“Freedom will triumph!” shouted the Ukrainian President in London. What he needs against Russia, he says clearly: not only battle tanks, but also jets.
During surprise visits to London and Paris on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the West for more weapons, including fighter jets.
At a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and French President Emmanuel Macron late in the evening in Paris, he said: “It’s about weapons that are necessary for peace. The war that Russia has unleashed must be stopped.” Selenskyj had previously advertised fighter jets in Great Britain.
Scholz: Support as long as necessary
Scholz promised support as long as necessary. “The fact remains: Russia must not win this war,” said the Chancellor. He also assured before an EU summit on Thursday in Brussels, to which Zelenskyj is expected as a guest: “Ukraine is part of the European family.” Macron promised “support until victory”. The two did not respond to the demands for fighter jets in brief statements before the start of the meeting in the Elysée Palace.
Zelenskyj had previously said in London that his country’s army needed fighter jets in particular to win the defensive battle against Russia. In Paris he added: “Emmanuel, the sooner our pilots get modern planes, and Olaf, the stronger our armored coalition gets, the quicker this aggression by Russia will end. And we’re bringing back a secure peace to Europe.”
Ukraine was declared a candidate for accession by the EU last year – shortly after Scholz and Macron were in Kiev together. The meeting in Paris was the second face-to-face meeting of the three politicians since the war began almost a year ago. For Zelenskyj it was also the second trip abroad. In London he met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles III. and delivered a speech to Parliament.
Great Britain big supporter of the Ukrainian government
Great Britain is one of Kiev’s closest supporters in the defensive fight against Russia – but the guest from Kiev did not receive a firm commitment to deliver fighter jets there either. Sunak only said that he had asked the Ministry of Defense to check the availability of jets. But it is a “long-term” solution, it said from Downing Street. Selenskyj, on the other hand, made it clear that he wanted London to play a leading role. He thanked in advance for “capable English aircraft”.
At a press conference in the evening, Sunak announced that the British Challenger 2 main battle tanks, which had already been confirmed, are to be used in Ukraine as early as March. Longer-range missiles are also being discussed to help Kiev protect civilians. Selenskyj emphasized the importance of missiles, for example to ward off drones. Ukraine is to receive 14 modern Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany.
London: expand training program for soldiers
London also announced that it would expand the training program for Ukrainian soldiers. According to Sunak, fighter pilots and marines will also be trained in the future. This should also enable Ukrainian pilots to fly NATO fighter jets – which should fuel the debate about possible deliveries of such machines from Western countries.
Hundreds of people gathered in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of Parliament in London, for a speech by Selensky in front of Parliament. The President thanked him emphatically for the British arms deliveries and was confident about the outcome of the war: “We know: Freedom will win! And we know that this victory will change the world. It will be a victory that it took the world a long time.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
