Ukrainian Prez in Britain; Seeks Fighter Jets from UK to Fight Against Russia

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to Britain on Thursday. It was Zelenskyy’s first Britain visit since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian President presented a Ukrainian fighter pilot’s helmet to the speaker of the House of Commons of Britain. The helmet was inscribed with the words: “We have freedom, give us wings to protect it.”

Through this present, Zelenskyy urged the British Parliament to soften the UK’s disinclination to deliver advanced fighter jets to Ukraine. Till now none of the Western countries have promised to deliver warplanes to Ukraine. Some of them have however promised to provide tanks to this war-ravaged country.

On Wednesday, Britain said it was ready to provide training to Ukrainian fighter pilots to fly “sophisticated NATO-standard fighter jets in the future”. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the first step in providing advanced aircraft is “to have soldiers or aviators that are capable of using them”. He said the process will take some time, adding, “We’ve started that process today”.

Ukrainian troops are also being trained in Britain. The UK PM and Zelenskyy visited an army camp in southwest England to meet the Ukrainian troops being trained there.

Zelenskyy also visited Buckingham Palace and met with King Charles III in his trademark olive sweatshirt. In British Parliament, he praised King Charles’ experience as an air force pilot. “The king is an air force pilot.. and in Ukraine today, every air force pilot is a king,” said Zelenskyy.