Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to visit UK today, likely to ink $4.6 billion defence export finance deal – Firstpost
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. AP File
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will become the first official visitor to Downing Street under the leadership of Keir Starmer during his visit to the UK on Friday.
According to The National News, Zelenskyy will also become the first foreign leader since former US president Bill Clinton in 1997 to address the UK cabinet in person.
During his visit, President Zelenskyy is likely to update ministers on the current situation in Ukraine and advocate for bolstering Europe’s defence industrial capabilities.
The discussions are expected to conclude with an agreement on a £3.5 billion ($4.6 billion) defense export finance deal with the new UK Prime Minister, added the report.
“Ukraine is, and always will be, at the heart of this government’s agenda and so it is only fitting that President Zelenskyy will make a historic address to my cabinet,” The National News quoted Starmer as saying.
“Russia’s incremental gains on the battlefield are nothing compared with the collective international support for Ukraine, or the strength of ties between our people,” Starmer added.
The British defence industry plays a crucial role in supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, from industrial sites in the UK to factories in Ukraine.
BAE Systems collaborates with local partners to provide essential maintenance and repair services for UK-supplied weapons in Ukraine.
Babcock International has recently extended its contract with the British Ministry of Defence, ensuring continued maintenance, repair, and management of vehicles.
This week, the ministry has agreed to revitalise the UK’s capability to produce forgings for gun barrels in partnership with Sheffield Forgemasters. This initiative not only supports the repair and overhaul of Ukrainian vehicles but also represents a significant milestone in the UK’s 20-year journey towards domestic barrel production, reported The National News.
Such industry support enables Ukraine’s armed forces to sustain critical equipment like L119 light guns and the AS90 self-propelled gun, facilitating swift repairs of battle-damaged equipment when needed.
“The UK is united for Ukraine,” Defence Secretary John Healey was quoted as saying.
“Our new government has already pledged to step up support, confirming £3 billion a year to help Ukraine and a new package of ammunition, anti-armour missiles and artillery guns. Meeting with industry leaders today, I emphasised the government will continue to work in partnership with industry and the need to boost industrial production of vital military kit for both Ukraine and our own armed forces,” added Healey.
Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers under lens
Meanwhile on Thursday, at the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, 44 countries and the EU agreed to focus on Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers, which are seeking to evade sanctions on Russian oil.
The group of about 600 vessels carries 1.7 million barrels of oil a day, providing funds for Moscow’s war effort while also allegedly acting as listening stations or carrying weapons for Russia.
Many of these ships are outdated and pose safety hazards, frequently disabling their location tracking systems, thus heightening the risk of serious maritime incidents.
“Alongside our European partners, we have sent a clear message to those enabling Putin’s attempts to evade sanctions: We will not allow Russia’s shadow fleet, and the dirty money it generates, to flow freely through European waters and put our security at risk,” Starmer said.
Speaking at the EPC summit on Thursday, Zelenskyy said Britain had been “one step ahead in its determination to support Ukraine” since the Russian invasion began.
“This is the kind of resolve we need to stop Russian terror,” he added.
On Thursday, the UK also placed sanctions on 11 oil tankers thought to be involved in evading sanctions, including the Rocky Runner, which earlier sought to escape British action by changing its operator.
Most of the ships sail under the flag of Gabon, although some – including the Rocky Runner – are flagged with the Cook Islands, while another sails under the flag of Panama.
Sanctioned vessels are prohibited from entering UK ports and may be detained or directed to enter a port.
With inputs from agencies
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