Sunak confirms UK’s decision to provide Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed the UK government's decision to provide Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks.

This is said in a statement released by the British Prime Minister's Office.

"The leaders reflected on the current state of Russia's war in Ukraine, with successive Ukrainian victories pushing Russian troops back and compounding their military and morale issues. They agreed on the need to seize on this moment with an acceleration of global military and diplomatic support to Ukraine," the statement says.

It is noted that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak outlined the UK's ambition to intensify support to Ukraine, "including through the provision of Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems."

Sunak and Zelensky welcomed other international commitments in this vein, including Poland's offer to provide a company of Leopard tanks.

"The Prime Minister stressed that he and the whole UK Government would be working intensively with international partners to deliver rapidly the kind of support which will allow Ukraine to press their advantage, win this war and secure a lasting peace," the statement says.

As reported, according to The Sun, the UK government decided to provide Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks – a group of four tanks will be delivered immediately, with a further eight following shortly afterwards.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Britain's strong support for Ukraine is now impenetrable and ready for challenges.

"Always strong support of the UK is now impenetrable and ready for challenges. In a conversation with  Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, I thanked for the decisions that will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners," Zelensky wrote on Twitter.