Summary

  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has been in the UK for talks with Rishi Sunak

  • Zelensky held around two hours of talks with Sunak at Chequers near London

  • Afterwards, Sunak said the UK was "steadfast" in its support for Ukraine, telling Russia: "We're not going away"

  • Zelensky meanwhile repeated his request for more fighter jets to "control the sky"

  • But the UK later confirmed it was not sending jets to Ukraine, as it does not have the F16s requested

  • The UK has pledged "hundreds" of air-defence missiles and long-range attack drones

  • On Monday, Russia said it takes an "extremely negative" view of the UK's extra support

Live Reporting

Edited by Jamie Whitehead and Owen Amos

  1. A brief meeting, but always 'business to be done'

    Chris Mason
    Political editor

    I understand President Zelensky’s meeting with the prime minister will be relatively brief. It is expected to last a couple of hours.

    It is being characterised by those in government as a courtesy and a catch up rather than a negotiation.

    But “there is always business to be done”, as one source put it.

  2. What we know so far

    President Zelensky, pictured in Germany Sunday, has arrived in the UK this morningGetty Images

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Britain for "substantive negotiations" with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

    Here's what we know so far:

    • Zelensky has been meeting Western leaders in recent days to bolster support for Ukraine. His trip to the UK will be the fourth stop on a European tour that included meetings in Paris, Berlin and Rome
    • The meeting between the two leaders will not last more than a couple of hours
    • The UK said Sunak would reiterate the importance of providing a full package of support to Ukraine during the talks at Chequers, the prime minister's official country residence
    • Downing Street said the UK would confirm "hundreds" of air defence missiles and drones to help Ukraine's defence later today
    • "The UK is a leader when it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air," said Zelensky on Twitter. "This cooperation will continue today. I will meet my friend Rishi. We will conduct substantive negotiations face-to-face and in delegations."

    Read more: Zelensky arrives in UK for surprise meeting with Sunak

  3. Zelensky visiting days after UK announced long-range missile supply

    Storm Shadow missile (file pic)Gary Dawson/Shutterstock

    Zelensky's visit comes just four days after the UK announced it was Ukraine with long-range missiles.

    The Storm Shadow cruise missile has a range of over 250km (155 miles), according to the manufacturer.

    By contrast, the US-supplied Himars missiles used by Ukraine only have a range of around 80 km (50 miles).

    The Storm Shadows are fired from aircraft, so the longer range means Ukrainian pilots will be able to stay further from the frontlines.

    The UK is the first country to supply Ukraine with longer-range missiles.

  4. Welcome to our coverage

    Good morning and welcome to our coverage of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the UK.

    Zelensky is due to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for what he calls "substantive negotiations". His visit comes after the UK announced on Thursday it would supply Ukraine with long-range missiles to fight invading Russian forces.

    Announcing his trip on Twitter, Zelensky said the UK is a leader in "expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air".

    "This cooperation will continue today," he said.

    And speaking earlier this morning, Sunak said the UK would be “sustaining our support” of Ukraine.

    The prime minister said Kyiv needs the support of the international community as it is in “all our interest to ensure Ukraine succeeds”.

    "That is why the UK is sustaining our support to Ukraine - from tanks to training, ammunition to armoured vehicles," Sunak added.

    We will be bringing you live updates and analysis as the day unfolds - stay with us.