Rishi Sunak welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky as a hero to the G7

Volodymyr Zelensky flew to the G7 summit yesterday to strike a deal on fighter jets, when it emerged that Britain will train Ukrainian pilots this summer.

The Ukrainian president arrived in Hiroshima to a heroic welcome from world leaders.

Rishi Sunak hugged his co-leader shortly after landing and said; ‘Good to see you. You made it.’ When asked by reporters if it was a good day for Ukraine, Mr. Zelensky smiled, nodded and said, “Thank you very much.”

Government sources revealed last night that the Prime Minister played a vital role in organizing the surprise visit.

He allegedly proposed the idea to President Zelensky a month ago, arguing that it would help him strike a deal to secure Western jets and give him a golden opportunity to put pressure on neutrals’ leaders states like India and Brazil – both of which are present. the G7 – on the side of Ukraine. British officials then floated the idea with their Japanese counterparts that Zelensky would attend, and an invitation was issued.

Rishi Sunak hugged his co-leader shortly after landing and said; ‘Good to see you. You made it’

Upon arrival in Hiroshima, Zelensky tweeted, “Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will come closer today.”

Last night Sunak said: ‘The G7 was once the G8 – Russia was expelled in 2014 for its illegal annexation of Crimea and flagrant violations of human rights and the rule of law.

“Nine years later, it is an incredibly powerful message to have my friend and Ukrainian President Zelensky with us today in Hiroshima.

It tells the world that the G7 is united with the people of Ukraine, despite a terrible attack. And it shows that brute force and oppression will not triumph over freedom and sovereignty. From supplying Challenger tanks to long-range missiles and training pilots, the UK’s support for Ukraine’s defense will never wane. I am pleased that the G7 agrees on the importance of providing President Zelensky with the advanced military equipment needed to win this war and prosper as a free and democratic nation.”

Aside from the summit, Mr. Sunak — who is accompanied by his wife, Akshata Murty on the trip — has been exploring Japanese culture, making traditional okonomiyaki pancakes at a restaurant and dining on sashimi and conger eel rice with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida.

Prime Minister’s wife Akshata Murty attends Day 2 of G7 Summit Husbands Program in Hiroshima, Japan

Last week, President Biden, who is also at the summit, lifted the US ban on countries transferring US F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to conduct combat missions against Putin’s forces.

President Zelensky is in talks with a number of European states that have stocks of F-16s, including Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands. Britain is not sending its Tornado jets, which are deemed too complex to maintain.

But government sources said last night that the UK would be the first to offer to train Ukrainian pilots to fly Western jets.

One source said the first pilots could arrive within two months.

They undergo basic flight training in the UK and are allowed to familiarize themselves with Western standard jets. But then they have to be trained in operating F-16s.