Ukraine-UK relations not dependent on who is in power, says Zelenskyy
Photo: President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Kyiv and London have built strong relations against the backdrop of widespread military aggression by Russia. These ties are not contingent on who represents the government in both Ukraine and the United Kingdom, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his interview with the British Channel 4 News.
"We built our relations (with the UK, - ed.)... because of this war. We built them very, very strong. We know that we can count on each other," stated the head of state.
Responding to the interviewer's question about the expected elections in the United Kingdom this year, which could lead to a change in the country's prime minister, Zelenskyy affirmed his belief that this would not affect interstate relations.
According to the Ukrainian president, relations between Ukraine and the UK do not depend on who sits "in Downing Street or "in Bankova".
He added that London consistently demonstrates its support for Ukraine even in challenging times.
"When you have a challenging period, you really see who stays with those days when everybody calls you and says: you have 5 days... This is a very important moment," emphasized Zelenskyy.
We sat down for an extended interview with Volodymyr Zelenskyy the former actor who went from on screen President to war time President, loathed in the Kremlin but respected across much of the world. pic.twitter.com/OqmF64JkX9
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) January 19, 2024
UK's assistance to Ukraine
It is worth recalling that the United Kingdom is one of Ukraine's key allies in the face of Russian aggression. It has supported our country since the early stages of the full-scale terrorist invasion.
Since the onset of the widespread war, London has provided Kyiv not only with humanitarian aid but also with military and financial support. This includes the provision of Challenger 2 tanks and long-range Storm Shadow missiles. Additionally, the UK assists in the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
In May 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the UK, where he held a series of crucial meetings.
On January 12, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Kyiv for a working visit. During the visit, he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In Kyiv, Sunak announced the allocation of the largest aid package to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
The leaders also signed a historic agreement between the UK and Ukraine on security cooperation. It came into effect on January 12, 2024, and will be in force for 10 years. If Ukraine joins NATO during this period, the parties will make a separate decision regarding the future status of guarantees.
For more details on what the security guarantees from the UK entail for Ukraine, refer to our material.
