Ukraine’s 1st lady attends Global Soft Power Summit in London

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska attended the annual Global Soft Power Summit in the British capital Thursday, highlighting the role of first ladies in building soft power.

Speaking at a panel, Zelenska said that first ladies have areas to support national policy and it is their duty to be a mediator between institutions and the public.

"Soft power is rooted in our collective understanding of global challenges," she added.

Earlier, Zelenska met British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty at the Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street.

"I appreciate the humanitarian support from the UK and the medical partnership between our countries," she wrote on X.

She was also received by Queen Camilla at Clarence House, a royal residence in London.

Expressing her pleasure over the meeting, she said: "Our values are common — life, freedom, democracy. Thank you for standing up for them together today."

Zelenska also met with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.