Britain could give Typhoons to Nato countries offering Kiev MiGs

The UK could offer Typhoon jets to NATO countries, which provide Ukraine with MiGs ready for immediate deployment.

Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace confirmed that the idea of ​​a “swap” was at play on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked for fighter jets to oust Vladimir Putin’s forces, but there are concerns it would take years to train Ukrainian pilots and ground crew to use Britain’s Typhoons and F-35s.

Experts say they wouldn’t be the most effective jets for the battlefield either.

In a round of interviews this morning, Ben Wallace suggested Britain could supply fighter jets to Eastern European allies so they could release their Soviet-era planes

There are concerns it would take years to train Ukrainian pilots and ground crew to operate Britain’s Typhoons (pictured) and F-35s

Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighters take part in NATO exercises

In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Wallace suggested Britain could supply fighter jets to Eastern European allies so they could release their Soviet-era planes.

Mr Wallace told Times Radio: “In the timescale of this conflict right now, the ability for us to train pilots for Typhoons and then train them to fight Typhoon is because combating aircraft is a very complicated multi-faceted process.

“And you also need about 200 people tending to the jets like a Formula 1 pit crew…the West doesn’t send RAF personnel or other air force personnel to Ukraine.

“The other fast way Ukraine can benefit from fighter jets is for the countries in Europe that have Russian-Soviet fighter jets – MiG 29 or Su-24 – if they want to donate, we can use our fighter jets for replenishment and security use it through.

“They are already configured to fight like NATO, which of course Ukraine doesn’t do.”

Britain will join the allies in promising to stand by the war-torn country for as long as needed.

The UK remains a prominent supporter of Kiev, with the government announcing earlier this year that Britain will be the first country to supply its armed forces with tanks.

But Zelenskyy’s call for fighter jets has so far met with reluctance from Western allies.

Mr. Zelensky, whose wartime leadership has made him a global figure, has embarked on a whirlwind of diplomacy in recent weeks as he toured Washington and European capitals to urge allies on the need for more aid.

At a G7 meeting, Mr Sunak is expected to urge other nations to supply longer-range weapons to Kiev, while repeating his offer of British support to countries able to provide aircraft.

“As a year of full-scale war erupted on our continent, I urge everyone to reflect on the courage and bravery of our Ukrainian friends who have fought heroically for their country every hour since,” he said.

“I am proud that the UK has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in this terrible conflict. As I stand outside Downing Street today with brave Ukrainian soldiers, my thoughts will go out to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom and restore peace to Europe.”

In London, Mr Sunak will lead a national minute’s silence to mark the anniversary.

Mr Sunak, who will also receive members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko at Downing Street, will hang a blue and yellow wreath on the door of No 10, accompanied by his wife Akshata Murty.

G7 leaders will meet to discuss a conflict that has scarred Europe and rocked the West.

With no end to the war in sight, Mr Sunak will urge his leaders to “arm Ukrainian troops more quickly” as the fight against Vladimir Putin’s forces continues.

“For Ukraine to win this war – and accelerate on this day – it must gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield. It will take that to change Putin’s way of thinking. That must be our priority now. Instead of an incremental approach, we need to move faster on artillery, armor and air defense,” Mr. Sunak is expected to tell world leaders in a virtual meeting.

Ukraine has been struggling with the devastation of the Russian invasion for a year (pictured Mariupol last April)

Volodymyr Zelensky made the case for fighter jets on a tour of Europe that started in the UK earlier this month (pictured).

“The coming weeks will be difficult for Ukraine, but they will also be difficult for Russia. You’re exaggerating again. So now is the time to support Ukraine’s plan to rearm, regroup and move forward.”

Crowds gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square on Thursday night to mark the anniversary, where Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and other speakers praised the bravery of Ukraine’s fighters.

In his interviews, Mr Wallace said Russia was forced to take a “meat grinder approach” after its forces failed to break through in Ukraine.

Mr Wallace said the Russian army was suffering “enormous casualties” on the battlefield for very little gain in territory.

“It will effectively transition to a meat grinder approach, sacrificing only its own soldiers for the Kremlin’s vanity

“That’s why we see huge losses in the Russian army and only gains, where we see gains, in metres, not miles.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk