Rishi Sunak to join world leaders for security conference

Ben Wallace will join fellow defence ministers for a Nato meeting in Brussels on Wednesday

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. PA

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to attend a conference on international security with other world leaders this weekend in Munich.

The meeting comes a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toured London, Paris and Brussels to convince allies to arm Kyiv with fighter planes.

Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday that Mr Sunak will travel to Germany for the gathering.

Last year the conference was held in the days leading up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Then-prime minister Boris Johnson used that event to warn Moscow that the West would stand with Ukraine in the event of an invasion.

Mr Sunak’s attendance at the conference would come amid speculation that London and Brussels are close to reaching a deal over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Rishi Sunak's first 100 days as prime minister - in pictures

Rishi Sunak has been British Prime Minister for 100 days. Here The National looks back at his time in No 10 Downing Street. Getty Images

Mr Sunak after being announced as winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest on October 24. Getty Images

King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak to Buckingham Palace where he invited him to become Prime Minister and form a new government. Getty Images

The new Prime Minister makes a speech outside No 10. Getty Images

Mr Sunak arrives at No 10 for the first time as Prime Minister. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street

Mr Sunak holds his first cabinet meeting. Getty Images

Hosting a reception to celebrate Diwali at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

A visit to Croydon University Hospital, south London. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty wearing poppies, with a special poppy collar for their pet Labrador Nova. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

The Prime Minister with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Cabinet Room at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

King Charles, Mr Sunak, fashion designer Stella McCartney and US climate envoy John Kerry at Buckingham Palace before Cop27. Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Getty Images

Mr Sunak during a call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his office. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

On Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

Mr Sunak with journalists on a flight to Bali and the G20 meeting. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

With Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the G20 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Getty Images

Mr Sunak with US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Getty Images

Mr Sunak meets rescue teams during his visit to Ukraine. Photo: No 10 Downing Street

Mr Sunak and his wife outside No 10 as the Christmas lights are turned on. Getty Images

Mr Sunak joins youth footballers from Wales and England to watch the World Cup match between the two nations. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

The Prime Minister reading congratulations cards from members of the public after being appointed. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

On a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after the announcement that Britain will develop next-generation fighter jets with Italy and Japan. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on a plane to Tallinn. Getty Images

The Prime Minister with troops at the Tapa military base, Estonia. Getty Images

The photo on Mr Sunak's official Christmas card. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

Mr Sunak prepares and serves breakfast on a visit to The Passage homeless shelter in London just before Christmas. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Making his first major domestic speech of the year. Getty Images

On a visit to Harris Academy in Battersea, London. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive at the Tower of London for a meeting. Getty Images

Toasting marshmallows on a visit to the Sea Scouts community group in Muirtown near Inverness. Getty Images

A Q&A session at The Platform in Morecambe, Lancashire, after a community visit to the Eden Project North. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt at Accrington Market Hall with local MP Sara Britcliffe to announce projects under the levelling-up fund. Getty Images

Attendance at the summit may provide a chance for the British leader to hold talks with EU leaders and try to to end the row over post-Brexit arrangements in the region.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will also join fellow ministers for a Nato meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

That meeting comes amid new tension with China after the US shot down four balloons flying in its airspace this month, with Washington declaring one of them to be a piece of Chinese spyware.

The UK is reviewing its own security measures after the incidents.

Everything you need to know about Rishi Sunak - video

Mr Wallace, who met his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksiy Reznikov on Tuesday, said that western allies would continue to “stand in solidarity” with the war-torn country.

“I am very pleased to be back at Nato to continue the vital work to support Ukraine, as well as meeting with my defence counterparts," he said.

“Our important work is ongoing, the UK and our Allies will stand in solidarity with Ukraine for as long as it takes."