President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in the UK on Monday during his frenetic European tour. Kyiv’s staunch ally pledged to provide Ukraine with hundreds more missiles and attack drones to alter the war’s course. Zelenskyy arrived by helicopter at Chequers, the official country retreat of the British leader, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak greeted him. This is Zelenskyy’s second journey to the United Kingdom since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelenskyy thanked the United Kingdom for its support thus far and stated that his discussions with Sunak would focus on “critical issues, urgent support for Ukraine.”
He stated that the conflict was crucial for the security of all of Europe, not just Ukraine.
Sunak told Zelenskyy, “Your leadership, as well as your country’s bravery and fortitude, inspire us all.”
Zelenskyy’s Europe tour continues.
In recent days, Zelenskky has visited four European countries. As Ukraine prepares for a long-anticipated spring offensive to recapture territory occupied by Russia, he seeks additional assistance.
Ukraine’s leader paid an unannounced visit to Paris on Sunday evening to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron; following unannounced journeys to Germany and Italy, he met with the leaders of those nations and Pope Francis.
On Monday, Zelenskyy’s official Telegram Channel posted the following message: “Today — London. When it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air, the United Kingdom is in the lead. Today, this cooperation will continue. I’ll meet up with my acquaintance Rishi. We will conduct substantive face-to-face and delegated negotiations.”
The United Kingdom has become one of Ukraine’s most important military allies, providing the country with short-range missiles and Challenger tanks and educating 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers on British soil. The United Kingdom announced last week that it had sent Ukraine cruise missiles with a range of more than 250 kilometres (150 miles) — the first documented shipment of this weaponry from its allies, which Kyiv has long sought.
