Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged his Western allies to provide Ukraine with fighter jets to stop Russia's attack on his country, calling them "the wings of freedom."

During his visit to the United Kingdom, Zelensky called on the British Parliament to impose "stronger sanctions" on Russia to ensure that it is denied funding for its war in Ukraine.

For its part, the Ukrainian presidency said in a statement following a meeting in London between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the latter "stressed the importance of Ukraine obtaining the necessary weapons from allies to stop the Russian offensive and liberate all temporarily occupied Ukrainian lands."

Britain announced an immediate increase in military shipments to Ukraine and pledged to train its pilots as the Ukrainian president arrived in London.

Sunak said the additional training would ensure that Ukrainian pilots would be able to fly "in the future advanced combat aircraft manufactured according to NATO standards".

Zelensky also met King Charles III, according to a Buckingham Palace spokesman.

King Charles III (left) during his reception of Zelensky at Buckingham Palace (Getty Images)

Visit Paris

Meanwhile, the French presidency announced that the Ukrainian president is expected to arrive in Paris this evening, Wednesday, explaining that he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to be in Paris to meet Zelensky with Macron, according to his spokesman.

European Union officials hope that Zelensky will go to Brussels tomorrow, Thursday, to meet European leaders in a visit that is largely symbolic, but is of interest after months of European support for Ukraine, according to what was reported by the French Press Agency.

This is Zelensky's first European tour since the start of the war in his country on February 24, 2022.

Last December, the Ukrainian president received a rapturous welcome when he visited the United States, the largest single provider of military aid to Ukraine since the war broke out.


British sanctions

In conjunction with Zelensky's visit, the United Kingdom imposed a new package of sanctions on the Russian defense sector today, Wednesday.

Secretary of State James Cleverly stressed that the new sanctions on organizations that the Russian military relies on would "accelerate economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and undermine his war machine to help Ukraine win."

The additional sanctions specifically target 6 entities that provide the Russian army with military equipment such as drones, for use during Russia's war on Ukraine, and also relate to 8 individuals and an organization linked to financial networks that help maintain wealth and power among the Kremlin elites, according to a statement by the British government.


Kyiv Allied Unit

In the context, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz stressed the unity of the Western allies in their support for Kiev, and said that he was convinced that Russian President Vladimir Putin "will not achieve his goals in the war against Ukraine."

"The cohesion within our alliances is our most valuable asset," Schulz said in a speech to Bundestag deputies ahead of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, stressing that the allies would help Ukraine defend its "sovereignty and territorial integrity."