Putin Issues Threat over UK’s Aid to Ukraine
If the United Kingdom provides warplanes, there will be “military and political repercussions for Europe and the entire world,” according to a statement issued by the Russian Embassy in London.
Vladimir Putin has issued a chilling warning to the United Kingdom regarding its potential plans to provide Ukraine with fighter jets to defend against Russian invasion.
Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his request for air support in a speech to the British Parliament.
However, the Russian Embassy in London issued a statement warning the British government that a decision to provide the warplanes would be “on London’s conscience” due to the “bloodshed, next round of escalation, and subsequent military and political repercussions for the European continent and the entire globe.”
The United Kingdom has not yet committed to providing the fighter jets to Ukraine, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated on Wednesday that “nothing was off the table” in his discussions with Zelensky.
During a joint press conference with the president of Ukraine, Mr. Sunak stated that sending warplanes was “part of the discussion” between the two leaders.
ALSO READ: Zelensky Visits UK Amid Russian Invasion
Earlier in the day, Zelensky presented the speaker of the House of Commons with a Ukrainian air force helmet engraved by a pilot with the words: “We have liberty. Provide us with wings to defend it.”
In Westminster Hall, he told peers and legislators, “I appeal to you and the world with simple yet crucial words: combat aircraft for Ukraine, wings for freedom.”
Downing Street confirmed that the Prime Minister had requested that Defense Secretary Ben Wallace investigate which jets the United Kingdom could potentially provide to Ukraine in its fight against the invading Russian forces.
Mr. Zelensky stated that without jets, the conflict with Russia posed a risk of “stagnation.”
Boris Johnson, who was prime minister at the outbreak of the conflict and a close ally of Mr. Zelensky, urged the United Kingdom to provide Ukraine with the “tools” necessary to defeat the Kremlin’s forces.
“The quicker we do it, the more lives we save,” he told LBC.
The unexpected visit to the United Kingdom by Mr. Zelensky included a meeting with King Charles III.
The Ukrainian president told those gathered in Westminster Hall, alluding to the King’s former RAF service:
ALSO READ: Putin Hints at Russian Nuclear Defense Against German Tanks
“The King is an air force pilot, and every air force pilot in Ukraine is a king today.”
He continued, “We know freedom will prevail. We are aware that Russia will lose.”
After visiting a training facility for Ukrainian troops in Dorset, Mr. Sunak and Mr. Zelensky signed a declaration of unity stating that London and Kyiv were “confident that, with the help of our allies and partners, we will defeat Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.”
Since the invasion began less than a year ago, this was only Mr. Zelensky’s second international trip outside of Ukraine.
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