Zelensky visiting the UK for talks with Rishi Sunak and King Charles TODAY
Zelensky touches down in the UK: Ukrainian president lands at Stansted Airport ahead of meeting Rishi Sunak in Downing Street and King Charles at Buckingham Palace – as PM vows to train Kyiv’s fighter jet pilots
- Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the UK for the first time since Russia’s invasion
- Rishi Sunak is vowing to train Ukraine forces in how to fly Nato fighter jets
Volodymyr Zelensky touched down on British soil this morning as the Ukrainian President makes his first visit to the UK since Russia’s invasion.
Ahead of meetings with both Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Mr Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex.
He is due to meet the Prime Minister in Downing Street, address the Houses of Parliament, and hold an audience with the monarch at Buckingham Palace.
Mr Zelensky will also use the surprise visit to meet with some of his Ukrainian troops being trained in Britain.
It comes as Mr Sunak pledged extra military support for Ukraine, including the training of the country’s fighter jet pilots.
This could pave the way for Ukrainian forces to fly sophisticated Nato-standard jets, a key request by Mr Zelensky.
Ahead of meetings with both Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Volodymyr Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex
The PM welcomed the Ukrainian President to the UK this morning, as he visits for the first time since Russia’s invasion
Mr Sunak travelled to Ukraine to meet Mr Zelensky in November, shortly after he became PM
Ahead of their talks later, 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 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.
‘I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future.
‘It also underlines our commitment to not just provide military equipment for the short term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for years to come.’
Some 10,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained in the UK in the past six months.
The first troops arrived in Britain last week to learn how to command Challenger 2 tanks, following the PM’s decision to provide the kit.
The Government will also announce further 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 who are profiting from the Kremlin’s war machine’.
Ukrainian pilots are to be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated Nato fighter planes in the latest show of support for Mr Zelensky’s forces.
The UK will also offer an intermediate training programme for Ukrainian marines and has promised an ‘immediate surge’ of military equipment including longer-range weapons.
Downing Street said the Government is following a ‘two-pronged’ approach, with more military kit now to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support for the future.
Although Ukraine is desperate for fighter jets immediately to counter the Russian air force, the length of the required training means that No 10 has said the pilot programme is a ‘long-term capability investment’.
The training will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard fighter jets in the future.
While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, the older F-16s widely operated by other Nato countries are more likely to be supplied to Ukraine, should Western leaders agree to Mr Zelensky’s requests.