Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has arrived in the UK to meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The meeting, which was not previously announced, was referred to by Zelensky as “substantive negotiations” with his “friend” Sunak. Zelensky has been seeking support from Western leaders in recent days in response to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The UK recently announced that it will supply Ukraine with long-range missiles to help fight the invasion by Russia. Zelensky has described the UK as a leader in expanding capabilities on the ground and in the air, and has expressed a desire for continued cooperation between the two countries. The prime minister’s office stated that Sunak would emphasise the importance of providing full support to Ukraine, characterising the visit as a courtesy and a catch-up rather than a negotiation. Zelensky’s European tour has included meetings in Paris, Berlin, and Rome, and his visit to the UK will be his fourth stop. This is not Zelensky’s first visit to the UK; he visited in February, where he attended an audience with the King and addressed Parliament.
