Top Stories

Ukraine War: Zelensky arrives in UK for surprise meeting with Sunak

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the UK to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

In a tweet, he said he would meet his “friend” Mr Sunak to hold “substantive negotiations”.

Advertisement

The UK announced on Thursday that it would supply Ukraine with the long-range missiles it had requested to fight the Russian invasion.

Mr Zelensky has been meeting Western leaders in recent days seeking to bolster support for Ukraine.

Advertisement

“The UK is a leader when it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air. This cooperation will continue today,” he said on Twitter.

No 10 said Mr Sunak would reiterate the importance of providing a full package of support to Ukraine during the talks at Chequers, the prime minister’s official country residence.

“We must not let them [Ukraine] down,” the prime minister said, adding it was “a crucial moment” in Ukraine’s war effort.

Advertisement

“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.”

Those in government have characterised the visit as a courtesy and a catch-up, rather than a negotiation, the BBC has been told, though one source added “there’s always business to be done”.

Advertisement

Downing Street said the UK would confirm “hundreds” of air defence missiles and drones to help Ukraine’s defence later today.

It is expected that the meeting between the two leaders will not last more than a couple of hours.

Advertisement

Mr Zelensky’s trip to the UK will be the fourth stop on a European tour that included meetings in Paris, Berlin and Rome.

Ukraine secured a new defence aid package worth €2.7bn (£2.4bn) from Germany after talks in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday.

Advertisement

Mr Zelensky described the new tranche of German Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems as “the largest since the beginning of the full-scale aggression” by Russia in February 2022.

Later, France promised dozens more light tanks and armoured vehicles after President Emmanuel Macron met his Ukrainian counterpart in Paris.

Advertisement

In February, Mr Zelensky visited London for the first time since the start of the war, during which he attended an audience with the King and addressed Parliament.

His visit to the UK comes ahead of a G7 gathering in Hiroshima, Japan, later this week which will also be attended by Mr Sunak.

Advertisement
citynews

Recent Posts

Breaking: FIRS Announces Fresh Recruitment, See Eligibility Criteria, Application Deadline

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has begun its recruitment exercise for experienced professionals to…

12 hours ago

Primate Ayodele’s Prophecies For 2025

Primate Elijah Ayodele Unveils 94-Page Prophecy for 2025, Makes Striking Predictions About Nigeria’s Political and…

14 hours ago

Tinubu’s Aide Condemns Plan To Reinstall ‘Jesus Is Not God’ Banner In Lekki Mosque

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Essiet,…

17 hours ago

President Tinubu’s reforms not responsible for food stampedes – FG

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has warned politicians against linking stampedes…

17 hours ago

I will be more influential in Nigeria than UK – Tobi Adegboyega

Tobi Adegboyega, founder of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC Nation), has stated that he…

17 hours ago

Petrol To Sell ₦‎935/Litre From Today – IPMAN

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has said that petrol is going to sell…

17 hours ago