Volodymyr Zelensky flew into the G7 summit to clinch a deal on fighter jets yesterday, as it emerged Britain will begin training Ukrainian pilots this summer.
The Ukrainian President arrived in Hiroshima to a hero’s welcome from world leaders.
Rishi Sunak embraced his fellow leader shortly after landing, saying; ‘Good to see you. You made it.’ Asked by reporters if it was a good day for Ukraine, Mr Zelensky smiled, nodded and said: ‘Thank you so much.’
Government sources last night revealed that the Prime Minister played a pivotal role in arranging the surprise visit.
He is understood to have suggested the idea to President Zelensky a month ago, arguing it would help him clinch a deal to secure Western jets and give him a golden opportunity to pressure the leaders of neutral states like India and Brazil – both of whom are attending the G7 – to side with Ukraine. British officials then raised with their Japanese counterparts the idea of Zelensky attending, and an invitation was issued.
Volodymyr Zelensky flew into the G7 summit to clinch a deal on fighter jets yesterday
Rishi Sunak embraced his fellow leader shortly after landing, saying; ‘Good to see you. You made it’
On arrival in Hiroshima, Zelensky tweeted: ‘Japan. G7. Important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine. Security and enhanced cooperation for our victory. Peace will become closer today.’
Last night, Mr Sunak said: ‘The G7 was once the G8 – Russia was expelled in 2014 for its illegal annexation of Crimea and flagrant abuse of human rights and the rule of law.
‘Nine years on, it sends an incredibly powerful message to have my friend and Ukraine’s President Zelensky with us in Hiroshima today.
‘It tells the world that the G7 stands united with the people of Ukraine, in the face of a terrible onslaught. And it demonstrates that brute force and oppression will not triumph over freedom and sovereignty. From providing Challenger tanks to long-range missiles and pilot training, the UK’s support for Ukraine’s defence will never waver. I am delighted that the G7 has agreed on the importance of giving President Zelensky the advanced military equipment needed to win this war and prosper as a free and democratic nation.’
Aside from the summit, Mr Sunak – who is being accompanied on the trip by his wife, Akshata Murty – has been exploring Japanese culture, making traditional okonomiyaki pancakes at a restaurant and dining on sashimi and conger eel rice with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida.
Prime Minister’s wife Akshata Murty attends day 2 of the spouses programme of G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan
Last week, President Biden, who is also at the summit, lifted the US ban on countries transferring American F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to fly combat missions against Putin’s forces.
President Zelensky has been in talks with a number of European states that have stocks of F-16s, including Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands. Britain is not sending its Tornado jets, which are deemed too complex to maintain.
But Government sources last night said the UK was set to be the first to offer to train Ukrainian pilots in flying Western jets.
A source said the first pilots could arrive within two months.
They will undergo basic flying training in the UK and be allowed to familiarise themselves with Western-standard jets. But they will then require further training in the operation of F-16s.
