British Prime Minister Announces $3.1 Billion Military Aid Package for Ukraine

Published: 13 Jan 2024 03:03 GMT

The British Prime Minister announced a military aid package for Ukraine worth more than $3.1 billion, which will be the largest batch of assistance provided since the start of the conflict.

The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, paid a visit to kyiv this Friday, within the framework of which the signing of the Security Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and Ukraine took place. The agreement provides for extensive military assistance for kyiv, but does not include the possibility of direct participation by London in the conflict over Ukrainian territory.

This is the first bilateral agreement reached within the framework of the joint declaration of the G7 countries on aid to Ukraine, which was approved in July last year in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.

Al comment Upon signing the pact, which will be in force for 10 years and could then be extended, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky declared that it is the day “when the history of Europe has changed.”

“We arrive to an agreement with the United Kingdom on security in all spheres: on land, air, sea, cyberspace and in broad political cooperation“said the president, pointing out that this measure will allow us to “reach a level of security that, by its mere existence, will serve as a deterrent for aggressive Russia.”

According to Zelensky, the guarantees provided by London “will be valid until [Ucrania] “If this happens before the expiration of the agreement, the security architecture that we have created will actually be incorporated into the security system of the entire Alliance,” he said.

For his part, Sunak announced a military aid package for Ukraine worth £2.5bn (almost $3.185 million), in what will be the largest batch of assistance provided since the beginning of the conflict. “This means more anti-tank weapons, more missiles, hundreds of thousands of new artillery shells,” Sunak declared, adding that the package also provides for the training of “thousands of Ukrainian soldiers.”

Key provisions of the agreement

He covenant reached stipulates that London and kyiv decided to “deepen their cooperation.” The main components of the security commitments undertaken by the United Kingdom include:

• provide assistance to Ukraine to “protect and restore its territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders”
• prevent and counter any military escalation
• support Ukraine’s future integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Regarding military cooperation, the agreement provides “the continued provision of security assistance and modern military equipment” for the defense of Ukraine and London’s support for the development of modern Armed Forces in that country, “interoperable with NATO”, as well as its maritime fleet. The United Kingdom will work for the development of Ukraine’s defense industrial sector and support the localization of production, maintenance and repair of British defense items.

London also pledged to support efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities to defend its critical infrastructure, as well as detect and thwart cyberspace and espionage attacks. The British part pledged to keep anti-Russian sanctions in force as long as the conflict continues and to support the process of building a modern Ukrainian economy.

kyiv, in turn, reiterated its commitment to implement institutional reform of the government, continue the fight against corruption and promote reforms in the security, defense and economic sectors.

The agreement also describes measures to be taken if there is an armed attack against Ukrainian territory, but does not mention the possibility of direct participation by the United Kingdom in the conflict or the deployment of its troops on Ukrainian territory. Thus, it indicates that in the event of an armed attack by Russia, the two parties consultations will be held within the first 24 hours “to determine measures necessary to counteract or deter aggression.” Under these conditions, the United Kingdom promises to provide security assistance and military equipment, impose sanctions against Russia and consult Ukraine about its needs.

2024-01-13 03:30:46
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