NEWS STORY : Ben Wallace, UK Defence Secretary, Announces No Immediate Transfer of Military Aircraft to Ukraine
STORY
Ben Wallace, the UK Defence Secretary, has announced that there will be no immediate transfer of military jet fighters to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has asked the British Government to supply aircraft in advance of an expected fresh assault on his country from Russia. Wallace said that he didn’t rule out the transfer of jet fighters in the future, but said that in the short-term he would look at providing other forms of air cover to Ukraine.
The UK had previously declined to send jets, but had said this week that it was reviewing this situation. The Russian Embassy to the UK has already warned against any attempt to send fighter jets to Ukraine, saying that it would risk escalating the situation.
Speaking the previous day in Westminster Hall, Zelenskyy had said:
“I am proud of our air force. And I brought a present from them to you, Great Britain. Open, please. I will explain. It’s the helmet of a real Ukrainian pilot. He is one of our most successful aces. He is one of our kings. And the writing on the helmet reads: “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it.” I trust this symbol will help us form our next coalition – coalition of the planes. I appeal to you and the world with simple and yet most important words: Combat aircrafts – for Ukraine! Wings – for freedom!”
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