The Leader

Sunak pledges Zelensky attack drones in UK visit

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Episode notes

Wearing his trademark olive green military fatigues, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has touched down in the UK to negotiate a major weapons deal.

From Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Chequers retreat, it's been promised hundreds of long-range attack drones will be given to help counter Russia’s ongoing invasion. 

Britain last year provided over £2 billion of military support to Ukraine - more than any country apart from America - and has also trained 15,000 Ukrainian troops here.

But the agreement to send long-range Storm Shadow precision missiles sparked the Kremlin to threaten military retaliation. 

Now, the UK government’s confirmed provision of hundreds of air defence missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles with a range of nearly 125 miles, plus fighter jet pilot training - but Zelensky wants the planes.

The Leader podcast’s joined from Kyiv by Denys Ganzha, a member of the president’s Youth Affairs Council.

We discuss the context of Zelensky’s visit, mobilisation of young Ukrainians, living under threat of Russian missile attacks and chances of peace talks.

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