Zelensky visiting the UK for talks with Rishi Sunak and King Charles TODAY

Volodymyr Zelensky touched down on British soil this morning as the Ukrainian President makes his first visit to the UK since Russia’s invasion.

Ahead of meetings with both Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Mr Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex.

The Prime Minister soon tweeted a picture of himself embracing Mr Zelensky after the Ukrainian President stepped off his plane.

They are due to hold talks at Downing Street, while Mr Zelensky will later address the Houses of Parliament and hold an audience with the monarch at Buckingham Palace.

He will also use the surprise visit to meet with some of his Ukrainian troops being trained in Britain.

It comes as Mr Sunak pledged extra military support for Ukraine, including the training of the country’s fighter jet pilots.

This could pave the way for Ukrainian forces to fly sophisticated Nato-standard jets, a key request by Mr Zelensky.

Britain also announced a new round of sanctions on the Russian military and Kremlin elites this morning, in a bid to further tighten the economic squeeze on Vladimir Putin’s regime.

Ahead of meetings with both Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Volodymyr Zelensky's military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex

Ahead of meetings with both Rishi Sunak and King Charles, Volodymyr Zelensky’s military plane landed at Stansted Airport in Essex

The PM welcomed the Ukrainian President to the UK this morning, as he visits for the first time since Russia's invasion

The PM welcomed the Ukrainian President to the UK this morning, as he visits for the first time since Russia’s invasion

Mr Sunak travelled to Ukraine to meet Mr Zelensky in November, shortly after he became PM

Mr Sunak travelled to Ukraine to meet Mr Zelensky in November, shortly after he became PM 

Ahead of his meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Sunak said: ‘President Zelensky’s visit to the UK is a testament to his country’s courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries.

‘Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory.

‘I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future. 

UK to train Ukraine fighter pilots 

Ukrainian pilots are to be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated Nato fighter planes in the latest show of support for Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces.

The UK will also offer an intermediate training programme for Ukrainian marines and has promised an ‘immediate surge’ of military equipment including longer-range weapons.

The latest announcements came as President Zelensky made his first visit to the UK since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Downing Street said the Government is following a ‘two-pronged’ approach, with more military kit now to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support for the future.

Although Ukraine is desperate for fighter jets immediately to counter the Russian air force, the length of the required training means that No 10 has said the pilot programme is a ‘long-term capability investment’.

The training will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard fighter jets in the future.

While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, the older F-16s widely operated by other Nato countries are more likely to be supplied to Ukraine, should Western leaders agree to Mr Zelensky’s requests.

‘It also underlines our commitment to not just provide military equipment for the short term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for years to come.’

Some 10,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained in the UK in the past six months. 

The first troops arrived in Britain last week to learn how to command Challenger 2 tanks, following the PM’s decision to provide the kit.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly this morning unveiled a new package of sanctions aimed at six companies providing military equipment for Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine.

This included the manufacturer of drones being used to destroy Ukrainian combat vehicles, a company making parts for Russian helicopters, and a software firm involved in military aviation.

Sanctions were also slapped on a group linked to Mr Putin through opaque financial networks.

This included five individuals connected to the Russian President’s luxury residents, including the 100 billion rouble ‘Putin’s Palace’ and his lakeside Dacha. 

Mr Cleverly said: ‘Ukraine has shown Putin that it will not break under his tyrannical invasion.

‘He has responded by indiscriminately striking civilian areas and critical national infrastructure across the country.

‘We cannot let him succeed. We must increase our support.

‘These new sanctions accelerate the economic pressure on Putin – undermining his war machine to help Ukraine prevail.

‘I am determined, consistent with our laws, that Russia will have no access to the assets we have frozen until it ends, once and for all, its threats to Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.’

Ukrainian pilots are to be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated Nato fighter planes in the latest show of support for Mr Zelensky’s forces.

The UK will also offer an intermediate training programme for Ukrainian marines and has promised an ‘immediate surge’ of military equipment including longer-range weapons.

Downing Street said the Government is following a ‘two-pronged’ approach, with more military kit now to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support for the future.

Although Ukraine is desperate for fighter jets immediately to counter the Russian air force, the length of the required training means that No 10 has said the pilot programme is a ‘long-term capability investment’.

The training will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard fighter jets in the future.

While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, the older F-16s widely operated by other Nato countries are more likely to be supplied to Ukraine, should Western leaders agree to Mr Zelensky’s requests.

source: dailymail.co.uk