Ukraine president visits UK for surprise meeting

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, is in the UK to meet Rishi Sunak, the prime minister.

He promised to meet with his “friend” Mr. Sunak to conduct “substantive negotiations” in a tweet.

On Thursday, the UK declared that it would give Ukraine the long-range weapons it had asked for to fend off the Russian invasion.

In recent days, Mr. Zelensky has met with Western politicians in an effort to increase support for Ukraine.

“When it comes to increasing our capabilities on the ground as well as in air, the UK is a leader. This collaboration will carry on today, he tweeted.

During the discussions at Chequers, the prime minister’s official country residence, No. 10 predicted that Mr. Sunak would stress the significance of offering Ukraine a comprehensive package of support.

The prime minister stressed that it was “a crucial moment” in Ukraine’s military effort and that “we must not let them [Ukraine] down.”

“Putin’s war of aggression may have its front lines in Ukraine, but the world’s faultlines run deep. Making sure Ukraine succeeds and Putin’s savagery is not rewarded is in all of our interests.

According to sources in government, the visit was more of a catch-up and courtesy than a negotiation, but one source did add, “There’s always business to be done.”

The UK would confirm “hundreds” of air defense drones and missiles later today, according to Downing Street.

It is anticipated that the two leaders’ meeting won’t take longer than a few hours.
The UK will be Mr. Zelensky’s fourth destination on a tour of Europe that has included meetings in Paris, Berlin, and Rome.

Following discussions with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday in Berlin, Germany agreed to provide Ukraine with a fresh defense aid package of €2.7 billion (£2.4 billion).

The fresh shipment of German Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems, according to Mr. Zelensky, is “the largest since the beginning of the full-scale aggression” by Russia in February 2022.

After President Emmanuel Macron met with his colleague from Ukraine in Paris, France later pledged to supply dozens more light tanks and armored vehicles.

Mr. Zelensky made his first trip to London since the war began in February, during which he spoke to Parliament and had an audience with the King.

Prior to this week’s G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, where Mr. Sunak will also be present, he paid a visit to the UK.

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