JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a visit to London, England on Wednesday, with several agendas waiting for him, including securing training assistance for NATO advanced fighter jet pilots until meeting King Charles III.
Arriving at Stansted Airport, north London, President Zelensky was greeted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
President Zelensky said he personally thanked the British people for their support for Ukraine's struggle.
"England was one of the first to come to help Ukraine," President Zelensky said in a post on Telegram and Instagram, citing CNN February 8.
"And today I am in London to personally thank the British people for their support and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership."
From the airport, the two country leaders went straight to the official residence of the British PM on Downing Street No. 10, London.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said President Zelensky would address parliament and visit the training of Ukrainian troops in Britain.
"President Zelensky's visit to the UK is proof of his country's courage, determination and struggle, and evidence of the endless friendship between our two countries," PM Sunak said in a statement.
Previously, the Sunak PM's Office announced additional sanctions against Russia, as well as plans to accelerate the supply of military equipment to Kyiv. For the first time, the Ukrainian air force and marine will be included in the UK's training program.
"The training will ensure pilots are capable of flying NATO standard advanced fighter jets in the future," he said, although it did not provide a time frame.
That appears to signal important changes in Western support, as countries have so far refrained from providing jets or weapons that can strike deep into Russia.
In addition, President Zelensky is also expected to attend the EU summit this week, as he garners support from Western allies, as war enters its second year and is considered decisive. The leaders of the alliance will gather in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday and Friday.
Ukraine says the only way to stop the war is to give it the ability to expel Russian troops from the West.
Western fighter jets are at the top of Ukraine's list of wants for weapons. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv enjoyed air excellence over Ukraine, which has limited the use of manned aircraft on both sides in the war.
The United States and Britain have said they will not send fighter jets to Ukraine. However, other countries have indicated they may do so, keeping the door open for the collective decisions of Western allies.
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