Zelenskyy meets UK PM Starmer and NATO chief Rutte in London for crucial talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London on 10 October for crucial talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The visit is part of Zelenskyy’s ongoing efforts to secure increased military support from Western allies in the face of continued Russian aggression, The Guardian reports.

Despite Ukraine’s months-long appeals amid escalating Russian air attacks, Western nations, including the US and UK, continue to restrict the use of their long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to prevent deep strikes inside Russia, reportedly to avoid further escalation.

According to a Downing Street spokesperson, Prime Minister Starmer was expected to reiterate the UK’s “ironclad support for Ukraine” during the meeting. The talks are focusing on Ukraine’s requests for enhanced military aid, particularly the authorization to use long-range weapons against targets inside Russia.

Zelenskyy’s London visit is part of a broader diplomatic tour, with meetings scheduled with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz within the next 24 hours, as confirmed by the Ukrainian President’s Office.

The Ukrainian leader has been pressing Western governments for more robust military support, including the green light to fire long-range British Storm Shadow and US’ ATACMS missiles into Russian territory. However, the Downing Street spokesperson stated that there had been no change to the UK government’s position on authorizing such actions.

During a joint appearance with NATO chief Mark Rutte in Kyiv last week, Zelenskyy expressed frustration with Western allies, stating,

“We need sufficient quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range weapons, that, in my opinion, our partners are already dragging out.”

Zelenskyy also called for NATO members to take a more active role in helping Ukraine defend against Russian aerial attacks.

This visit marks Zelenskyy’s second trip to Downing Street since Starmer’s election victory in July. During his previous visit, the Ukrainian president became the first foreign leader to address the British cabinet since Bill Clinton in 1997, The Guardian notes.

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