UK pledges to train Ukrainian pilots on NATO jets, Zelensky addresses British parliament in second international trip since start of war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s second international trip since the start of Russia’s invasion began with a notable pledge from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. UK specialists will teach Ukrainian pilots to fly advanced NATO-standard fighters, Sunak said, marking “a big step up in Western military support,” according to a Reuters report.
According to a statement from 10 Downing Street, the British training programme for Ukrainian servicemen will include fighter jet pilots and marines for the first time.
Reuters outlined that the UK’s commitment marked a “notable shift in support that could pave the way for other countries to send planes.” Western countries have so far refrained from providing the Ukrainian army with aircraft or other weapons that could be used to strike deep inside Russia. Reuters also noted that British officials previously said that Britain's jets require too much training to be useful now.