Zelensky is in the United Kingdom and says he hopes to reach an agreement with Western countries on the delivery of planes soon

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskysaid on Monday that he hopes to reach an agreement to receive Western fighter planes, after meeting with the British prime minister in the framework of a European tour in search of greater support against the russian invasion.

READ ALSO: UK to supply ‘hundreds’ of missiles and attack drones to Ukraine

Zelensky traveled to United Kingdom after having visited France, Germany and Italy during the weekend.

Dressed in his characteristic military attire, he met with Rishi Sunak in checkerthe country residence of the British Prime Ministers, located about 65 km northwest of London.

At the end of the meeting, the Ukrainian president stated that they had discussed the creation of a “coalition of fighter jets” and he said he hoped to reach an agreement soon so that his western allies would deliver the devices that he so badly needed.

“We want to create a coalition for the planes and I am very optimistic about it, we have talked about it and I think it will happen very soon, they will find out about decisions that I consider very important”, he stated before the television cameras. He specified, however, that “a little more” work is still needed to achieve this.

Sunak declared himself willing to perform “a key role in this coalition”assuring that it is a complex issue, without giving more details.

Despite his strong support for Ukraine versus Russiathe countries of the NATO they have so far refused to provide modern combat aircraft.

Nevertheless, Sunak confirmed that the United Kingdom will help Ukraine to train pilots as part of their support.

And he said he would talk to the leaders of other countries about the fighters at the next summits of the Council of Europe in Icelandand of the G7 in Japan this week.

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Anti-aircraft missiles and attack drones

Before the meeting, the British government announced that in the coming months it will send Ukraine “hundreds” of anti-aircraft defense missiles and long-range attack drones.

“This is a pivotal moment in the resistance of Ukraine to a terrible war of aggression that they did not choose or provoke”he claimed Sunak. “We must not let them down”he added.

He United Kingdom It already became the first Western country last week to offer long-range cruise missiles to Ukrainethe Storm Shadow.

Prepared to travel up to 250 km, more than any other weapon supplied to kyiv hitherto by western countries, have the ability to reach eastern parts of Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.

The spokesman for Kremlin, Dmitry Peskovassured on Monday that the weapons supplied by the United Kingdom They will not have a major impact on the conflict but “will cause even more destruction.”

Shortly after, Russia claimed to have intercepted a Storm Shadow in the last 24 hours.

“The air defense systems intercepted seven anti-radar missiles HARMa long-range cruise missile Storm Shadow and 10 (shells) from multiple rocket launchers HIMARS”, assured the Russian Defense Ministry.

On Sunday, France promised to deliver to Ukraine dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles. And the German government announced a military aid package worth 2.7 billion euros (about $2.9 billion) that includes tanks, armored vehicles, surveillance drones and four new Iris-T air defense systems.

READ ALSO: France will send Ukraine more light tanks and armored vehicles for several battalions

Four killed in Russian attack

While Zelensky He was visiting the UK, in the east of his country a Russian attack killed four people in a hospital.

Russian forces attacked with missiles the city of Avdiivkaon the front line near Donetskhitting a hospital and killing four people, announced the governor of the region, Pavlo Kirilenko.

shortly before, Ukraine had claimed the “first success” in his offensive around bakhmuta city in the east that has been the scene of fighting for months and is now mostly under Russian control.

For several days now, the Ukrainian army has claimed that it is advancing in its defense.

On Sunday, Ukrainian authorities claimed to have captured “more than ten enemy positions north and south of the periphery of bakhmut”. Two days earlier, they indicated that they had recovered 2 km in that same area.

For his part, Russia He stated that he is also making progress in the town, which he has been trying to conquer since last summer.

Observers doubt the strategic interest that this city may have for the Russians, although its conquest would allow the Kremlin score a victory after several months of defeats.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.