On Wednesday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly arrived in London to ask for additional military support in the midst of the Russian aggression his country has been facing for a year.
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Zelensky was greeted upon landing in the British capital by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with whom he travelled to 10 Downing Street. He later addressed Parliament in Westminster Hall. He thanked the UK for its support and asked for additional efforts to provide his country with more military equipment. It was only the second time that the Ukrainian leader made it to London since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago.
“President Zelensky’s visit to the UK is a testament to his country’s courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries […] Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory” – Sunak told the media.
The diplomatic trip comes as Zelensky has been desperately asking for more military aid from Western powers as Moscow is expected to intensify its offensive in spring.
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On the occasion of the surprise visit, the UK announced its readiness to send additional military equipment to Kyiv in the upcoming weeks. Rishi Sunak assured that Britain would expand training to Ukrainian marines and fighter pilots, as well as a long-term investment in the military forces of Ukraine.
As CNN reports, Britain will start training Ukrainian pilots on NATO-standard fighter jets, in what would be the first official training program for Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter aircraft.
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Amid Zelensky’s visit, a new series of sanctions toward Russia were announced by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. The new sanctions package targets several entities providing strategic military equipment to the Russian armed forces. Hundreds of Russian entities and have already been hit by British and international sanctions since last February, according to data provided by the UK government.
At the moment of writing, Zelensky is meeting with his majesty King Charles III in Buckingham Palace.
Image: Twitter (@RishiSunak)
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
