R
ishi Sunak will call on G7 leaders to supply Ukraine’s armed forces with longer range weapons on the one year anniversary of the conflict.
The G7 is holding a teleconference on Friday afternoon along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Prime Minister raised the possible provision of the longer range weapons with President Zelenksy during his visit to the UK earlier this month.
Mr Sunak is also expected to reiterate his offer of support to eastern European countries able to provide jets to Ukraine to help in the immediate conflict.
He led the UK in a minute’s silence at 11am from outside Downing St as the King issued a message praising the “remarkable courage and resilience” of Ukraine’s people.
Charles said in his message: “It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation. They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy.”
Mr Zelensky earlier pledged to push for victory.
“We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!” he said.
Live updates
Tribute paid to children who have died in Ukraine
The walls and gates along Holland Park Avenue have been lined with toys by pupils from the nearby Ukrainian school as a tribute to the children who have lost their lives in the war.
Zelensky visits wounded soldiers with Polish PM
Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with injured soldiers at a Kyiv hospital on Friday.
“Poland was with us even before the start of the full-scale war, was with us every minute of this year and, I am sure, will be with us until our victory,” Mr Zelensky wrote in a post on Telegram.
Joe Biden issues statement of support for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden has issued a statement praising Ukraine and those who have defended the country.
“From Kherson to Kharkiv – Ukrainian fighters have reclaimed their land. And in more than half of the territory Russia held last year, the Ukrainian flag proudly waves once more,” he said.
He accompanied the message with a picture of him and Volodymyr Zelensky walking together in Kyiv.
Fresh sanctions imposed on Russia
The US is imposing a new round of Russian sanctions in co-ordination with G7 allies on the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
The sanctions will be aimed at Russian firms, banks, manufacturers and people and entities that helped Russia evade sanctions earlier in the year-long war against Ukraine.
Russia’s metals and mining sector is among those targeted in one of the US treasury department’s “most significant sanctions actions to date”, according to the agency.
The action seeks to punish 250 people and firms, puts financial blocks on banks, arms dealers and technology companies tied to weapons production, and goes after alleged sanctions evaders in countries from the United Arab Emirates to Switzerland.
Floral tributes outside Ukrainian Embassy
Floral tributes have been placed outside the Ukrainian Embassy in Holland Park, London.
Sweden is latest country to promise tanks for Ukraine
Sweden will send up to 10 Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defence Minister Pal Jonson said on Friday.
The announcement comes just hours after Poland said it had already delivered four Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said they are prepared to deliver more quickly during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (R) and Defense Minister Pal Jonson
/ TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty ImaPictured: Commemorations around the globe
Serbia
/ APNetherlands
/ APJapan
/ Getty ImagesG7 leaders meet this afternoon
The leaders of the G7 are meeting virtually this afternoon, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mr Sunak is expected to urge other leaders to move faster in arming Ukraine’s defence, and to provide more artillery and air defence support.
Sky News reports that Mr Sunak will also reiterate his promise that the UK is ready and willing to supply replacement jets to eastern European allies.
This would enable them to release their Soviet fighters to Ukraine, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said earlier on Friday.
Meanwhile Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he plans to present a set of “new ideas” for sanctions against Russia.
Labour supports Govt decision on jets
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has given his backing to Rishi Sunak’s Government’s approach to supporting and arming Ukraine, including on the issue of jets for Kyiv.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said backfilling allies with the UK’s jets to free up their own would be a quicker way to bolster Kyiv’s defences than providing them with British Typhoons.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “We should provide all the support that we can, we should do it in lockstep with Nato.
“The Prime Minister has said, that fighter jets are part of the conversation, and I think the Government is right about that.
“We are not going to politically divide on this. We will support the Government in the decision that it makes.”
Southeastern train named ‘Spirit of Ukraine’
Southeastern Railway has named a Class 707 City Beam train ‘Spirit of Ukraine’ to mark one year since Russia’s invasion.
An unveiling ceremony took place at Cannon Street Station in London, including a performance from members of the Canterbury Ukraine choir.
