Zelensky Makes Visit to UK: Ukraine War Live Updates
Image President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in Germany on Sunday. Credit... Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images
LONDON — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain on Monday pledged to provide a large package of missiles and attack drones to Ukraine, ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who over the weekend secured promises of billions of dollars in additional military aid from European allies.
Mr. Zelensky, who has been on a whirlwind tour of Europe to shore up support ahead of a counteroffensive against Russia, will meet with Mr. Sunak at his country residence, Chequers, outside London later Monday. The Ukrainian president described the meetings as “substantive negotiations” and referred to Mr. Sunak as “my friend Rishi.”
In a statement, the prime minister’s office said that in addition to cruise missiles announced last week, Britain would deliver “hundreds of air defense missiles and further unmanned aerial systems,” including long-range drones.
Britain provided about $2.8 billion of military assistance to Ukraine in 2022, making it one of Kyiv’s largest backers. Mr. Sunak also promised to start training Ukrainian fighter pilots this summer, though he has yet to commit to sending British fighter jets to Ukraine. Instead, Britain has said it will help other countries that supply combat aircraft by providing support systems. Today – London. The UK is a leader when it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air. This cooperation will continue today. I will meet my friend Rishi. We will conduct substantive negotiations face-to-face and in delegations. — Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 15, 2023 Mr. Zelensky’s visit to Britain comes after he traveled over the weekend to Italy, Germany, and France, meeting with Pope Francis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, and President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. On Saturday, Germany announced an arms package of almost $3 billion and on Sunday, France also pledged more weaponry for Ukraine. The British government confirmed last week that it would begin supplying Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles, continuing its policy of being on the vanguard in providing the Ukrainian army heavier weapons to fight Russian forces. The missiles, which are known as Storm Shadow and have a range of more than 155 miles, would “allow Ukraine to push back Russian forces based in Ukrainian sovereign territory,” according to Britain’s defense secretary, Ben Wallace. Britain, with its aggressive approach, has often acted as a catalyst for other Western countries to supply Ukraine with heavier weapons. Its decision to send a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks foreshadowed decisions by Germany and the United States to send more sophisticated tanks. “This is a crucial moment in Ukraine’s resistance to a terrible war of aggression they did not choose or provoke,” Mr. Sunak said in a statement. “They need the sustained support of the international community to defend against the barrage of unrelenting and indiscriminate attacks that have been their daily reality for over a year.” Mr. Zelensky’s tour comes just before European leaders hold a summit meet this week in Reykjavik, Iceland. Later in the week, leaders will reconvene in Japan for a meeting of the Group of Seven countries, where the war will likely figure prominently in discussions. The Ukrainian leader last visited Britain in February, delivering an emotional speech in Westminster Hall, where he pleaded for NATO countries to supply Ukraine with fighter jets. Mr. Sunak has said fighter jets are on the table, but has not yet taken that step.
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Source: The New York Times
