The British Prime Minister met the President of Ukraine right at the gangway of the military transport of the Royal Air Force. Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak hugged like “old friends” and went to the residence on Downing Street. On the porch, they smiled at the camera, and inside Zelensky was greeted like a real king.
In the comments under the video of Zelensky’s meeting, social media users sarcastically remarked: with the money of the Western countries that the Ukrainian president had already pocketed, one could finally buy a classic suit.
The outfit of the guest from Kyiv – a sweater and trousers – really contrasted sharply with the tailcoats and jabot of the accompanying suite. And yet, the hall of the Palace of Westminster, where the Ukrainian president made a speech, met him standing. The Ukrainian president thanked for the invitation for a long time and remembered the previous visit.
“Leaving the British Parliament two years ago, I thanked you for delicious English tea”he said.
But the purpose of the current tour was clear even before Zelensky spoke. He brought as a gift a Ukrainian pilot’s helmet with the inscription “We have freedom, give us wings to protect it.” Addressing members of parliament and government, I decided to thank Ukraine for the delivery of British combat aircraft in advance.
The president of Ukraine has not yet come out to the press, although journalists were waiting for him at the residence of the prime minister. A press conference was planned after the meeting, but it was cancelled. Zelensky did not answer the questions that the press representatives managed to shout out and hurriedly disappeared in the car.
Next – an audience with the British monarch Charles III. And late in the evening, the Ukrainian president should already be in Paris for a trilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It is obvious that the messenger from Kyiv will ask for more weapons there as well. But with what answer he will leave is still a question, given today’s statement by the German side.
“What harms our unity is the public competition over who will demand what more – tanks, submarines, aircraft. Populist statements and public criticism of the allies also bring harm to NATO partners, the FRG is not going to participate in this”Scholz noted.
Britain’s help may also turn out to be not quite what Zelensky expects – he asked for planes immediately with crews. London was supposed to train Ukrainian pilots at home. But, apparently, the British will not do this either.
Instead of flying military jets, the crews from Nezalezhnaya, who have never sat at the helm of the same F-16, are promised an excursion on a flight simulator. But so far, Zelensky has only preparatory work. Tomorrow, the EU summit opens in Brussels, and Zelensky is among the invitees.
