The Ukrainian president continues his European tour, in search of new military means. Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Monday in London, according to Downing Street, where he is to meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who promised the upcoming delivery of "hundreds" of anti-aircraft missiles and attack drones to Kiev.
After Rome, Berlin and Paris, the Ukrainian head of state went to the United Kingdom, seeking an additional military commitment from his allies before the announced counter-offensive of his army against Russian troops. "The UK has been a leader in providing us with additional ground and air assets. This cooperation will continue," the Ukrainian president said on Twitter.
Welcome back, @ZelenskyyUa 🇬🇧🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ph57ZoUHpC
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 15, 2023
Volodymyr Zelensky is due to hold talks with Rishi Sunak at the Chequers country residence of the Prime Minister, who announced shortly before the arrival of the Ukrainian President, a new military aid to Kiev. London will deliver "hundreds" of anti-aircraft missiles as well as "hundreds" of attack drones with a range of more than 200 km.
The equipment will be delivered "in the coming months as Ukraine prepares to intensify its resistance to the ongoing Russian invasion," Downing Street said in a statement. Last week, the UK had already announced the supply of Storm Shadow long-range missiles to Kiev.
A "crucial moment for the resistance of Ukrainians"
"This is a crucial moment for the resistance of the Ukrainians in the face of the terrible aggression they did not choose to provoke," the British prime minister said in the statement. "We must not let them down ... It is in everyone's interest to ensure that Ukraine succeeds and that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's barbarism is not rewarded," he added.
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On Sunday, the France, where Volodymyr Zelensky met President Emmanuel Macron, pledged to train and equip several battalions with "dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10 RCs," often used in reconnaissance missions.
For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured that his country would support Ukraine "as long as necessary", and announced a new military aid plan of 2.7 billion euros, including the delivery of many tanks, armored vehicles and air defense systems. Berlin's support for Kiev reached 17 billion euros, stressed the chancellor, the second largest contribution after the United States. However, no capital has advanced on the delivery of fighter jets, insistently requested by Kiev.
