President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is in the United Kingdom to meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
He stated in a tweet that he would meet with his “friend” Mr. Sunak to engage in “substantive negotiations.”
Thursday, the United Kingdom announced that it will provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles it requested to combat the Russian invasion.
In recent days, Mr. Zelensky has met with Western leaders to bolster support for Ukraine.
Mr. Sunak stated that during the meeting, he and Mr. Zelensky would “discuss what else we can do to support Mr. Zelensky and Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian leader is the first foreign dignitary to meet with Mr. Sunak at Chequers, the official country residence of the prime minister.
Mr. Zelensky thanked the UK for supporting Ukraine since the invasion in a brief press conference before the meeting.
“We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts, as Ukrainians and as soldiers,” he said.
He further stated that the two will “discuss urgent support for the Ukraine.”
The government has described the visit as more of a courtesy and catch-up than a negotiation. However, one source added, “There is always work to be done.”
Later today, Downing Street will confirm “hundreds” of air defence missiles and drones for Ukraine.
Mr. Sunak will reiterate the importance of supplying Ukraine with a comprehensive support package, according to No. 10.
The prime minister stated, “We must not let them [Ukraine] down,” adding that it was a “crucial moment” in Ukraine’s war endeavor.
“The front lines of Putin’s aggressive conflict may be in Ukraine, but the fault lines span the entire globe. It is in the best interests of all of us to assure Ukraine’s success and that Putin’s barbarism is not rewarded.”
It is anticipated that the meeting between the two leaders will not exceed two hours.
After Paris, Berlin, and Rome, Mr. Zelensky’s European trip will continue in the UK.
Ukraine secured a $2.93bn (£2.4bn) defense aid package from Germany following talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Sunday, bringing its total military funding to nearly $7bn (£6.44bn).
Mr. Zelensky referred to the latest German pledge of Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems as “the largest since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression” in February 2022.
Macron committed scores of light tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine in Paris.
The United States has given Ukraine $46.65 billion (£37.35 billion) in military aid, significantly more than any other country. Britain ranks second with $7.16 billion (£5.17 billion) in military aid.
In February, Mr. Zelensky visited London for the first time since the war and met with the King and Parliament.
Mr. Sunak is in the UK to attend a G7 conference in Hiroshima, Japan, this week.
