Europe 1 with AFP 10:46 a.m., February 08, 2023, modified at 10:51 a.m., February 08, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, for his second visit abroad since the start of the Russian invasion.

The British government, for its part, has announced its commitment to train Ukrainian fighter pilots.

"Leaders will discuss a two-pronged approach to British support for Ukraine," Downing Street said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due in the UK on Wednesday for his second foreign visit since the start of the Russian invasion nearly a year ago, the British government has announced, which has pledged to train Ukrainian fighter pilots.

Volodymyr Zelensky will meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, address parliament and visit Ukrainian troops in training during the visit, Downing Street said in a statement.

This is the first time that Volodymyr Zelensky has left Ukrainian territory since his visit to Washington on December 21 for a few hours.

He was then received at the White House by President Joe Biden and spoke before the US Congress, whose elected officials from both chambers gave him a standing ovation.

His visit to the United Kingdom comes as the Ukrainian president, expected according to European sources on Thursday in Brussels, is asking for a reinforcement and an acceleration of Western military aid.

The main information: 

  • Volodymyr Zelensky is due to travel to the UK on Wednesday

  • The British have pledged to train Ukrainian fighter pilots

  • At least 100 Leopard 1 tanks will soon be delivered to Ukraine

Training of Ukrainian fighter pilots

"Leaders will discuss a two-pronged approach to British support for Ukraine, starting with an immediate increase in deliveries of military equipment to help counter Russia's spring offensive, and bolstering it with a long-term support," Downing Street said.

Rishi Sunak also intends, it is specified, "to offer to strengthen the United Kingdom's training offer for Ukrainian troops, in particular by extending it to fighter pilots in order to ensure that Ukraine can defend its airspace in the future."

"This training will allow pilots to be able to fly sophisticated combat aircraft meeting NATO standards", as claimed by kyiv, it added.

The UK is one of kyiv's staunchest backers, providing 2.3 billion pounds (2.5 billion euros) in military aid last year.

The government is committed to maintaining this level of aid, the second in the world after the United States, at the same level this year.

"Give Ukrainians what they need as fast as possible"

London delivered lethal weapons to the Ukrainian army even before the launch of the invasion on February 24, 2022 and was the first country to announce in January its intention to send heavy tanks to it.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was the first leader of a G7 country to visit Kyiv in April.

He made three visits there until leaving Downing Street in September, before returning recently for a private visit.

His successor Rishi Sunak went to the Ukrainian capital in mid-November, where he assured Volodymyr Zelensky of British support "until Ukraine wins".

He also announced new military aid, notably in the form of anti-aircraft guns.

While it has since agreed to deliver 14 Challenger 2 tanks, it has been reluctant to deliver fighter jets, saying last week that would require "months" or even "years" of pilot training.

Visiting Washington last week, Boris Johnson, who remained close to Volodymyr Zelensky, urged the British government to "give the Ukrainians what they need as quickly as possible".

Several European sources told AFP of a possible visit by Volodymyr Zelensky to Brussels on Thursday, on the occasion of a meeting of heads of state and government of the Twenty-Seven.

European Council President Charles Michel “has invited (Volodymyr) Zelensky to attend a future (EU) summit in person. words of European leader Barend Leyts.

At least 100 Leopard 1 tanks will soon be delivered to Ukraine

Ukraine will receive "in the coming months" at least 100 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, old models of armored combat, the defense ministers of Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark announced on Tuesday.

These tanks, of German manufacture, older than the Leopard 2, will be "refurbished from industrial stocks", explain the three countries in a joint press release.

This announcement comes as German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius makes a surprise visit to kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in the evening, "thanked" the three countries for "their relevant support", after a meeting with Mr. Pistorius, for whom this is the first trip to Ukraine since his mid-appointment. -January.

In addition to the delivery of Leopard 1s, Berlin, Copenhagen and The Hague promise training for Ukrainian soldiers in the handling of these tanks, as well as the supply of spare parts and ammunition.

The three countries indicate that their initiative is "open to other partners".

They thus mention Belgium which has "indicated an interest in participating".