By Ben Kerrigan-
Ukraine’s president is calling for a “jets coalition” after face-to-face talks with Rishi Sunak, as the UK pledged to send hundreds of new long-range attack drones to Ukraine.
His calls follow a meeting the Uk prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who said the pair discussed “long-term” security arrangements from allied countries for Ukraine, as its troops continue to battle Russia’s invasion forces, and added that the UK would start training Ukrainian pilots to use Western fighter jets “relatively soon”.
Mr Sunak has pledged further provision of hundreds of air defence missiles and further unmanned aerial systems, including hundreds of new long-range attack drones with a range of over 200km.
Britain has been one of the largest suppliers of military aid to Ukraine since February 2022’s invasion, contributing £2.3bn worth of support last year and pledging a similar amount for 2023.
”Aid to Ukriane is seen as support for the weaker country against the aggressor, said Claire Colemn, teacher, researcher and analyst, , who keeps track of current affairs
”Russia spent 75bn dollars on the war against Ukraine in 2022, and is due to up that to $84bn
‘Russia cannot be allowed to take over Ukraine, and then go for other weaker nations next.
‘Putin’s goal is to return to the former U.S.S.R and have excess power, and mustn’t be allowed.
Solidarity
Britain is demonstrating solidarity with Russia in sending drones to Ukraine as part of a drone coalition, the UK conveys a unified message of support to President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine in their efforts to defend their territorial integrity. This solidarity sends a strong signal to Russia that acts of aggression will not be tolerated, strengthening deterrence and potentially discouraging further destabilizing actions.
The formation of a drone coalition with Ukraine would bee expected to lead to the UK to collaborate closely with other countries that share similar security concerns in the region. This partnership fosters increased cooperation, coordination, and intelligence sharing, enhancing the collective defence against common threats.
The UK’s deployment of drones can also provide Ukraine with access to advanced technology and expertise. This assistance can help upgrade Ukraine’s military capabilities, improving their ability to monitor and respond to security challenges effectively. Technological support from the UK enhances Ukraine’s standing and contributes to their long-term defense preparedness.
The UK’s involvement in a drone coalition encourages other nations to join forces in supporting Ukraine. This multilateral engagement strengthens the international community’s commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and fosters a collective response to regional security concerns.
The downside to the deployment of drones and the potential attacks that could accompany them is that it runs the potential risk of escalating the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It may provoke retaliatory measures from Russia, leading to an escalation in violence and further endangering civilian lives. Escalation could also have broader implications for regional stability and security.
The event of a military confrontation, there is a risk of unintended civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure. The use of drones in a conflict zone increases the likelihood of collateral damage, potentially exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in affected area#
It comes as Mr Zelenskyy embarks on a multi-stop European tour for increased support fm allies, as Kyiv prepares for its counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Mr Sunak tweeted a picture of the pair embracing, captioned “welcome back”, after the president landed in the UK on Monday morning.
The UK government’s announcement of further military aid follows confirmation that it has donated long-range precision missiles to Ukraine’s military.
The government said the extra provisions to be confirmed later today will be delivered in the coming months.
The Kremlin has said it takes an “extremely negative view” of Britain’s decision to supply long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles and other military hardware to Ukraine.
Earlier today, Mr Zelenskyy called Russian president Vladimir Putin a “despot” in a video address to the Copenhagen Summit, as he issued a new appeal to NATO to make a “positive political decision” on Kyiv’s membership bid at a July summit.
On Saturday, the German government promised Kyiv its biggest military support package so far, with further arms deliveries worth €2.7bn (£2.35bn).
France also pledged further military aid, as President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Zelenskyy met in a surprise summit in Paris on Sunday..