The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, continues the series of foreign trips that started in early May. During this time, he visited Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain, where he constantly raised the issue of the supply of Western-style combat aircraft.
Finland
The series of foreign trips began the week before last. On May 3, Zelenskyi visited Finland, where he held meetings with President Sauli Niinisto and prime ministers of Northern European countries, and also took part in the Nordic countries summit.
The president himself stated the purpose of the visit - to strengthen support for Ukraine on the eve of a counteroffensive by the Armed Forces. He also called on Finland to hurry up with the 15th aid package, which will include equipment for the armed forces, because it is not so much about numbers and weapons, but about "the number of lives saved."
At a press conference with the Finnish president, Zelenskyi optimistically stated that he was waiting for the allies' decision on the transfer of combat aircraft after the Ukrainian counteroffensive. In particular, he noted that he would like to receive Hornet aircraft, which are in service with Finland. However, the Finnish leader emphasized that they are allegedly too old.
According to the results of Nordic countries, Zelenskyi expressed hope that at the June NATO summit, the Ukrainian side will receive an invitation to join the Alliance. The leaders of Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden signed a joint document on supporting Ukraine's accession to NATO and the European Union.
The Netherlands
The next day, Zelenskyi went to the Netherlands, where he held meetings with Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander de Croo, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and delivered a speech at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
In The Hague, the President of Ukraine announced the need to launch a full-fledged tribunal to investigate Russia's military aggression. According to him, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, should be on the dock. In addition, he emphasized that the war in Ukraine should become the last major military conflict in the world.
At the press conference, Zelenskyi noted that today there is no reason why allies should not transfer combat aircraft to Ukraine. Mark Rutte assured him that he was working on this issue with Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain and other partners, including the supply of F-16s. And the Belgian prime minister announced another package of military aid, but did not reveal the details.
The Ukrainian president was also shown artillery, armored vehicles and the Patriot anti-missile defense system, which will be handed over to the Netherlands.
Italy
Zelenskyy returned to Ukraine on May 5, but resumed his foreign trips within a week. During this time in Kyiv, he received a delegation from the American Congress, as well as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. One of the main results of the latter's visit was the declaration of the EU's readiness to provide about 1 million 155-mm artillery pieces and more than 1,000 missiles.
Already on May 13, he went to Italy and met with President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis.
After the talks with Maloney, he stated that they discussed defense cooperation and strengthening the protection of the Ukrainian sky, the implementation of the peace formula, the return of children deported to Russia, the strengthening of sanctions against the Russian Federation and the approach of Ukraine's membership in the EU.
The Italian Prime Minister expressed confidence in the victory of Ukraine, but without any statements regarding specific military aid. It should be noted that the Ukrainian side is counting on the supply of the SAMP-T anti-missile defense system from Italy and France. Zelenskyi himself hinted at agreements regarding the supply of weapons and air defense equipment.
At the meeting with the Pope, he offered the Vatican to join the Ukrainian peace formula. And in an interview with journalists, he emphasized that he does not need Francis as a mediator in negotiations with the aggressor country. But invites him to become one of the leaders in developing an action plan to achieve a just peace in Ukraine.
Germany
On the night of May 14, the president arrived in Germany. The program of the visit was not revealed in advance for security reasons, as information about the trip appeared in the media a week before it.
Zelenskyi met with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. According to him, arms deliveries, including Western fighter jets, were discussed. Scholz promised to help Ukraine as much as needed.
In addition, during the visit, Zelenskyi met with members of the German Security Cabinet. There he talked about the situation at the front and called for the removal of any restrictions and "red lines" on the supply of any types of weapons.
At a press conference with the German chancellor, the president of Ukraine announced work on creating a coalition of fighter jets, and part of his foreign trips are devoted to this issue. He also emphasized that it is important for Ukraine that Germany supports such a coalition.
When asked about the delivery of fighter jets, Scholz replied that Germany is focusing on the weapons systems that are already provided and those weapons that can be used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to force Moscow to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. These are Patriot, IRIS-T and Gepard air defense systems, as well as various artillery and salvo fire systems.
Before that, it became known that Berlin is preparing the largest package of military aid for 2.7 billion euros. It will include 20 Marder armored personnel carriers, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, 18 wheel howitzers, 4 IRIS-T SLM air defense systems, 12 IRIS-T SLS launchers, hundreds of guided missiles for them and 15 Gepards.
France
Late in the evening of May 14, Zelenskyi was in Paris. At the meeting with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, military aid and his participation in the fighter coalition were discussed. The issue of supporting Ukraine's accession to the European Union and NATO was also raised.
As Macron stated, his country will provide several battalions of the Ukrainian army with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks. He clarified that this includes heavy armored vehicles AMX-10RC.
In a joint statement following the meeting, the leaders of France and Ukraine called on Russia to withdraw the occupying forces from the captured Zaporizhzhya NPP in Energodar.
Great Britain
On the morning of May 15, the President of Ukraine arrived on a visit to London. Here he is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
It is reported that today Sunak will announce the transfer of hundreds of missiles for air defense and new attack drones with a range of more than 200 km. The new package will be announced just days after the delivery of the Storm Shadow cruise missiles was confirmed. The aid is expected to arrive in the coming months.
In addition, it is reported that Britain has prepared a training program for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 multipurpose fighters. The initial flight phase with basic training will start already this summer. It is also emphasized that London, together with other allies, is working on providing F-16s for the Ukrainian Air Force.
