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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes first visit to the UK since Russian invasion

Nicholas Cecil,David Bond and Rachael Burford
7 - 9 minutes

" President Volodymyr Zelensky will make his first visit to the UK since the Russian invasion of his country on Wednesday, Downing Street said.

He was due in the UK to meet Rishi Sunak and visit Ukrainian troops being trained in the country. He was also expected to give an address to Parliament.

The Prime Minister said: “President Zelensky’s visit to the UK is a testament to his country’s courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries." 



The Ukrainian president visited Joe Biden in the White House in December on his first trip outside his country since the war started on February 24 last year. He also addressed Congress.

His trip to the UK comes almost a year after he made a virtual address to the UK Parliament.

 (PA)

(PA)

It is believed to be his second foreign visit since the conflict started.

✓ Mr Sunak, who visited Kyiv in November, also announced on Wednesday that the UK’s military support programme would be expanded to train Ukrainian pilots and marines.

Britain has led the way in delivery military equipment to Kyiv, being the first to pledge to send battle tanks, with 14 Challenger IIs being delivered in coming months.

✓ Mr Zelensky will discuss with the Prime Minister his pledge of an “immediate surge” in military equipment to Ukraine to help counter Russia’s spring offensive, reinforced by long-term desupport.

The UK training for Ukraine has seen 10,000 troops brought to battle readiness in the last six months, and a further 20,000 soldiers being “upskilled” this year.

Mr Sunak added: “Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory.

“I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future.

“It also underlines our commitment to not just provide military equipment for the short term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for years to come.”

✓ Britain was also due to announce further sanctions on Wednesday in response to Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine, including targeting individuals who have helped Vladimir Putin build his personal wealth, and companies who are profiting from the Kremlin’s war machine.

 (PA)

(PA)

Mr Zelensky’s visit to the UK comes after former PM Boris Johnson travelled to Kyiv last month.

Mr Johnson said it was a “privilege” to travel to the country as he visited the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital city before being received by Mr Zelensky.

Mr Zelensky’s visit comes as Putin’s army ramped up its winter assault in eastern Ukraine, shipping tens of thousands of freshly mobilised troops to the battlefield.

Kyiv expects Moscow to broaden its offensive in the north east and south of the country.

Russia-Ukraine Crisis:: Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine war timeline

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during their visit to the city of Mykolaiv, near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during their visit to the city of Mykolaiv, near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, speaking with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as they look at destroyed Russian military vehicles in Kyiv, Ukraine (PA)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, speaking with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as they look at destroyed Russian military vehicles in Kyiv, Ukraine (PA)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky taking part in a ceremony in Kyiv, to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Kruty against Bolshevik Red Army on January 29, 1918. (Ukrainian Presidential press ser)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky taking part in a ceremony in Kyiv, to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Kruty against Bolshevik Red Army on January 29, 1918. (Ukrainian Presidential press ser)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky gives a Ukrainian flag signed by members of the Ukrainian military to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as he addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on December 21, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky gives a Ukrainian flag signed by members of the Ukrainian military to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as he addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on December 21, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attend a joint news conference, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2022 (REUTERS)

French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attend a joint news conference, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2022 (REUTERS)

In this image from video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office and posted on Facebook, on Monday, April 25, 2022, from left; U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pose for a picture during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) (AP)

In this image from video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office and posted on Facebook, on Monday, April 25, 2022, from left; U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pose for a picture during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) (AP)

In this image released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office on Sunday, May 1, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, awards the Order of Princess Olga, the third grade, to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, April 30, 2022. (AP)

In this image released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office on Sunday, May 1, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, awards the Order of Princess Olga, the third grade, to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, April 30, 2022. (AP)

In this handout picture released and taken by Ukrainian Presidency Press Office on March 13, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) snaps a selfie with an injured man laying on a bed during a visit at a military hospital following fightings in the Kyiv region (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

In this handout picture released and taken by Ukrainian Presidency Press Office on March 13, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) snaps a selfie with an injured man laying on a bed during a visit at a military hospital following fightings in the Kyiv region (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, touring Independence Square during his visit to Kyiv (PA Media)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, touring Independence Square during his visit to Kyiv (PA Media)

In this handout picture released and taken by Ukrainian Presidency Press Office on March 13, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2ndR) speaks to an injured man laying on a bed during a visit at a military hospital following fightings in the Kyiv region. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

In this handout picture released and taken by Ukrainian Presidency Press Office on March 13, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2ndR) speaks to an injured man laying on a bed during a visit at a military hospital following fightings in the Kyiv region. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

In this handout picture released and taken by Ukrainian Presidency Press Office on March 13, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2ndR) speaks to with an injured man laying on a bed during a visit at a military hospital following fightings in the Kyiv region. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

In this handout picture released and taken by Ukrainian Presidency Press Office on March 13, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2ndR) speaks to with an injured man laying on a bed during a visit at a military hospital following fightings in the Kyiv region. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

On Tuesday evening, Ukrainian Armed Forces said that more than 30 towns and villages in Kharkiv and 20 communities in Zaporizhzhia had come under fire.

But they said that 1,030 Russian troops had been killed in 24 hours, the bloodiest daily death toll since the  war began almost a year.

The figure could not be independently verified, and the Kremlin claimed that thousands of Ukrainian troops had been killed or injured in recent weeks.

Ukraine national security chief Oleksiy Danilov said that the Kremlin is expected to target the northeastern Kharkiv or southern Zaporizhzhia regions in a new thrust.

"Attempts at an offensive in either the Kharkiv or Zaporizhzhia direction will of course be made," he said, speaking in his office in Kyiv.

"How successful they’ll be will depend on us."

Shortly after Mr Zelensky’s visit was announced, Tory party chairman Greg Hands told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I think it is a really significant moment.

“The UK has been right at the forefront of the strong global coalition to assist Ukraine which has been so ably fronted by President Zelensky.

“We’re really looking forward to President Zelensky and his visit today, not just for the symbolism, but also practical discussions on how the UK can help even further.

“We need to keep rallying that global coalition, we need to make sure that Ukraine has access to all of the weaponry that it needs to be able to continue defending itself and to ultimately win that war against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

“That’s in all of our interests and make sure that they have that equipment to be able to win that war. I don’t think there’s any better outcome than Ukraine actually expelling Russian forces from its territory.”

15 minutes ago · LONDON—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the U.K. to address Parliament on Wednesday, his second known overseas trip as ...
19 hours ago · When Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his dramatic trip to Washington, D.C., it was kept under wraps until hours before he arrived.
24 minutes ago · President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will address Britain's Parliament in a visit to a critical supporter of his nation's war effort.
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30 minutes ago · Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, is heading to the UK to visit Ukrainian troops being trained in the country and to meet Rishi ...
1 hour ago · He was also expected to give an address to Parliament. The Prime Minister said: “President Zelensky's visit to the UK is a testament to his ...
4 minutes ago · Downing Street said Zelensky will meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and make a speech in Parliament. In his surprise visit, ...
52 minutes ago · The Ukrainian leader will meet PM Rishi Sunak and make a speech in Parliament, Downing Street says.
1 hour ago · Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet the Prime Minister and address Parliament today in his first visit to the UK since the ...
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