UK Fighter Jets For Ukraine Ruled Out Despite Warning War Could Stretch Into 2024

Rishi Sunak believes it is "not practical" to send British fighter jets to Ukraine, despite being keen to boost support to Kyiv to avoid a lengthy stalemate in the country's war against Russian invaders. The Ukraine conflict is likely to grind on throughout 2023, Western defence officials warned yesterday, even if both sides make territorial gains at different times.

- Adam Forrest

The prime minister told his cabinet a "prolonged stalemate" in the war in Ukraine "would only benefit Russia" and its president Vladimir Putin, according to No 10. Mr Sunak said he wanted to seize an opportunity to "accelerate" UK support to give Ukraine "the best chance of success and make the most of the window of opportunity where Russian forces were on the back foot".

Downing Street said training Volodymyr Zelensky's forces on "extremely sophisticated" Typhoons and F-35s would take too long. However, it does not oppose allies sending their own jets after French president Emmanual Macron yesterday refused to rule it out. Officials also said recent pledges made by the UK, US and Germany mean the total number of tanks heading to Ukraine now exceeds the 300 Mr Zelensky has asked for - but the vehicles are unlikely to be sent to the battlefield until the end of March.