Acting swiftly to help Ukraine, Rishi Sunak appeals to allies

Rishi Sunak is set to urge allies to “act faster” in arming Ukraine during a G7 meeting marking the anniversary of Russia’s aggression.

In a video call on Friday, the prime minister will say that giving Ukraine a “decisive” advantage in the conflict “must be a priority now.”

The conference call will take place on the day of the event in the UK, including a minute’s silence at 11:00 GMT.

Actress Helen Mirren burst into tears at a memorial service in London on Thursday.

Dame Helen got emotional while reciting the English translation, written by Ukrainian poet Serhiy Zhadan, that picks up only the most important.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace described Ukrainian soldiers as “the bravest of the brave” while addressing the crowd in Trafalgar Square.

The section of Bayswater Road in central London leading to the embassy will be permanently renamed Kiev Road by the Westminster Council in another symbolic gesture to highlight British support.

Snak later plans to host Ukrainian troops at a rally in Downing Street.

Other British political leaders also marked the occasion, with Labor leader Sir Kiel Sturmer calling on Britain to “double” its support for Ukraine.

At least 100,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year. According to the US military.

Thousands of civilians have also been killed and more than 13 million people have fled the country or been displaced within Ukraine.

Rita and her four children were among those who fled the country in the early stages of the conflict. They now live in England with Rita’s British partner, Andy.

Rita told BBC Two’s Newsnight program that she would “never forget” the “horrible noise, that panic, that fear” when the Russian army invaded.

Rita said it was “painful” to see how parts of Ukraine had changed in the 12-month civil war.

“The country is suffering,” she said. “I know what my country is like and what it can be. I know how beautiful it is. Not now. [but] You can come back to that beautiful place.

“I can see summer – it will be warmer and greener. That is how I see Ukraine – there will be many green trees with many flowers … There are many smiles and tears of happiness…”

Ukraine is urging its Western supporters to step up aid as Russia mobilizes ahead of its expected spring offensive.

At a virtual meeting of leaders of the G7 group of developed nations, Sunak plans to say the acceleration of aid is “what it takes to change Putin’s mindset.”

“This should be our priority right now,” he adds. “We need artillery, armor and air defense to move faster, rather than a gradual approach.”

He is expected to discuss supplying Ukraine with “long-range weapons” to sabotage Russia’s ability to target Ukraine’s infrastructure.

During a recent trip to Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stepped up his calls for Western powers to supply his country with modern fighter jets.

Britain will begin training Ukrainian forces to fly NATO standard jets. But like other Western countries, it has not supplied jets so far, saying it is a long-term option.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was in office when Russia invaded, was among those urging for faster action on the jet, using the anniversary to give President Zelensky a weapon “to get the job done.” I repeated his call to give.

“Last year we learned that the West will sooner or later give Ukrainians what they need,” he said in a statement issued to journalists.

“If that is the choice, sooner or later, for Ukraine and the world, let’s do it sooner.”

Celebrating the anniversary, Lord Kiel said British political parties should continue in the coming months the unity they have shown so far during the war.

“The determination and courage of the Ukrainian people, supported by allies around the world, led to the failure of President Putin’s barbaric aggression,” he said.

“We should take inspiration from their courage and resolve to double down on their support.

“Their fight for democracy, liberty and freedom in the face of tyranny is our fight too.”

Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey paid tribute to the “amazing heroism in Ukraine” and said Britain would “stand in solidarity with Ukraine until they are victorious”.

In a letter to Ukrainians in Scotland to celebrate the anniversary, SNP leader and Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon wished “a swift victory for Ukraine”.

Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that if a peace deal was reached, Russia “must be able to recover and secure itself without being allowed to repeat aggression”.