The visit of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky to the UK was mainly intended to personally thank the British, but also to ask for more weapons. UK correspondent Lia van Bekhoven says so. “The British were faster than the European Union and therefore have priority.”
Since the first pledge of aid, just after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK has always provided support. “They remained active in coordinating military support, lobbying other allies for support, you name it,” Van Bekhoven says. “Since 2014 they have been training Ukrainian soldiers. Zelensky is here to thank them, but also to ask for fighter planes.”
And the British are still open, thinks Van Bekhoven. Zelensky’s speech would be one of the best speeches British MPs have heard in the Great Hall today. “When the speech was over, I thought the emotional and moral pressure on British political leaders had never been greater in relation to sending planes,” he says. And London just released a statement that the UK is considering making Typhoon fighters available to Ukraine. As a long-term solution.’
Boris Johnson
Zelenski also expressed a personal word of thanks to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which is not surprising according to Van Bekhoven. Johnson was personally responsible for uniting the countries behind the call for military aid. “There was no one more committed to military support for Kiev than Johnson,” he says. “He is practically Zelensky’s spokesman in London. He was also in Kiev last week, where he spoke with Zelensky.’
Although it is not clear in what capacity he did this, according to Van Bekhoven it is thanks to Johnson that Ukraine quickly got at its disposal armored vehicles, tanks and anti-aircraft guns. “And it’s also Johnson who’s constantly tightening the thumbscrews on his Sunak successor to invent those fighter planes,” he concludes. “As well as wanting to supply these Typhoon fighter planes, London is also asking the EU to supply fighter planes as well.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
