The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, is making a trip to the UK for a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Through a social media post, he announced his forthcoming meeting with his “friend” Mr Sunak for “substantive negotiations”.
On Thursday, the UK made a public announcement about their intention to provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles they asked for, to counter the Russian offensive.
Recently, Mr Zelensky has been engaging in discussions with leaders of Western nations to strengthen Ukraine’s support network.
During the meeting, Mr Sunak indicated they will be “discussing what more we can do to support” Ukraine and Mr Zelensky.
President Zelensky is the first foreign dignitary to have an official meeting with Mr Sunak at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence.
At a brief press conference preceding the meeting, Mr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the UK for their unwavering support to Ukraine since the invasion began.
“We are thankful from all our hearts, from Ukrainians, from our soldiers, we are thankful,” he stated.
Further, he mentioned that their discussion would include “urgent support for the Ukraine.”
Government officials have presented the visit as more of a friendly catch-up rather than formal negotiations, but one source noted “there’s always business to be done.”
Downing Street announced that the UK is set to commit “hundreds” of air defense missiles and drones to enhance Ukraine’s defense later in the day.
No 10 informed that Mr Sunak would emphasize the necessity of rendering comprehensive support to Ukraine.
“We must not let them [Ukraine] down,” stated the Prime Minister, tagging it as “a crucial moment” in Ukraine’s defensive endeavors.
“The front lines of Putin’s war of aggression may be in Ukraine but the fault lines stretch all over the world. It is in all our interest to ensure Ukraine succeeds and Putin’s barbarism is not rewarded.”
It is anticipated that the duration of the meeting between the two leaders will be a few hours at most.
The UK visit is the fourth stop on Mr Zelensky’s European tour, which has included Paris, Berlin, and Rome.
Post discussions in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday, Ukraine was granted a defense aid package valued at $2.93bn (£2.4bn) from Germany, escalating its total military funding to approximately $7bn (£6.44bn).
“The largest since the beginning of the full-scale aggression” by Russia in February 2022, is how Mr Zelensky labeled the recent German commitment of Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems.
Following a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, France pledged additional light tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine.
The US has donated a staggering $46.65bn (£37.35bn) in military aid to Ukraine, outdoing every other country’s contribution. The UK is next in line, having provided $7.16bn (£5.17bn) in military assistance.
In February, Mr Zelensky made his first trip to London since the onset of the war, where he was received by the King and addressed Parliament.
His current UK visit precedes the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, scheduled later this week, which will also be graced by Mr Sunak’s presence.
