British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Ukraine will “never be alone” after the UK announced £2.5bn in military aid to Kiev in 2024. This is £200m more than aid provided in the previous two years years.
The agreement for the biggest British funding for the Russian-attacked country since the attacks began in February 2022 was signed by Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Friday.
The support is vital because if Vladimir Putin “wins in Ukraine, he won’t stop there,” Sunak said.
The military aid package, which will begin in April, includes long-range missiles, air defenses and artillery shells. Around £200 million will be spent on drones that the UK will produce for Ukraine. £18m will go towards humanitarian aid, help to strengthen Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and more online English language learning.
Downing Street said the package of support would form the first step in what it called an “unwavering 100-year partnership between Ukraine and the UK”.
Defense Minister James Heapy told the BBC that drones would give Ukraine an advantage in the coming years. He added that the funding shows that the UK maintains its leading position in Europe as the second largest donor to Ukraine.
During his visit, the British Prime Minister met with the emergency services and residents of Kyiv.
“I am here today with one message: the UK will not waver either. We will stand by Ukraine in its darkest hours and in better times to come.”said Sunak, who was last in Ukraine in November 2022.
Previously, he wrote on the social network Ex: “I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message. Our support cannot and will not wane. To all Ukrainians: Britain is with you – for as long as it takes.”.
I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message.
Our support cannot and will not falter.
To all Ukrainians, Britain is with you – for as long as it takes ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/1ya8m2seiJ
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) January 12, 2024
“The UK is now one of Ukraine’s closest partners because we recognize that their security is our security”he commented later.
“For two years, Ukraine fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unwavering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.”Sunak stated.
He said the signed agreement sends a strong signal to Putin and others that we are here to stay and support Ukraine in the long term.
“Today is a day when the history of Europe changed. Ukraine and the United Kingdom concluded a new and unprecedented security agreement. This is not just a declaration. This is a reality that will come about thanks to our cooperation, and in particular, the guarantees for security by the leading global power Britain”commented Volodymyr Zelensky, quoted by UNIAN.
“If a similar level of guarantees had been achieved after 1991 with Britain and other countries, then there simply would not have been Russian aggression.”added the Ukrainian president.
He welcomed Sunak’s personal leadership and said the agreement would set “the foundation for our further work with our other partners”.
The deal comes amid problems agreeing on aid packages to be provided by the US and the European Union as Ukraine desperately needs more shells and missiles.
Sunak expressed confidence that the allies “will unite to continue supporting Ukraine.”
In the US, Republicans have blocked a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine in an attempt to increase spending on dealing with migration along America’s southern border.
And in the EU, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has blocked a €50 billion support package for Ukraine in a funding dispute with Brussels.
The security agreement signed today formalizes the military and non-military cooperation between London and Kiev in support of the security of Ukraine, UNIAN reports.
