Global Courant 2023-05-15 12:57:23
“We will conduct substantive negotiations face-to-face,” Zelenksyy said.
LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will arrive in the UK on Monday for “substantive” talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who announced ahead of the meeting that his country would supply Ukraine with hundreds of new long-range attack drones.
“I will meet my friend Rishi. We will have substantive negotiations, face-to-face and in delegations,” Zelenskyy said on Twitter.
British officials said ahead of Monday’s meeting that they would send hundreds of air defense missiles and long-range attack drones – with a range of more than 200 km – to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia.
“These will all be delivered in the coming months as Ukraine prepares to intensify its resistance to the ongoing Russian invasion,” Sunak’s office said in a statement.
The trip comes a day after Zelenskyy made a surprise stop in Paris on Sunday evening for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.
France will send Ukraine “dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10RC” in the coming weeks, and train Ukrainian troops to use them, the Marcon office said.
“Furthermore, France is focusing its efforts on supporting Ukraine’s air defense capabilities to defend its population against Russian attacks,” the Palais de l’Élysée’s statement said on Sunday.
Zelenskyy had made a surprise visit to France and the United Kingdom in February seeking military aid, including advanced Western fighter jets.
This is an evolving story. Check back later for updates.
Angus Hines and Ibtissem Guenfoud of ABC News contributed to this story.
