King Charles will meet with Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to the UK today. Buckingham Palace has said the King will hold an audience with the Ukrainian President as part of the surprise trip.
It was announced on Wednesday that Mr Zelensky would make his first visit to the UK since his country was invaded by Russia a year ago. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised extra military support to the Ukrainian country.
He has announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots, paving the way for them eventually being able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard jets. The move follows a request from Mr Zelensky.
Downing Street said the surprise visit would see Mr Zelensky meet the Prime Minister, visit Ukrainian troops and address Parliament as well as the audience with the King.
The audience between the King and President Zelensky will take place at Buckingham Palace this afternoon. Mr Zelensky will be greeted in the Palace quadrangle before being taken to meet the monarch inside the royal residence.
The UK is also set to announce new sanctions targeting those who have helped Vladimir Putin build his personal wealth and firms which have profited from the war.
The expansion of the UK’s training programme to include jet fighter pilots is significant as Mr Zelensky has been urging Western nations to supply planes. The UK has so far refused, arguing that the RAF’s F-35 and Typhoon jets take too long for pilots to train on.
But the announcement by No 10 signals a shift for the future, and officials said that “as part of that long-term capability investment” the UK will work with Ukraine and international allies “to co-ordinate collective support to meet Ukraine’s defensive needs”.
Ukrainian troops are already being trained in the use of Challenger 2 tanks, which are expected to be sent to the country next month. Mr Sunak will offer longer-range firepower to help counter Russia’s ability to strike at Ukraine’s towns and energy facilities.
