President Zelensky thanks Britain and his pal ‘dear Rishi’ for helping to push back Russia

UKRAINE’s President Vol-odymyr Zelensky thanked Britain and his pal “dear Rishi” for helping to give him the “wings of freedom” to push back Russia.

Speaking to G7 world leaders in Hiroshima, Japan, he said thousands of lives would be saved thanks to the expected new F16 fighters providing an “umbrella to the skies”.

He thanked the PM “for your energy that gives us more visionary and far-reaching capabilities”.

“I believe that your leadership will help to give true force of law when, together with our partners, we’ll create the Tribunal on Russia’s aggression.

And he has promised US President Joe Biden the jets will not be used to directly attack Russia, amid fears of escalation.

Mr Sunak used his own address to warn a ceasefire would not be a “just peace” for Ukraine — which deserves sovereignty.

And he vowed the UK would back Ukraine for “as long as it takes”.

He said: “Those calling for peace but really meaning a ceasefire should recognise that is not peace”.

Instead they should demand a long-lasting agreement which respects their sovereignty and integrity in the international system, he said.