Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Britain for its “big support from the first days of full-scale invasion” as he met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street.

Mr Zelensky is in London to discuss further British arms supplies for Ukraine ahead of an offensive expected to be launched by Russia as the first year of its invasion comes to an end.

The UK announced a new round of sanctions “on Russian military and Kremlin elites,” including six entities providing military equipment such as drones for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions also target eight individuals and one entity connected to financial networks that help “maintain wealth and power amongst Kremlin elites,” the government said in a statement as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Britain.

“Ukraine has shown Putin that it will not break under his tyrannical invasion. He has responded by indiscriminately striking civilian areas and critical national infrastructure across the country,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

“We cannot let him succeed. We must increase our support.”

Photographs have landed showing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and British prime minister Rishi Sunak arriving at Downing Street.

British prime minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian prime minister Volodymyr Zelensky have arrived at Downing Street where they will discuss further UK arms supplies for Ukraine as it prepares to defend against an expected Russian offensive.

Volodymyr Zelensky is to visit Brussels tomorrow a European Union diplomat said on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian president is currently in London with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before a meeting with King Charles and an address to parliament.

His trips aim to drum up support for Ukraine ahead of an expected Russian offensive.

Watch live as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at Downing Street to meet Rishi Sunak.

Ukrainian pilots are to be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated Nato fighter planes, Downing Street said ahead of today’s visit to Britain by Volodymyr Zelensky.

The UK will also offer an intermediate training programme for Ukrainian marines and has promised an “immediate surge” of military equipment including longer-range weapons.

Downing Street said the government is following a “two-pronged” approach, with more military kit now to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support for the future.

Although Ukraine is desperate for fighter jets immediately to counter the Russian air force, the length of the required training means that No 10 has said the pilot programme is a “long-term capability investment”.

The training will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard fighter jets in the future.

While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, the older F-16s widely operated by other Nato countries are more likely to be supplied to Ukraine, should Western leaders agree to Mr Zelensky’s requests.

Independent TV has clipped the moment Volodymyr Zelensky touched down in Britain.

The Ukrainian president was in the country to push for stronger arms support, in his first trip to the UK since the Russian invasion last year.

King Charles will hold an audience with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky today, Buckingham Palace said.

The president has landed at Stansted airport and is set to visit London, where he will also meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and address the British parliament.

Watch live as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky lands at Britain’s Stansted airport: