Zelensky lands in UK: Ukraine’s president lands at Stansted Airport before meeting Rishi Sunak at Downing Street and King Charles at Buckingham Palace – as PM vows to train Kiev’s fighter jet pilots
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the UK for the first time since the Russian invasion
- Rishi Sunak promises to train Ukraine’s armed forces on how to fly NATO fighter jets
Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed on British soil this morning as the Ukrainian President visited Britain for the first time since the Russian invasion.
Mr Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex ahead of meetings with Rishi Sunak and King Charles.
He will meet the Prime Minister at Downing Street, address Parliament and have an audience with the Monarch at Buckingham Palace.
Mr Zelensky will also use the surprise visit to meet with some of his Ukrainian troops who are being trained in the UK.
It comes as Mr Sunak pledged additional military support to Ukraine, including training the country’s fighter jet pilots.
This could pave the way for Ukrainian forces to fly sophisticated NATO-standard jets, a key demand from Mr Zelenskyy.
Before the meetings with Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Volodymyr Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex
The Prime Minister welcomed the President of Ukraine to the UK this morning as he visits the country for the first time since the Russian invasion
Mr. Sunak traveled to Ukraine to meet Mr. Zelenskyy in November, shortly after he became prime minister
Ahead of their later talks, Mr Sunak said: “President Zelenskyy’s visit to the UK is a testament to the courage, determination and struggle of his country and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries.
“Since 2014, the UK has been providing Ukraine’s armed forces with vital training, enabling them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory.
“I am proud that today we are expanding that training from soldiers to include marines and fighter jet pilots, and ensuring Ukraine has a military capable of defending its interests well into the future.
Britain wants to train Ukrainian fighter pilots
Ukrainian pilots are to be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated NATO fighter jets in the latest demonstration of support for Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces.
The UK will also offer an intermediate training program for Ukrainian marines and has promised an “immediate increase” in military hardware, including longer-range weapons.
The latest announcements came as President Zelenskyy visited the UK for the first time since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Downing Street said the government was taking a “two-pronged” approach, with more military equipment to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support going forward.
Although Ukraine desperately needs fighter jets to counter the Russian air force, the length of training required means No. 10 said the pilot program is a “long-term investment in skills.”
The training ensures that future pilots will be able to fly sophisticated fighter jets that meet NATO standards.
While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, the older F-16 jets, widely operated by other NATO countries, are more likely to be delivered to Ukraine if Western leaders agree to Zelenskyy’s demands should agree.
“It also underscores our commitment to providing military equipment not just in the short-term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the years to come.”
Around 10,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained in the UK over the past six months.
The first troops arrived in the UK last week to learn how to command Challenger 2 tanks after the Prime Minister decided to provide the kit.
The government will also announce today further sanctions in response to Russia’s continued bombing of Ukraine.
No10 said this will include targeting “those who helped Putin build his personal wealth and companies that profit from the Kremlin’s war machine.”
Ukrainian pilots are to be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated NATO fighter jets in the latest demonstration in support of Mr Zelenskyy’s forces.
The UK will also offer an intermediate training program for Ukrainian marines and has promised an “immediate increase” in military hardware, including longer-range weapons.
Downing Street said the government was taking a “two-pronged” approach, with more military equipment to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support going forward.
Although Ukraine desperately needs fighter jets to counter the Russian air force, the length of training required means No. 10 said the pilot program is a “long-term investment in skills.”
The training ensures that future pilots will be able to fly sophisticated fighter jets that meet NATO standards.
While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, the older F-16 jets, widely operated by other NATO countries, are more likely to be delivered to Ukraine if Western leaders agree to Zelenskyy’s demands should agree.