The UK will transfer hundreds of attack drones with a range of more than 200 kilometers to Ukraine, and will soon begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters. This is stated in a statement by the British government in connection with the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the country.
The statement noted that the visit takes place on the eve of the G7 summit in Japan, which is expected to make new decisions to support Ukraine.
Last week, the UK announced the delivery of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine with a range of more than 100 kilometers. We are talking about the first case of deliveries of Western long-range missiles to Ukraine. Representatives of the so-called “LPR” have already said that these missiles were used to strike Lugansk, which is located in Russian-controlled territory far from the front line.
“Today, the Prime Minister will confirm the UK’s provision of hundreds of air defense missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, including hundreds of new attack drones with a range of more than 200 km,” the statement said.
It also quotes Prime Minister Sunak as saying that London supports providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. The training program for Ukrainian pilots is part of the British effort in this direction.
The Kremlin has previously strongly condemned the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine, saying Moscow reserves the right to retaliate.
On Monday morning, Sunak welcomed Zelensky to the country residence of the British Prime Minister, Checkers.
After the talks, Rishi Sunak, in response to a request from journalists to comment on the Kremlin’s statement that they were “extremely negative” about London’s plans to provide Kiev with long-range ammunition, said: “Russia carried out an unprovoked attack, committing terrible war crimes in Ukraine. The UK will remain steadfast in support of Ukraine and its people”. Sunak emphasized that it was important for the Kremlin to know this, adding: “We are here for the long haul.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the talks: “We want to create this ‘coalition of fighters’, and I am very positive about this. We talked about this, and in the near future you will hear, I think, about important decisions. But for now, we need to work on this a little more.” “.
In the summer, the UK will begin the initial training phase for Ukrainian pilots to teach them the basic skills to fly the latest types of aircraft used by NATO, Rishi Sunak said. London continues negotiations with NATO allies over the possible transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv, but there are no concrete plans to transfer them to the Armed Forces of Ukraine yet.
- Zelensky arrived in the UK from France, where he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. He has previously traveled to Italy and Germany. All of these countries have promised new military aid packages to Kyiv in anticipation of the alleged offensive by the Ukrainian army.
Source : Радио Свобода
