Volodymyr Zelenskyy ready to ‘strengthen strategic partnership’ with UK as Sunak becomes PM

Volodymyr Zelenskyy ready to ‘strengthen strategic partnership’ with UK as Sunak becomes PM
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 25/10/2022

- 13:26

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:34

Speaking outside Number 10 on Tuesday, the incoming Prime Minister referenced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine twice

The President of Ukraine has said he us “ready to continue strengthening the strategic partnership” with the UK as Rishi Sunak said the “terrible war… must be seen successfully to its conclusion”.

Speaking outside Number 10 on Tuesday, the incoming Prime Minister referenced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine twice, saying: “Putin’s war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over.”


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped Mr Sunak would “overcome all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today”.

In a tweet after Mr Sunak’s first speech as Prime Minister, Mr Zelensky said: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on taking office as Prime Minister!

“I wish you to successfully overcome all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today.

“I’m ready to continue strengthening the – strategic partnership together!”

In his congratulatory message to Mr Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron said the two countries would work together to tackle the challenge of the war in Ukraine.

Outgoing PM Liz Truss was widely criticised after she declined to say whether Mr Macron was a “friend or foe” when asked during the previous Tory leadership contest.

Mr Macron later suggested it was a “problem” if Britain could not call itself a friend of France.

Ms Truss eventually hailed the French President as a friend when the pair met at the first summit of the European Political Community in Prague.

In his message to Mr Sunak, Mr Macron tweeted: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak, who has become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“Together we will continue working to tackle the challenges of the moment, including the war in Ukraine and its many consequences for Europe and the world.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the Munich Security Conference in Germany where the Prime Minister is meeting with world leaders to discuss tensions in eastern Europe. Picture date: Saturday February 19, 2022.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Matt Dunham

Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak
HANNAH MCKAY

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