Zelensky's trip to Europe has triple goals? the most desired or the most difficult

　　China News Service, February 12 (Reporter Meng Xiangjun) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made another big move recently.

　　He recently left Ukraine for the second time since Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and visited many European countries.

　　From meeting with British Prime Minister Sunak, French President Macron, and German Chancellor Scholz, to visiting Brussels, where the EU headquarters is located, and meeting the leaders of all 27 EU member states for the first time, this time, Zelensky proposed The core appeal of the new requirements is the urgent need for European fighter jets.

But can his wish come true?

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　　During this visit, Zelensky was non-stop, and his schedule was full:

　　· Time: February 8

　　Location of visit: London, UK

　　People who met: British Prime Minister Sunak, British King Charles III, etc.

　　Activities: Speech in the British Parliament, donated a pilot helmet to the Speaker of the House of Commons of the British Parliament, Hoyle Wu

　　Main appeal: call on the United Kingdom and other countries to provide fighter jets to Ukraine

　　· Time: the evening of February 8

　　Place of visit: Paris, France

　　People met: French President Macron, German Chancellor Scholz

　　Event: Leaders of the three countries meet at the Elysee Palace and hold a joint press conference

　　Main appeal: call for the provision of main battle tanks, modern fighter jets, long-range missiles, etc., as well as humanitarian support to Ukraine as soon as possible

　　· Time: February 9

　　Place of visit: Brussels, Belgium

　　Meet with people: Leaders of many EU countries, President of the European Parliament Metsoura

　　Activities: Speech at the European Parliament, presented with the EU flag

　　Main appeal: Urge the EU to continue to support Ukraine in terms of weapons, materials, energy equipment, fuel, etc.

Data map: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

　　Zelensky staged this diplomatic highlight, at least wanting to achieve threefold goals:

　　1. Seek military aid and resources to prepare for the next "spring offensive".

　　2. Seek to join the European Union, shorten the distance with European countries, consolidate relations, and promote the pace of Ukraine's accession to the EU.

　　Third, seek to confront Russia, remind Europe to be consistent, strengthen sanctions and isolate Russia.

It is not easy to get a fighter aimed at Europe

　　Faced with Zelensky's appeal, the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany fully agreed, vowing to continue to help Ukraine on the issue of military aid.

　　Looking at the photos posted by Sunak and Macron on social media, the gestures of hugging or shaking hands with Zelensky are exactly the same, just like "good brothers".

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hugs Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Image source: Screenshot of Sunak’s social media account

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Image source: Screenshot of Macron’s social media account

　　The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) quoted sources as saying that Sunak asked Defense Secretary Wallace to "figure out" which fighter jets the UK could provide Kyiv.

Reuters believes that this marks a change in Britain's position and may pave the way for other countries to provide fighter jets to Ukraine.

　　However, the imagination is very full, but the reality is often very skinny.

　　Wallace stated on the 9th that the process of using fighter jets in Ukraine will take at least several months, and the UK is focusing on providing Ukraine with other weapons and equipment for air cover, such as long-range missiles and drone air support.

　　Vladimir Popov, an honorary Russian military pilot and deputy doctor of technical sciences, told Sputnik that Britain's supply of fighter planes to Ukraine will weaken its own combat capabilities, so it may provide Kiev with decommissioned planes at the reserve base.

As for the number, or no more than 10 to 12 aircraft configured in a squadron, "the scale is small and cannot solve the problem."

　　British Sky News security and defense experts also analyzed that "Kiev will not get the best fighter jet of the Royal Air Force - a new generation of F-35 fighter jets, but it is likely to be the first batch of 'Typhoon' aircraft. For training, not for combat."

Data map: "Typhoon" fighter jet.

　　The expert also pointed out that "no one told Sunak" that "the training time of a novice pilot can be as long as eight or ten years".

　　French President Macron played "Tai Chi".

While promising not to rule out the supply of fighter jets to Kiev, he said that he did not discuss this topic with Zelensky this time.

　　He believes that the fighter jets requested by Zelensky "currently do not meet the needs of the Ukrainian army", and France is willing to help Ukraine in supplying "priority options" such as Caesar self-propelled howitzers.

　　German Chancellor Scholz said in his statement that "Ukraine will provide support for as long as it needs", but he talked about "heavy artillery, air defense systems and tanks" and "financial support" for Ukraine. , Humanitarian and military support", only the word "fighter" that Zelensky was looking forward to most did not appear.

　　In short, it seems that to get the fighter, Zelensky can only wait.

Receiving the EU flag but still not entering the EU

　　On the 9th, Zelensky went to Brussels, Belgium, met with leaders of other EU countries, and delivered a speech in the European Parliament, calling on the EU to continue to sanction Russia and support Ukraine.

　　"Ukraine will be part of the European Union, and the European Union is winning," Zelensky said.

　　After the speech, he was presented with the EU flag, which he held together with the President of the European Parliament Metsoura to show to the venue.

On February 9, local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky attended the EU summit in Brussels and shook hands with the President of the European Parliament Metzola.

　　Metsoura previously called on EU member states to provide Ukraine with long-range missile systems and fighter jets, saying this is the next step for "EU member states to defend freedom".

　　So far, the EU and its member states have provided Kiev with about 50 billion euros in military equipment and other assistance, and have imposed nine rounds of sanctions on Russia.

During Zelensky's trip, he called for more sanctions on Russia.

　　However, Metzola did not give a clear answer to Zelensky's emphasis on when Ukraine can join the "big family" of the EU.

Russia warns of divisions in EU

　　Noting that EU officials believe that it is "necessary" to provide more weapons to Ukraine, Lieutenant General Brensky, former director of the International Treaty Department of the Russian Ministry of Defense, pointed out that such a statement is irresponsible.

In his view, the decision to provide fighter jets to Kyiv is a critical moment for both Ukraine and the West, and the consequences may be very serious.

On the evening of February 8 local time, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Scholz at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

China News Agency reporter Li Yang

　　The Russian embassy in the UK warned on the 8th that the UK's delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine will lead to further escalation of the situation in the country.

Russia will find a way to respond to any unfriendly actions taken by the British side.

　　Medvedev, vice chairman of the Russian Federation Security Council, also responded that Russia will increase the production of various weapons and military equipment, including modern tanks.

　　In addition to Russia's warning, in fact, the EU is not monolithic, and internal divisions and rifts are gradually expanding.

　　On February 9, Italian Prime Minister Meloni pointed out that Macron's invitation to Zelensky to visit Paris was "inappropriate".

She believes that Macron failed to maintain the unity of the European Union in order to please the French domestic public opinion.

Data map: On June 16, 2022 local time, French President Macron (middle), German Chancellor Scholz (right) and then Italian Prime Minister Draghi took the train bound for Kiev.

　　In June 2022, then Prime Minister Draghi, Macron and Scholz went to Kiev together, appearing as the European "troika".

But this time the two met Zelensky in Paris, and Italy did not participate, so they had a dispute.

　　In addition, Belgian Prime Minister De Crowe made it clear that his country will not provide fighter jets to Ukraine for a simple reason: "We also need fighter jets ourselves."

Data map: Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán.

　　Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán even attracted the attention of foreign media because he did not applaud Zelensky.

　　Orban said after talks with Zelensky on the 9th that Hungary will continue to help Ukraine with humanitarian aid.

He insisted that Hungary "belongs to the camp of peace" and would not offer weapons to Ukraine.

(over)