Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Britain today i.e. on Wednesday, his first trip to the UK since Russia’s invasion began nearly a year ago and only his second confirmed journey outside Ukraine during the war.

Ukrainian President Zelensky visits the UK

According to the British government, president Zelensky will hold talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. During his visit, he will also address Parliament and meet with UK military chiefs.

The United Kingdom is one of the biggest military backers of Ukraine and has sent the country more than 2 billion pounds (USD 2.5 billion) in weapons and equipment, said the media reports.

Zelensky’s visit comes as PM Sunak announced that Britain will train Ukrainian pilots on “NATO-standard fighter jets.”

Ukraine has urged its allies to send jets, though the UK says it’s not practical to provide the Ukrainian military with British warplanes. More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops have also been trained at bases in the UK, some of the Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is sending.

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UK PM Sunak on Zelensky’s visit

Speaking to the media, the UK prime minister said, “I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future.”

“It also underlines our commitment to not just provide military equipment for the short term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for years to come,” he added.

This will be Zelensky’s second known trip visit abroad since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. He visited the US in December. Zelensky formed a bond with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was one of Ukraine’s most vocal backers. Sunak took office in October and has pledged to maintain the UK’s support.