Zelensky visits the UK for talks with Rishi Sunak and King Charles TODAY
>
Zelensky lands in UK: Ukrainian president touches down at Stansted airport ahead of meeting Rishi Sunak at Downing Street and King Charles at Buckingham Palace, as PM promises to train Kyiv’s fighter jet pilots
- Volodymyr Zelensky visits the UK for the first time since the invasion of Russia
- Rishi Sunak vows to train Ukrainian forces how to fly NATO fighter jets
Volodymyr Zelensky touched down on British soil this morning as the Ukrainian President pays his first visit to the UK since the invasion by Russia.
Before the meetings with Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex.
He will meet the Prime Minister at Downing Street, proceed to the Houses of Parliament and have an audience with the monarch at Buckingham Palace.
Zelensky will also take advantage of the surprise visit to meet with some of his Ukrainian troops who are being trained in Britain.
It comes as Sunak promised additional military support for Ukraine, including training for the country’s fighter jet pilots.
This could pave the way for Ukrainian forces to fly sophisticated NATO-standard jets, a key request from Zelensky.
Before the meetings with Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Volodymyr Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex.
The Ukrainian president visits the UK today for the first time since Russia invaded his country
Sunak traveled to Ukraine to meet Zelensky in November, shortly after he became prime minister.
Ahead of their subsequent talks, Mr Sunak said: “President Zelensky’s visit to the UK is a testament to his country’s courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unwavering friendship between our two countries.”
“Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, enabling them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory.
“I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring that Ukraine has a military capable of defending its interests in the future.
“It also underscores our commitment to not just provide military equipment in the short term, but a long-term promise to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine for years to come.”
Some 10,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained in the UK in the last six months.
The first troops arrived in Britain last week to learn to command Challenger 2 tanks, following the prime minister’s decision to provide the kit.
The government will also announce new sanctions today in response to Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine.
No10 said that will include targeting “those who have helped Putin build his personal wealth and companies that are profiting from the Kremlin’s war machine.”
Ukrainian pilots will be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated NATO fighter jets in the latest show of support for Zelensky’s forces.
The UK will also offer an intermediate training program for Ukrainian marines and has promised an “immediate increase” in military equipment, including long-range weapons.
Downing Street said the government is following a “two-pronged” approach, with more military equipment now to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support for the future.
Although Ukraine is desperate for fighter jets to counter the Russian air force, the length of training required means No 10 has said the pilot program is a “long-term investment in capability.”
The training will ensure that the pilots can fly sophisticated NATO-standard fighter jets in the future.
While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, older F-16s widely operated by other NATO countries are more likely to be supplied to Ukraine, should Western leaders agree to Zelensky’s requests.