By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Wednesday that "nothing was off the table" regarding providing military assistance to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Sunak in London in a surprise visit to the UK where he put additional pressure on the British government to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
"We must arm Ukraine in the short-term, but we must bolster Ukraine for the long-term,” Sunak said at a joint press conference in southwest England. "Russia will see more than ever that their tactics are only solidifying western resolve, only convincing us to go further and faster. And we will.”
Sunak said fighter combat aircraft are "of course part of a conversation," noting the announcement to train the Ukrainian air force on NATO-standard planes is a "first step in being able to provide advanced aircraft."
"That is process. It takes some time. We started that process today. That’s because we’re keen to support the president and his country in delivering a victory," he said.
Both countries also signed the London Declaration to deepen cooperation.
"In the coming days, we mark a year since the needless and unprovoked invasion, and Russia will see – more than ever – that their tactics are only solidifying western resolve. Only convincing us to go further, and faster, to help you, Volodymyr. And we will," said Sunak.