The two met in the same room from which Winston Churchill’s famous speeches were broadcast during World War II.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after a meeting on Monday that the day Ukraine will receive modern fighter jets from Western countries is getting closer all the time.
Sunak promised during the meeting that Britain would begin preparations for training Ukrainian pilots. However, he added that delivering the fighter jets to Ukraine was not a “straightforward affair”.
According to the BBC, Sunak’s spokesman later said Britain had no intention of supplying fighter jets to Ukraine. However, according to Sunak, Britain is in a “vital position” in the coalition that could potentially provide such assistance.
Sunak received Zelensky on Monday at the British prime minister’s official country residence in Chequers. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service / Zuma / MV Photo
Even before the meeting, Sunak announced that Britain would provide Ukraine with hundreds of anti-aircraft missiles and long-range drones, in addition to previous military aid. The latter is said to be capable of striking at ranges of over 200 km.
Ukraine is to receive new British weapons in the coming months. Britain recently announced that it has also supplied long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Read more: Britain gives a big blow to Ukraine – it can attack important targets of Crimean Peninsula
Sunak met with Zelensky at the Prime Minister’s country residence in Chequers. The two held talks in the same room from which famous World War II British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s speeches were broadcast.
In the same way, your leadership, the courage and strength of your country inspire all of us, Sunak told Zelensky.
Russia rejected the announcement of British arms aid, saying it would only cause more destruction to Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Britain hoped to be in a position to lead countries that continue to pour arms into Ukraine.
According to Sunak, Monday’s discussion formed the basis for both the European Council meeting in Iceland and the G7 summit in Japan. Ukraine is a central topic at both meetings this week.
According to Sunak, it is now important not to leave Ukraine alone.
Sunak argued that the front lines of Putin’s war of aggression may run in Ukraine, but the cracks it has caused extend across the world.
On Sunday, France announced it would donate more armored vehicles and light tanks to Ukraine’s armed forces in the coming weeks. Among the dozens of vehicles to be delivered are the AMX-10 RC combat vehicles. France is also planning to provide the necessary training to operate the vehicles.
