Ukraine and UK strengthen talks on air defense ahead of Russian attacks in winter
President Zelensky meets with Secretary of State for Defenсe of the United Kingdom, Grant Shapps, who is on a visit to Kyiv, September 28. Photo: Office of the President
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the newly appointed the UK's Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps in Kyiv.
The Office of the President reports that the Ukrainian leader thanked Great Britain for their powerful support during the war.
"On behalf of the whole nation, I thank you for everything you are doing for us. We are grateful for your help – military, financial, humanitarian. We greatly appreciate that we can rely on you," said the president.
Volodymyr Zelensky said he highly valued the level of defense cooperation with the United Kingdom, which significantly expands the capabilities of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield, in particular, thanks to long-range weapons.
As Rubryka reported, the UK provided Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which the Ukrainian army has already used to target the Russian Black Sea fleet and troops in occupied Crimea.
President Zelensky meets with Secretary of State for Defenсe of the United Kingdom, Grant Shapps, who is visiting Kyiv on September 28.
Photo: Office of the President
Zelesnky and Shapps also discussed strengthening Ukrainian air defense, which is especially important on the eve of the winter. Ukrainians expect Russians to strike their country's energy facilities again, leaving the citizens without electricity and heating like during last year's massive attacks.
The parties also discussed the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine by the G7 at the Vilnius NATO Summit and the start of negotiations with Great Britain on security guarantees for Ukraine.
