Rishi Sunak tells Zelensky that Ukraine ‘belongs’ in Nato as they hold talks at summit amid tensions in military alliance over Kyiv becoming a full member
Rishi Sunak told Volodymyr Zelensky he ‘belonged’ in Nato today as they held talks at the military alliance’s summit.
The PM and Ukraine president greeted each other warmly at the gathering in Vilnius.
And Mr Sunak gave another strong indication of support for Kyiv becoming a full member – despite tensions with the US and other states over the idea.
Mr Zelensky has been left frustrated by the reluctance of the 31 existing members to agree a timetable for Ukraine to be admitted.
He said it is ‘absurd’ that Nato has insisted that there are still military and democratic ‘conditions’ to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.
Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky greeted each other warmly at the gathering in Vilnius
Mr Sunak gave another strong indication of support for Kyiv becoming a full member – despite tensions with the US and other states over the idea
Embracing Mr Zelensky in the Lithuanian capital this morning, Mr Sunak said: ‘It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong.’
Mr Zelensky said he was keen to advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that ‘real progress’ had been made in that regard.
The British premier has consistently stated that he sees Ukraine’s place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.
Mr Sunak has been working behind the scenes to deliver a non-Nato multilateral defence and economic agreement for Ukraine to give it long-term support against current and future Russian aggression.
All members of the G7 – made up of the UK, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada – are set to sign the pact with Ukraine, which the Prime Minister has said has the potential to ‘return peace to Europe’.
As well as holding talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian leader also met other G7 heads of state, including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
He is expected to meet US president Joe Biden later.
During the opening exchanges of their meeting, Mr Sunak praised the efforts of Ukraine’s armed forces in the pushback against Moscow’s invading forces.
The PMsaid: ‘What your soldiers are doing on the front line, it is inspiring to everyone.
‘We’re proud to have played a part in training some of them.
‘They have served with enormous bravery and courage.’
Mr Zelensky said the training missions in the UK had been ‘very important’, with Mr Sunak adding it was clear the exercises had ‘been put to good use’.
Mr Sunak suggested the pair meet without aides present, with the Ukrainian president agreeing that there should be ‘only two’ of them in the room.
Previously that was seen as unusual, but it has become a regular tactic of Mr Sunak in recent months to meet with his allies on a one-to-one basis.
Mr Zelensky said he was keen to advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that ‘real progress’ had been made in that regard
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