UK to investigate what jets it could send to Ukraine

Rishi Sunak has opened the door to sending fighter jets to Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelensky called for “powerful English planes” to boost his country’s war effort.

During a surprise trip to the UK, the Ukrainian leader said Mr Sunak had conveyed to him his “desire” to provide the aircraft. But Downing Street played down the idea that the planes could be given soon, describing the idea as a “long-term” possibility.

The prime minister said that jets were “part of the conversation”, but added that training pilots takes many years, and that the deployment of some of the UK’s military aircraft is governed by treaties “with multiple other countries”.

Mr Sunak came under fresh pressure from his predecessor Boris Johnson, who said that when it comes to providing Ukraine with fighter jets, “the faster we do it, the better”, adding that “helping the Ukrainians now is a massive down-payment on future security”.

The move towards further support was condemned by Russia’s embassy in Britain, which warned against sending fighter aircraft to Ukraine. It said such a move would have “military and political consequences for the European continent and the entire world”, the TASS news agency reported.

In an emotional address to MPs in parliament earlier on Wednesday, President Zelensky called on ministers to provide “wings for freedom”. He praised the UK for “marching with” Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion almost a year ago, and promised that a Ukrainian victory would “change the world”.