Zelenskyy asks for fighter jets on Europe tour

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited London on Wednesday to meet with lawmakers. It is just the second international trip he has taken since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. Zelenskyy thanked the British Parliament for its support and called on Western leaders to supply the country with combat aircraft. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the United Kingdom will expand training programs for Ukrainian soldiers, including new fighter jet training. Zelenskyy traveled to Paris on Wednesday evening to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Why does Kyiv want fighter jets? Ukrainian officials anticipate increased Russian attacks this spring and have requested combat aircraft to protect the nation’s skies. Kyiv has been successful in lobbying for heavy military equipment, including tanks, to prepare for counter-offensives. Some Western leaders are concerned that supplying fighter jets could escalate tensions with Russia.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s report on The World and Everything in It podcast about Russia obtaining missiles from Iran.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.