glasgow conference
- Ukrainian President Zelensky said he discussed the conflict in the east of his country with President Joe Biden on Monday evening
- It comes amid a buildup of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border
- The world leaders were at a royal reception at a Glasgow art gallery when Zelensky took his chance
- The conversation was confirmed by a senior Biden administration official
- Prince Charles, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Kate Middleton were also at the event
- Biden was seen talking and laughing with William, with a hand on the prince’s shoulder
- The president appeared more invigorated than earlier in the day when he was caught resting his eyes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky managed to grab a few minutes with President Joe Biden at Monday night’s royal reception for world leaders in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
A fresh buildup of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border has renewed concerns about Moscow’s intentions in the region.
Zelensky tweeted an image of the two leaders together at the event.
Their meeting was not listed on Biden’s public schedule and nor did officials publish a readout of what was discussed, suggesting the Ukrainian leader managed to corner the U.S. president during the event at a Glasgow art gallery.
‘During a conversation with @POTUS in Glasgow, the security situation in Donbas was discussed,’ he said, referring to a region where Ukrainian troops face off against Russian-backed separatists.
‘U.S. continues to support territorial integrity and reforms in Ukraine.’
Washington has been a crucial ally to Minsk ever since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, triggering conflict between Ukrainian troops and separatists.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke to President Joe Biden at a royal reception on Monday at the end of the first day of the COP26 global summit in Glasgow, Scotland
Zelensky said the leaders discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine and domestic reforms
A satellite image released by Maxar Technologies and taken on November 1, 2021 shows the presence of Russian ground forces on the northern edge of the town of Yelnya. The Pentagon is monitoring the Ukraine region closely amid reports of a new buildup of Russian troops
On Tuesday, President Biden hosted a Build Back Better World event to support the developing world’s efforts to tackle climate change. British PM Boris Johnson was among the guests
Videos have emerged in recent days showing Russian military trains and convoys carrying tanks and missiles towards the border.
The Pentagon has said it is monitoring the buildup.
Similar buildups have come and gone in the past without renewed conflict.
But with Russian President Vladimir Putin refusing to attend the COP26 global climate summit, it meant Zelensky had the president’s ear all to himself – at least for a few minutes.
A senior administration official confirmed their conversation.
‘I can confirm they spoke at the reception last night and President Biden reaffirmed our longstanding support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ the official told DailyMail.com.
On his way to Glasgow, Biden’s national security adviser said the U.S. had been monitoring tensions.
We had the opportunity to consult over this past weekend with key allies and partners on the issue of Ukraine and ensuring that we’re defending Ukraine’s — or supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ Jake Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday.
‘We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely.’
Zelensky took his chance as Biden and other leaders rounded of the first day of the summit at a reception hosted by Prince Charles.
Biden was spotted laughing with Prince William, and put a hand on his shoulder at the event at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a short distance from the summit site.
The Duchess of Cambridge was also seen arriving at the event along with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
He appeared more invigorated than earlier in the day when he was caught resting his eyes during the opening session of the UN-sponsored climate summit, which was attended by several world leaders.
After flying in from Rome where he attended the G20, the 78-year-old president looked to be dozing off dozing off as one speaker underscored the importance of taking action to save the climate. He opened his eyes and appeared to liven up when an aide walked up to him to chat.
US officials are concerned by satellite images appearing to show a fresh build-up of Russian troops on the country’s border with Ukraine – but the Kremlin has dismissed the ‘low-quality’ claims. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin
President Joe Biden capped off his first day at the COP26 climate conference on Monday with a royal reception, chatting with Prince William
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, greets Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they arrive to attend an evening reception to mark the opening day of the COP26
President Biden takes a selfie during the reception at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow
The Duchess of Cambridge proved she scrubbed up well in a dazzling evening gown to attend the Earthshot reception at Cop26 in Glasgow tonight.
Biden was laughing and appeared more invigorated than earlier in the day when he was caught resting his eyes during the opening session of the UN-sponsored climate summit, which was attended by several world leaders
‘Earn a place in history’ The Queen’s full speech to world leaders at COP26
‘Thank you, Prime Minister Holness, for your kind words of introduction. I am delighted to welcome you all to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference; and it is perhaps fitting that you have come together in Glasgow, once a heartland of the industrial revolution, but now a place to address climate change.
‘This is a duty I am especially happy to discharge, as the impact of the environment on human progress was a subject close to the heart of my dear late husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
‘I remember well that in 1969, he told an academic gathering: ‘If the world pollution situation is not critical at the moment, it is as certain as anything can be, that the situation will become increasingly intolerable within a very short time … If we fail to cope with this challenge, all the other problems will pale into insignificance.’
‘It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William. I could not be more proud of them. Indeed, I have drawn great comfort and inspiration from the relentless enthusiasm of people of all ages – especially the young – in calling for everyone to play their part.
‘In the coming days, the world has the chance to join in the shared objective of creating a safer, stabler future for our people and for the planet on which we depend.
‘None of us underestimates the challenges ahead: but history has shown that when nations come together in common cause, there is always room for hope. Working side by side, we have the ability to solve the most insurmountable problems and to triumph over the greatest of adversities.
‘For more than seventy years, I have been lucky to meet and to know many of the world’s great leaders. And I have perhaps come to understand a little about what made them special.
‘It has sometimes been observed that what leaders do for their people today is government and politics. But what they do for the people of tomorrow — that is statesmanship. I, for one, hope that this conference will be one of those rare occasions where everyone will have the chance to rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship.
‘It is the hope of many that the legacy of this summit – written in history books yet to be printed – will describe you as the leaders who did not pass up the opportunity; and that you answered the call of those future generations. That you left this conference as a community of nations with a determination, a desire, and a plan, to address the impact of climate change; and to recognise that the time for words has now moved to the time for action.
‘Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today: we none of us will live forever. But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps. And so, I wish you every good fortune in this significant endeavour. ‘
Biden then sat forward and rubbed his eyes as Italy’s prime minister took the stage. It came just hours after his G20 press conference on Sunday night where he reverted to a pre-approved list of reporters to answer questions and fueled further attacks from critics questioning his fitness to be President.
Biden arrived after his first day at the climate summit, where he apologized for his predecessor Donald Trump taking the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord. And he pledged the U.S. would up its financial stake in fighting climate change, arguing the biggest producers of it should be its biggest investors in fixing it.
The Queen was originally supposed to host the event but skipped COP26 on the advice from doctors. In a video-taped address, she urged world leaders to ‘earn a place in history’ and ‘answer the call of those future generations.’
Her Majesty, 95, told leaders ‘to rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship.’
She went on to say that ‘none of us will live forever’ and ‘we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps’ as she urged leaders to reach decisive COP climate change deals.
In her most personal speech ever, the monarch also paid tribute to Prince Philip and described how ‘the impact of the environment on human progress’ was a subject close to the heart of her ‘dear late husband’ – who in 1969 told an academic gathering: ‘If we fail to cope with this challenge, all the other problems will pale into insignificance.’
He stayed for nearly an hour. He even took some selfies with fans.
Kate Middleton looked the picture of poise in a blue coat dress and navy heels as she walked alongside Prince William in a dapper suit at the arrival.
Wearing her hair back in a low bun, the Duchess opted for a glamorous make-up look for the ceremony tonight where she was hosted Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Boris Johnson as well as key members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative and the Winners and Finalists of the first Earthshot Prize Awards.
Her custom dress came from Eponine’s SS20 collection and made from a double wool crepe fabric, the price is available on application but similar dresses cost around $3,278.
Meanwhile, Camilla, 74, opted for a teal Bruce Oldfield featuring buttons recycled from another outfit.
William and Kate’s appearance comes just hours after royal couple, both 39, visited Alexandra Park Sports Hub in Dennistoun to meet with Scouts from and learn more about the group’s’ #PromiseToThePlanet campaign.
The event marks the first engagement for the couple since they arrived in the Scottish city for the COP26 conference which has brought world leaders together to discuss urgent action on climate change.
Earlier on Monday, Biden delivered his plans for cutting carbon emissions with a dose of hot air on Monday, as organizers of a global climate summit ‘gonged’ him for blasting past his allotted three minutes.
The famously talkative president pushed the benefits of a green economy saying the U.S. would lead by example.
Ignoring the audible warnings, he said the ‘eyes of history’ were on the delegates and unveiled a detailed plan to cut emissions on the path to a net zero carbon economy by 2050.
It will demonstrate to the world, he said, ‘the United States is not only back at the table, but hopefully leading by the power of our example.
‘I know it hasn’t been the case. And that’s why my administration is working overtime to show that our Climate Commitment is action, not words.’
World leaders were told to stick to three minutes for their speeches by organizers.
Transgressors were reminded of the limit by a gong ringing out every minute once their time was up.
Eight times it sounded for Biden.
The warning made little difference and he wrapped up after more than 11 minutes.
Minutes later he did the same thing in a side meeting, speaking for eight minutes when participants had been told to stick to two.
On this occasion, British Prime Minister came to his rescue, saying Biden had not been in the room when the instructions were laid out.
‘Everybody will understand the huge importance of the United States in helping the world to take action and show solidarity,’ he said.
‘I think for that reason alone, I think it was worth allowing the rules … to be bent.’
Administration officials have made clear that U.S. leadership is the theme of their six-day trip to Europe.
They do not say it explicitly but they want to draw a line under the Trump years and and an ‘America First outlook
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, from left, chat at the reception
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, greets Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge as they arrive to attend an evening reception at COP26
President Biden appeared invigorated at the reception
Relaxed royal! Kate laughs as she offers a tub of dead larvae, used as livestock feed, to guests at a reception
Not so sure! William didn’t look pleased as his wife offered him a tub of dead larvae
One is not impressed! Duke of Cambridge looked less than impressed with the offering – while his wife looked delighted
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, (left), speaks to the Duchess of Cornwall during the reception
The Queen urged world leaders to ‘earn a place in history’ and ‘to rise above the politics of the moment in her address to leaders at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow
During the reception, guests heard as the Queen issued a rallying cry to world leaders attending Cop26 urging them to work together in ‘common cause’ to tackle climate change and ‘solve the most insurmountable problems’. William, Kate, Charles and Camilla are pictured watching the speech
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson greeted VIPs at the reception
President Joe Biden, center, poses for a group photo during the leader reception
The world leaders at the COP26 summit look up to the camera and pose for the portrait in the museum lobby
President Joe Biden’s motorcade in Argyle Street, Glasgow, on his way to Kelvingrove Art Gallery
Kate Middleton looked the picture of poise in a blue coat dress and navy heels as she walked alongside Prince William in a dapper suit.
William and Kate joined Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall for the ceremony in Glasgow this evening
After the ceremony, the couple took Instagram to share their delight, writing: ‘Fantastic to finally meet the @EarthshotPrize Finalists in person at @COP26UK
William looked at ease as he chatted with guests at the Earthshot reception in Glasgow today
The couple shared five candid shots from throughout the night of the top members of The Firm liaising with guests. Left: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Right: Prince Charles
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