Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky’s visit to Great Britain was primarily meant to thank Britain personally, but also to ask for more arms. So British correspondent Lia van Bekhoven. ‘Britain is ahead of the EU, and therefore given priority.’

Since the first aid promise, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Britain has always provided support. “They have remained active in coordinating military support, pressuring other allies for support, you name it,” said Van Bekhoven. ‘Since 2014 they have been training the Ukrainian army. Zelensky is here to thank them, but also to beg for the fighter jets.’

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And England is still open to it, thought Van Bekhoven. Zelensky’s speech will be one of the best speeches British MPs hear in the Great Hall today. “As the speech ends, I think the emotional and moral pressure on Britain’s political leaders has never been greater in relation to the sending of the plane,” he said. And London has just issued a statement that the UK is considering making Typhoon fighter jets available to Ukraine. As a long term solution.’

Boris Johnson

Zelenski also thanked former Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally, which was not surprising according to Van Bekhoven. Johnson is personally responsible for uniting nations behind calls for military aid. “No one is more committed to military support for Kiev than Johnson,” he said. “He was practically Zelensky’s spokesperson in London. He was also in Kiev last week, where he spoke with Zelensky.’

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While it is not clear in what capacity he did this, according to Van Bekhoven, thanks to Johnson, the Ukrainians had armored vehicles, tanks and anti-aircraft guns ready for use fairly quickly. “And it was also Johnson who continued to tighten the decision on his successor Sunak to produce the fighter,” he concluded. “As well as wanting to supply Typhoon fighter jets, London is also asking the European Union to also supply fighter jets.”

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