President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly embarked on his second foreign visit since the start of a full-scale invasion. The first stop was the United States, and this time Zelenskiy went to the UK, a country often the driving force behind Ukraine's military support.
Volodymyr Zelensky had a very close relationship with former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The current head of the British government promised to continue Johnson's policy of supporting Ukraine and seems to be keeping his word. Almost immediately after his appointment as prime minister, Sunak visited Kyiv, and today,against the threat of a new large-scale offensive from Russia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy went to London to enlist increased support from the United Kingdom.< strong> channel 24analyzed why Zelensky left for the United Kingdom.
Will Ukraine get new types of weapons
President's trip Ukraine to London was a real surprise.
Zelensky arrived in Britain by RAF aircraft, the British Prime Minister met him at Stansted Airport.
On Wednesday morning, official London announced Zelensky's visit and, judging by preliminary statements, it can be said with certainty that the purpose of the meeting is to strengthen military support for Ukraine and impose sanctions pressure against Russia. The New York Times writes that it is likely that Rishi Sunak will announce plans to expand British military assistance, including training of Ukrainian pilots.
I am in London today to personally thank the British people for their support and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership position, the president wrote.
Watch the video of how Zelensky was welcomed in the UK :
Pay attention!The issue of the supply of Western fighters has now become the main topic of discussion immediately after the West agreed to equip the Ukrainian army with its tanks. It is not yet known whether the British Prime Minister will announce the transfer of any number of fighter jets to Ukraine, but this is quite realistic, because it was the UK that became the first country that agreed to transfer its Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. Despite the fact that the British will transfer only 14 vehicles, the symbolism of the event played a very important role, because such a decision by the British government actually broke through the psychological barrier in the West, and now Ukraine expects hundreds of Western tanks from other countries, including German Leopards and American ones. Abrams. Until a few months ago, this was only a dream.
President Zelensky's visit to the UK is a testament to his country's courage, determination and struggle, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries. – Rishi Sunak stressed, commenting on Zelensky's visit.
Commenting on Zelensky's visit, the British prime minister noted that his arrival and the expansion of the training program for the Ukrainian military in Britain “underscores the obligation not just to provide military equipment for a short period , but also a long-term commitment to stand side by side with Ukraine for many years.”
Zelensky later arrived at 10 Downing Street, where he is meeting with Rishi Sunak.
Downing Street also announced that Zelensky will deliver a speech in Parliament.
British edition of Sky News also reports that a hitherto unannounced military aid package for Ukrainemay include “longer-range weapons”.Weapons that would allow Ukraine to disrupt Russia's ability to consistently target our state's civilian and critical infrastructure.
The issue of long-range missiles for Ukraine has also been repeatedly raised at the highest levels, but the West was cautious about this idea, fearing that Ukraine would use long-range missiles on Russian territory, which could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
However, according to Ukrainian diplomats,long-range missiles are just as much a psychological barrier to Western leaders as fighter jets were, and like tanks were in the past.The UK can become an engine in this matter as well.
Important! The supply of long-range missiles for American HIMARS systems is often noted in the media space of Ukraine, but the UK also has similar developments in service. The transfer of long-range missiles will significantly complicate Russian logistics and allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to carry out another powerful counteroffensive, as was the case in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, when the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was preceded by the destruction of ammunition depots and oil depots far behind the invaders.
London intensifies sanctions pressure on Russia
Increasing sanctions pressure on Russia and limiting its economic opportunities is also an important component in countering Russian aggression. Reuters, citing an official statement from the British government, writes that today the UK will impose additional sanctions against those who helped Russian President Vladimir Putin.“Build your own personal wealth, as well as those companies that today profit from the Kremlin's war machine.” However, the full scope of the new sanctions will most likely become known later in the evening.
At the same time, it should be borne in mind that numerous private military companies are now being created in Russia, some of which are actively financed by local oligarchs or state corporations. The day before it became known that the Russian state giant Gazprom is also going to create its own PVK, whether this story will be considered an attempt to “cash in on the Kremlin's war machine” is still unknown.
The Washington Post notes that the UK has already imposed sanctions against 1200 Russian citizens and more than 120 Russian companies after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The UK government portal emphasizes that a number of critical Russian state-owned banks are already on the sanctions lists, and some have already been disconnected from the SWIFT international payment system.
Russia's access to technology is also limited, which significantly impedes further military development by Russian enterprises and partially paralyzes Russia's military-industrial development for many years to come. At the same time, UK sanctions were imposed against corrupt Russian politicians, businessmen and officials associated with the war against Ukraine.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said he hoped the new sanctions would increase the economic pressure on Putin, “detonating his war machine to help Ukraine win.” He also assured that Russia does not have access to the assets that London has frozen “until it stops, once and for all, its threats to the territorial sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine.”
Great Britain expands training program for Ukrainian military
Western countries have been mulling over how to step up support for Ukraine as the country prepares for another Russian offensive later this month. BBC. Both the delivery of new Western equipment and the completion of training for Ukrainian pilots are expected in the spring, at a time when, according to Ukrainian intelligence,a new large-scale Russian offensive may begin in the coming weeks.
The UK is signaling long-term support for Ukraine. The British have already trained about 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers and plan to expand the training program to 20,000 this year.
At the same time, the issue of deliveries of fighters was not so long ago received with skepticism by the UK. They stressed that it is “impractical” to send planes to Ukraine, because they need months of training for Ukrainian pilots. It seems that the UK is going to resolve this issue, because the retraining of Ukrainian pilots will be included in the future exercise program.
Zelensky will meet with King Charles III
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also visit Buckingham Palace, reports The Telegraph. Zelensky's meeting with King Charles III has already been confirmed by representatives of the royal family. It should be noted that the British monarchy actively supports Ukraine and has repeatedly publicly condemned Russian aggression.
Zelensky will be met in the inner quadrangle of the palace, and then taken inside to meet with the monarch.
The last time the President of Ukraine was in the palace was in October 2020 with his wife Elena, when he met with the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine.
We see how these same values are attack today in Ukraine in the most unscrupulous way. In the position that we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who oppose brutal aggression,” Charles III said in March last year. Zelenskaya. Then the Ukrainian delegation arrived in London to honor the memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Olena Zelenskaya during a meeting with King Charles/photo OP
The official meetings of Volodymyr Zelensky at such a high level testify to the strong support from the UK. The visit of the President of Ukraine to London may become truly historical, somewhere on a par with Zelensky's trip to Washington. Americans and Brits very often share a common position, or listen to each other's opinions.
President Zelensky's next stop is likely to be Brussels.. According to Western journalists, Zelensky will visit the European Parliament, where he will personally address European deputies from the main rostrum
At the same time, the President of Ukraine will be able to personally communicate with the leaders of 27 EU member states. Thus, we can conclude that in the issue of support for Ukraine, in particular in terms of the supply of equipment and sanctions, we should expect further shifts that will finally knock out the occupiers and ensure the complete defeat of Russia in the war.
