Ukraine war: Zelensky seeks fighter jets from France and Germany

• Ukraine’s president has moved his request for fighter jets to France and Germany.
• Both the French president and the German chancellor have been chastised for taking too long to help Ukraine.
• Mr. Zelensky’s trip to Brussels comes after he spoke to the UK Parliament on Wednesday.

Following a meeting with UK officials, Ukraine’s president has moved his request for fighter jets to France and Germany.

On Wednesday evening, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the presidents of the two countries in Paris, where they reaffirmed continued support for Ukraine.

Emmanuel Macron of France and Olaf Scholz of Germany both stated that Russia must not win the conflict.

When he meets with European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday, Mr. Zelensky will make additional requests for jets.

In addition to the Leopard 2 tanks, he believes that fighter jets and long-range missiles are critical.

Mr Zelensky, speaking at a joint news conference with Mr. Macron and Mr. Scholz on Wednesday evening, said France and Germany had the potential to be “game changers” in the battle against Russia by providing Ukraine with combat tanks, contemporary fighter jets, and long-range missiles.

He stated that the provision of the jets had been discussed and warned that there was “very little time” to supply the weaponry.

Mr. Macron said Ukraine could count on France’s backing and that the country was “determined to help Ukraine to victory and the re-establishment of its legitimate rights”.

Chastised for taking too long to help Ukraine

Both the French president and the German chancellor have been chastised for taking too long to help Ukraine.

Mr. Zelensky has previously expressed his displeasure with Mr. Macron, who continued to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the invasion.

However, the Ukrainian president told the French publication Le Figaro that he believed Macron had changed his mind. He stated that his resolve to assist Ukraine in its success was evidenced by the fact that he “opened the door” to tank deliveries last month.

Mr. Zelensky’s trip to Brussels comes after he spoke to the UK Parliament on Wednesday.

He also urged London to provide combat jets to aid Ukraine’s war operations.

“Freedom will win – we know Russia will lose,” he told a crowd of MPs and peers in Westminster Hall, adding the UK was with his country on a march to “the most important victory of our lifetime”.

Downing Street said Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was investigating what aircraft the UK could potentially offer, but emphasized this was “a long-term solution” and that training pilots could take years.

Russia has warned there would be a “response” from Moscow if anyone did provide Ukraine with aircraft.

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