Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky Urges Allies To Send More Fighter Jets During France And UK Visits

Zelensky visited France and UK and met the leaders of both the countries, demanding more weapons, especially fighter jets and longer range missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with French President Emmanuel Macron

In his first visits to Britain and France since the Russian invasion almost one year ago, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed his allies for more weaponry and fighter jets. During his surprise visit to UK, Zelensky met King Charles III, PM Rishi Sunak and addressed parliament. His visit to France saw him hold a late dinner meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, joined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

During both the visits, Zelensky's demands were the same -- more weapons, especially fighter jets and longer range missiles, and faster deliveries.

In his speech at British Parliament on Wednesday, Zelensky thanked British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, according to the CNN report. He also mentioned former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his speech saying, “Boris, you got others united when it seemed absolutely, absolutely impossible.”

“London has stood with Kyiv since day one,” he said. “Since the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war. Great Britain, you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react," Zelensky added.

Zelensky also handed the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, the helmet of a Ukrainian fighter pilot that had a writing: “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it.”

Zelensky’s UK visit comes at a time when Kyiv is urging more weapons and military support from the West to counter Russian advances. 

At the joint news conference on Wednesday evening with French and German leaders, Zelensky said, “France and Germany have the potential to be game changers… the sooner Ukraine manages to get long-range weapons and modern planes, the stronger our coalitions will be.”

Zelensky believes the fighter jets and long-range missiles are important in addition to the Leopard 2 tanks Western nations have recently committed to supplying.

Britain on Wednesday said it would supply more military equipment to Kyiv and also expand training to Ukrainian fighter pilots and marines, while also promising a long-term investment in Ukraine’s military.

The surprise visit, which was not made public in advance for security reasons, also included a meeting with King Charles III, according to Buckingham Palace.