2023-05-15 13:05:00
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised the soon delivery of “hundreds” of anti-aircraft missiles and attack drones to kyiv.
By LL with AFP
© LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
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After Rome, Berlin and Paris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on Monday, according to Downing Street, where he is to meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has promised the imminent delivery of “hundreds” of anti-aircraft missiles and attack drones in Kiev.
The Ukrainian head of state is thus continuing his European tour in the United Kingdom, in search of an additional military commitment from his allies before the announced counter-offensive of his army against Russian troops.
“The UK has been a leader in providing us with additional ground and air assets. This cooperation will continue, ”said the Ukrainian president on Twitter announcing his departure for London, where he had already visited last February.
Volodymyr Zelensky is to meet with Rishi Sunak at the Prime Minister’s Checkers country residence, who shortly before the arrival of the Ukrainian President announced new military aid to Kiev.
London will thus deliver “hundreds” of anti-aircraft missiles as well as “hundreds” of attack drones with a range of more than 200 km.
“Making Ukraine Succeed”
The equipment will be delivered “over the coming months as Ukraine prepares to step up its resistance to the ongoing Russian invasion,” Downing Street said in a statement. Last week, the United Kingdom had already announced the supply of long-range Storm Shadow missiles to kyiv.
“This is a crucial moment for the resistance of the Ukrainians in the face of the terrible aggression which they did not choose to provoke,” said Rishi Sunak, quoted in the press release.
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“We must not let them down. […] It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that Ukraine succeeds and that the barbarity of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is not rewarded,” he added.
In response, the Kremlin warned that further British arms deliveries to Ukraine will cause “even more destruction”. “Great Britain aspires to place itself at the head of the countries which continue to flood Ukraine with armaments,” spokesman for the Russian presidency, Dmitry Peskov, denounced to the press. He estimated that these deliveries will “not have a significant impact on the course” of the conflict, but “will cause even more destruction”.
On Sunday, France, where Zelensky met President Emmanuel Macron, pledged to train and equip several battalions with “dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10 RCs”, often used in military missions. acknowledgement.
In Germany, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured that his country would support Ukraine “as long as necessary” and announced a new military aid plan of 2.7 billion euros, including the delivery of numerous tanks, armored and air defense systems.
Berlin’s support for kyiv reaches 17 billion euros, Scholz pointed out, the second largest contribution after the United States. No capital, however, has advanced on the delivery of combat aircraft, insistently requested by kyiv.
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