Surprise One-Day Visit to UK and France
Request for Fighter Jet Support to Strengthen Air Power
WSJ "Meeting Scheduled at Brussels EU Headquarters"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yoo-jin] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to Europe ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since Russia's invasion in February last year, this is Zelensky's first foreign visit since his trip to Washington, D.C., at the end of last year. He embarked on a diplomatic campaign to pressure Western countries to increase military aid and training, including fighter jets, to counter Russia's offensive.
On the 8th (local time), UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak toured the Ukrainian military training site in Dorset with President Zelensky and said at a joint press conference, "We are considering all options (for providing fighter jets to Ukraine)." Sunak added, "Nothing is off the table regarding military support for Ukraine, and providing fighter jets is part of the conversation."
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that if the UK decides to send fighter jets, it would become the first Western country to provide advanced jet fighters to Ukraine. Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden drew a line by saying he is "not considering" Ukraine's request for American-made F-16 fighter jets.
During this visit, President Zelensky secured a promise from the UK to train Ukrainian fighter pilots to operate NATO-standard fighter jets. Foreign media reported that Ukraine is strengthening its air combat capabilities to create a turning point in the war against Russia. Previously, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian private military company Wagner Group, hinted at air combat by deploying Su-24 bombers and MiG-29 fighters.
The British military supported the training of 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers last year, and Prime Minister Sunak announced plans to double the support this year. The UK is providing weapons and equipment worth 2 billion pounds (approximately 3 trillion won), including its Challenger 2 tanks.
President Zelensky arrived in London that morning on a British military aircraft and had breakfast with Prime Minister Sunak at 10 Downing Street. Later, he addressed members of parliament at Westminster Hall, urging them to "give wings to freedom" as he pressed for fighter jet support.
Zelensky then met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, expressing his gratitude and saying it was an honor to be the first Ukrainian president to meet the British monarch. Charles III said, "We all worry about you and think about your country." The BBC noted that Charles III condemned the Russian invasion as a "brutal invasion," using much stronger language than usual royal terminology, suggesting that this meeting held significance beyond a mere photo opportunity.
Later that afternoon, Zelensky traveled to Paris and had dinner at the ?lys?e Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The WSJ reported that Zelensky is expected to proceed to Brussels, Belgium, home of the European Union (EU) headquarters, to attend an EU summit and request weapons support from EU leaders.
Since the EU itself lacks military power and cannot directly supply weapons to Ukraine, this is interpreted as an effort to repeatedly urge individual member states to provide rapid and additional military aid. Furthermore, Zelensky is expected to emphasize to the 27 EU member state leaders that Ukraine is committed to reforms to meet EU accession criteria even amid the war, and to repeatedly appeal for the swift advancement of the formal membership process.
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