Zelensky lands in UK to meet Rishi Sunak

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is arriving in the UK to see Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

He wrote that he would meet his “friend” Mr Sunak for “substantive talks.”

Volodymyr Zelensky surprises Rishi Sunak by visiting the UK:

The UK declared on Thursday that it would provide Ukraine with the long-range rockets it had asked to fight the Russian attack. Mr Zelensky has lately met Western leaders aiming to strengthen aid for Ukraine.

At the meeting, Mr Sunak said the two would be “discussing what more we can do to help” Mr Zelensky and Ukraine. The Ukrainian prime minister is the first foreign notable to meet Mr Sunak at Chequers, the prime minister’s official national residence.

Mr Zelensky appreciated the UK’s help shown to Ukraine since the attack during a short press conference ahead of the talks.

“We are grateful from all our hearts, from Ukrainians, from our fighters, we are thankful,” he stated. He continued the two will “discuss urgent help for Ukraine.”

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Government officials have described the visit as a courtesy and a catch-up rather than a meeting. One source said, “There’s always work to be done.”

Downing Street confirmed the UK would ensure “hundreds” of air defence rockets and drones to help Ukraine’s defence later today.

No 10 said Mr Sunak would repeat the significance of providing a complete package of aid to Ukraine. “We must not let them [Ukraine] down,” the prime minister announced, continuing it was “a crucial moment” in Ukraine’s war action.

“The front lines of Putin’s battle of aggression may be in Ukraine, but the fault lines extend worldwide. We want to assure Ukraine succeeds and Putin’s barbarism is not rewarded.”

The talks between the two prime ministers are predicted not to last more than a few hours.

Mr Zelensky’s tour to the UK will be the fourth European visit, with meetings in Paris, Berlin and Rome.