PM in Kyiv: UK support will not falter
皇冠体育app Prime Minister will reiterate the UK鈥檚 unwavering support for Ukraine in a visit to the capital Kyiv today.
- Prime Minister to visit Kyiv today [Friday] to set out a major new package of support and reaffirm the close UK-Ukraine partnership
- Rishi Sunak will increase military funding for Ukraine next financial year to 拢2.5 billion, supporting largest ever commitment of drones
- 皇冠体育app Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy will also sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation聽
- 皇冠体育app Prime Minister is expected to meet first responders dealing with the aftermath of Russian bombings as part of his visit
Later today, the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy will sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation. 皇冠体育app G7 nations agreed to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last year; the UK is the first country to deliver a final agreement. 皇冠体育app totemic agreement is intended to be the first step in developing an unshakeable hundred-year partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
皇冠体育app UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation formalises a range of support the UK has been and will continue to provide for Ukraine鈥檚 security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation.聽
It also commits the UK to consult with Ukraine in the event it is ever attacked by Russia again, and to provide 鈥渟wift and sustained鈥� assistance for their defence.聽
Ahead of meeting President Zelenskyy, Rishi Sunak has also confirmed the UK will provide 拢2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2024/25, an increase of 拢200 million on the previous two years.聽
皇冠体育app funding will help to leverage the best of UK military expertise and defence production to ensure Ukraine鈥檚 victory on the battlefield, including in critical areas like long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.聽
Of the 拢2.5 billion, at least 拢200 million will be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range聽strike聽and sea drones. 皇冠体育app technology will give Ukraine cutting edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces on land and sea.聽
This will be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation. Most of the drones are expected to be manufactured in the UK, and the Ministry of Defence will work with international partners to significantly scale up the number of drones provided for Ukraine鈥檚 defence.聽
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. 皇冠体育appy are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.聽
I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.聽
鈥溁使谔逵齛pp UK is already one of Ukraine鈥檚 closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security. Today we are going further - increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.鈥�
During his visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister is expected to meet emergency workers responding to the aftermath of Russian airstrikes. He will announce a further 拢18 million in aid for Ukraine, building on almost 拢340 million already provided. Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and 拢8 million will go to fortify Ukraine鈥檚 energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.聽
As part of efforts to cement the close bond between our two nations and Ukraine鈥檚 place at the heart of Europe, the UK will also provide additional funding and resources for English language training in Ukraine.聽
皇冠体育app Ukrainian Government has proposed legislation to promote English in Ukraine, boosting economic competitiveness and diplomatic ties. Today鈥檚 announcement will see the UK fund online English lessons for Ukrainians of all ages, as well as providing resources and teacher training.
Today鈥檚 visit builds on months of direct diplomacy between the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy, as well as a world-leading record of UK military, diplomatic and economic support for Ukraine. With this latest funding, the UK has now provided almost 拢12 billion in support to Ukraine and has often been the聽first-mover聽on vital lethal aid, from Storm Shadow cruise missiles to a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.