Zelenskyj demands delivery of fighter jets in London

Ukraine blog

Almost exactly a year ago Russia the Ukraine attacked and fierce fighting is still raging, especially in the east of the country. Westerners expect February 24 to be the anniversary of the outbreak of war secret services with a renewed offensive by Russia.

Germany, the USA and other NATO countries will supply battle tanks to Ukraine. The first German delivery is expected in March. In addition, Ukraine is to be admitted to the EU and thus receive even better protection. But there is still a long way to go.

Here you will find everything you need to know about the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.

February 8th

1:59 p.m .: Selenskyj demands delivery of combat aircraft in London

During his speech to parliamentarians in London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again called on his country’s allies to deliver combat aircraft. “I appeal to you and the world … for fighter jets for Ukraine, wings for freedom,” Zelenskyi told members of both houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday in Westminster Hall.

Later Selenskyj for an audience with King Charles III. at Buckingham Palace and to visit Ukrainian recruits serving in Great Britain are expected to be trained. London was always ahead when it came to delivering even heavier items weapons went and put the allies, not least Berlin, under pressure.

Selenskyj had landed at Stansted Airport in north-east London in the morning. The British government had announced his visit to Great Britain shortly beforehand. It is Zelenskyy’s second visit abroad since Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine began almost a year ago.

5.01 a.m .: Selenskyj thanks Germany for new tank deliveries

In the future, Ukraine should be able to use several battalions of heavy battle tanks from Western armories against the Russian invaders. In addition to the already promised Leopard 2 tanks from a number of western countries, as well as the M1 Abrams from the USA and Challenger 2 from Great Britain, several European countries want to supply more than 100 older Leopard 1 main battle tanks to Ukraine.

Some of the Leopard 1 tanks from German industrial stocks still have to be repaired before delivery.Image: dpa / Constanze Emde

“I thank Germany and all our partners for their support,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his daily video address on Tuesday evening. The delivery will not outperform the Russian invaders on the battlefield, but will at least achieve par with their armed forces.

Selenskyj had previously met with Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Kyiv and talked to him about the current situation in Ukraine. “We are doing everything we can to keep the airspace clear, to ensure that our soldiers have strong tanks and that our artillery is as good as that of the occupiers,” said the president. The leadership in Kyiv is currently following “what the occupiers are preparing” with the greatest attention. The situation around Donetsk in eastern Ukraine is currently “the hottest”.

You can find older news about the war in Ukraine here.

(nik/with material from dpa and afp)