President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has announced on his Telegram channel that he discussed strengthening air defense (PVO) and long-range capabilities for the Ukrainian army with the UK Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps, in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that the meeting focused on continuing defense cooperation between the two countries.
“The main focus is on strengthening PVO, long-range capabilities of our army, meeting other urgent needs for weapons and ammunition, as well as the issue of joint weapon production,” the publication clarifies.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, has been appointed as the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
There have been multiple reports about plans to send Zaluzhny as an ambassador to the UK. However, sources stated that when Zelensky made the offer in February, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine declined.
Earlier, the UK Foreign Secretary, Cameron, stated that achieving peace in Ukraine can only be done by force.
[Additional context: It is important to note that tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been ongoing since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists has resulted in thousands of casualties and displacement of civilians. The Ukrainian government has sought international support, particularly from Western countries, to bolster its defense capabilities and counter Russia’s aggression.]
