Missiles and new jets: video and details of Zelensky's meeting with Sunak and Charles III (photos, video)
On February 8, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived on an official visit to the United Kingdom. In London, he meets with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and will meet with King Charles III.
Zelenskyy also plans to visit the Ukrainian military undergoing training in the UK and address the British Parliament. This was reported by the UK government and the British media.
"President Zelenskyy'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," Rishi Sunak commented on the meeting.
Rishi Sunak met Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the airport. The British prime minister posted a photo of the meeting, adding the caption "Welcome to Britain, President Zelenskyy".
The President of Ukraine commented on his business trip:
"The UK was one of the first countries to come to the aid of Ukraine. And today I am in London to personally thank the British people for their support and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership," Zelenskyy said.
Around 12:20, it became known that the plane with the Ukrainian delegation had already arrived in Britain. The Royal Air Force plane carrying President Zelenskyy landed at Stansted Airport.
At around 13:30, Zelenskyy and Sunak arrived at the British Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street.
At around 2pm, Zelenskyy and Sunak arrived at the British Parliament. Zelenskyy's visit to Britain is broadcast online by British media.
Rishi Sunak said that the UK is increasing funding for its armed forces. An additional £24 billion will be spent on the UK's defence and fulfilment of its commitments to NATO.
"We remain a leading European ally of NATO, as we always have, and we are continuing to increase funding for our armed forces by £24 billion to ensure that we not only meet our NATO commitment but also spend 2% of GDP on our defence," said Rishi Sunak.
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During his meeting with Zelenskyy, the UK Prime Minister is expected to announce the supply of longer-range weapons to Ukraine, as well as an expanded training programme for Ukrainian forces, including pilot training for modern Western fighter jets.
"Since 2014, the UK has been providing vital training to the Ukrainian forces, enabling them to defend their country, their sovereignty and fight for their territory. I am proud that today we will extend this training from soldiers to marines and fighter pilots, ensuring that Ukraine has a military capable of defending its interests in the future. It also underlines our commitment not only to providing military equipment in the short term, but also a long-term commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine for years to come," Sunak said before Zelenskyy's arrival.
A number of British media outlets report that, in addition to the head of the British government, Zelenskyy will meet with British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and the UK's defence and security chiefs. The main topic of the meeting will be the details of training for Ukrainian soldiers.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also meet with King Charles III of the United Kingdom in London. This was reported by The Guardian on Wednesday, February 8. Details of the meeting between the British king and the president of Ukraine are not yet known
"The King will hold an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today, Buckingham Palace has said," the report said.
The UK also intends to announce new sanctions against Russia today, targeting those who helped Putin build his personal fortune and companies that profit from the Kremlin's "war machine".
The visit to London was the second foreign trip of the Ukrainian president after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier, it was reported that the UK would provide Ukraine with the largest military aid package.
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