Zelensky to visit Downing Street as he seeks more support from Europe

The Ukrainian president volition conscionable Sir Keir Starmer and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, with the Prime Minister expected to underline the UK’s committedness to the defence of Ukraine.

The sojourn volition beryllium Mr Zelensky’s 2nd travel to Number 10 since Sir Keir came to powerfulness aft helium addressed an bonzer gathering of the Cabinet successful July.

It besides follows a acme gathering with south-eastern European countries successful Croatia connected Wednesday, during which helium signed an statement with Croatian premier curate Andrej Plenkovic connected co-operation betwixt the 2 countries’ defence industries.

Ahead of Thursday’s visit, the Prime Minister’s authoritative spokesperson said the gathering with Mr Zelensky would impact “broad strategical discussions” connected UK and allied enactment for Ukraine during a “crucial period”, alternatively than circumstantial decisions.

But the Ukrainian person is apt to erstwhile again property for support to usage long-range Storm Shadow missiles against targets successful Russia.

The UK and US person truthful acold stopped abbreviated of explicitly giving Kyiv support to occurrence Western-supplied missiles astatine targets wrong Russia implicit concerns astir further escalating the conflict, but Mr Zelensky has likened his presumption to having to combat with his hands tied.

Downing Street said connected Wednesday that the UK’s presumption connected utilizing Storm Shadow had not changed.

Sir Keir was expected to conscionable with the leaders of France, Germany and the US astatine the play to sermon Ukraine, but the gathering has been postponed arsenic Joe Biden remains successful America to woody with the interaction of Hurricane Milton.