UK to investigate sending jets to Ukraine amid plans to train pilots

Rishi Sunak has asked the Defence Secretary to investigate what jets the UK could potentially give to Ukraine, Downing Street has said.

It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his visit to London to urge the UK and Western allies to provide "wings for freedom" by supplying his air force with advanced jets.

Earlier, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots, paving the way for them to eventually be able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard jets, but that is seen as a long-term ambition.

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Downing Street on Wednesday was keen to stress that any potential move to send jets would not happen immediately and was part of the UK's long-term efforts to support Ukraine.

In a surprise visit, Mr Zelensky used an address to Parliament to thank the UK for its steadfast support since Russia invaded.

But, as he presented a Ukrainian fighter ace's helmet to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, he said more planes were needed to defeat Vladimir Putin's forces.

Mr Zelensky said he wanted a coalition of nations to supply planes.

He said: "I appeal to you and the world with simple and yet most important words: combat aircraft for Ukraine, wings for freedom."

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has tasked the Defence Secretary with investigating what jets we might be able to give but to be clear, this is a long-term solution, rather than a short-term capability, which is what Ukraine needs most now."

Downing Street said that the length of the training meant that it would necessarily form a long-term, potential plan.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson prior to this news put pressure on Mr Sunak to send jets and tanks to Ukraine.

He said more than 100 Typhoon jets were held by the UK and "the best single-use" for them would be in Ukraine.

Mr Johnson, who struck up a close relationship with Mr Zelensky while he was in No 10, said: "It is time to give the Ukrainians the extra equipment they need to defeat Putin and to restore peace to Ukraine."