Rishi Sunak says Ukraine 'belongs' in Nato after Zelensky blasts 'absurd' delays

12 July 2023 , 09:54

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Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky held talks on the fringes of the NATO summit in Lithuania (Image: Getty Images)

Rishi Sunak told Volodymr Zelensky Ukraine “belongs” in NATO as the pair held private one-to-one talks on the margins of a crunch summit.

Their meeting came a day after the Ukrainian President angrily blasted the alliance for “absurd” delays to Ukraine’s membership bid. The Prime Minister and hero leader met on the fringes of the coalition’s summit in Lithuanian capital Vilnius, 24 hours after Mr Zelensky’s furious rebuke to NATO chiefs.

The pair asked their advisers to leave the room so they could talk privately. As No10 aides milled around the wooden table, Mr Sunak, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and skinny purple tie, told them: "Actually, you guys, do you just want to leave us to it?”

The pair asked their aides to leave the room (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Turning to Mr Zelensky, he said: “Shall we just spend some time alone, one to one?” The President, clad in military khaki, agreed and sent his officials from the room. Mr Sunak pointedly told Mr Zelensky: “It’s good to see you here at Vilnius, where you belong. We’ve made some very good progress.”

The Ukrainian leader replied: “It’s very good news we are going to have success with security guarantees. I think it’s important.”

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Mr Sunak told the President: "What your soldiers are doing on the front line, it is inspiring to everyone. We're proud to have played a part in training some of them. They have served with enormous bravery and courage."

Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokeswoman said the leaders "discussed the increasing progress of the counteroffensive and the Prime Minister outlined a new package of UK support for Ukraine".

She added: “The Prime Minister welcomed the fact that the MAP (membership action plan) requirement for Ukraine had now been removed, smoothing the path to full NATO membership in the future. The Prime Minister and the President agreed on the importance of the security arrangements to be announced by the G7 this afternoon.

“They marked a new high point in support from the international community and would give Ukraine an even greater level of endurance against Russian aggression, the Prime Minister said. Both agreed the arrangements will not be a substitute for NATO membership, and looked forward to building on the new security framework as soon as possible.”

Following the talks, Mr Zelensky tweeted: "We discussed Ukraine's defense needs, further cooperation to expand the capabilities of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield, in particular through long-range weapons and, in the future, modern Western aviation. I am grateful to the Prime Minister and the United Kingdom for supporting Ukraine's accession to NATO and for participating in providing Ukraine with effective security guarantees for the period prior to membership in the Alliance.

"I am particularly grateful to the UK for the recent successful holding of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London and the decisions taken to provide our country with long-term financial support, in particular by allocating frozen assets for Ukraine's reconstruction."

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Ben Glaze