LIVE – War in Ukraine: Zelensky explains being in London "to thank the British"

The Reuters agency indicates that Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Brussels on Thursday, where a European Union summit is to take place, according to statements by a European diplomat, confirming information relayed since Monday by several media.

The spokesman for the President of the European Council had so far confined himself to indicating that Volodimir Zelensky had been invited by Charles Michel to a future EU summit, without wishing to say more for security reasons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at 10 Downing Street, the official residence and offices of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in London.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised Wednesday to continue to support Ukraine to allow it a “decisive victory (…) this year”, shortly after the arrival in London of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Recalling before Parliament the British offer to train Ukrainian fighter pilots in particular, the head of government declared that “the Chamber can be reassured that we will continue to support Ukraine to enable a decisive military victory on the spot battle this year”.

Olaf Scholz continued his remarks, even assuring that Ukraine’s future lay within the “European Union”.

“Ukraine belongs to Europe, its future is in the European Union! And this promise counts,” said Olaf Scholz before the Bundestag, before a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke about the war in Ukraine before the Bundestag, the lower house of the local parliament.

He said he was convinced that Vladimir Putin would “not achieve his goals”. “This is the observation that we can make after a year of war”, still judged the Chancellor.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s turn to mark his arrival in the UK on social media.

The UK was one of the first countries to come to Ukraine’s aid. And today I am in London to personally thank the British people for their support and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership.”

The UK also intends to train Ukrainian fighter pilots and marines. The statement said more.

He specified that concerning the first, it would be about “initial training then complementary on planes of the Hawk type”. “To date, London does not have short-term transferable combat aircraft,” justified the Prime Minister’s office.

“The training will ensure that pilots will be able to fly sophisticated NATO-standard combat aircraft in the future. As part of this long-term capability investment, the UK will work with Ukraine and its allies organizations to coordinate collective support to meet Ukraine’s defensive needs.”

“He will also propose to start an immediate training program for the marines,” it concludes.

The Ukrainian President and the British Prime Minister met on the tarmac at Stansted.

“Welcome to the UK President Zelensky,” the Briton tweeted.

THE communicated of the British government also mentioned new concrete forms of support for Ukraine, on the sidelines of the arrival of Volodymyr Zelensky on national soil. “The Prime Minister will offer to provide Ukraine with longer range capabilities,” the UK chief executive’s office promised:

“This will disrupt Russia’s ability to continuously target Ukraine’s critical civilian and national infrastructure and help reduce pressure on Ukraine’s front lines.”

“The UK will also today announce new sanctions in response to Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine, including targeting those who helped Putin build his personal wealth and companies profiting from the war machine. of the Kremlin,” the text added later.

In a press release, and while the Ukrainian president has just landed on English soil on the 10th, Downing revealed the objectives of this visit.

“Leaders will discuss a two-pronged approach to British support for Ukraine, starting with an immediate increase in military equipment in the country to help counter Russia’s spring offensive, and bolstered by a long-term support”, begins the text.

“The Prime Minister will also offer UK support for President Zelensky’s plans to work towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”

“As part of today’s talks, the Prime Minister will offer to strengthen the UK’s training offer for Ukrainian troops,” it added.

Buckingham Palace has announced an additional appointment at Volodymyr Zelensky’s day in the UK. He will be received by King Charles III.

The interview will take place in the afternoon, the palace said without further details.

More information here.

The Ukrainian president has just arrived in the UK.

His plane landed in Stansted, near London.

According to information distilled by THE Telegram, Rishi Sunak will not be the only British leader that Volodymyr Zelensky will meet. He is also due to meet with British defense and security chiefs about the UK’s training program for Ukrainian pilots and marines.

The British Prime Minister should also formalize the immediate launch of the program. 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained in combat there over the past six months.

While Volodymyr Zelensky must take advantage of his brief British stay to review Ukrainian troops being trained there, London has formalized new military support for its ally.

Thus, the United Kingdom took the decision to train Ukrainian fighter pilots.

In the UK, Volodymyr Zelensky will meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, address parliament and visit Ukrainian troops during the visit, Downing Street said in a statement. According to Sky News, his meeting with Rishi Sunak will take place at 11.30 a.m. according to Paris time, and the speech before the House of Commons at 2 p.m. However, no official schedule has been filtered.

London will announce on this occasion to strengthen its support and train fighter pilots.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected in the UK on Wednesday.

It is his second foreign visit since the Russian invasion began nearly a year ago, Downing Street has announced.

Welcome to this direct dedicated to the news around the war in Ukraine.