Speech

Prime Minister's remarks at joint press conference with President Zelenskyy: 12 January 2024

皇冠体育app Prime Minister's remarks at a joint press conference with President Zelenskyy on 12 January 2024.

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Volodymyr, thank you for the very kind honour you鈥檝e just bestowed on me and for inviting me here today.

It is an honour to stand with you鈥�

鈥nd to send a message on behalf of the United Kingdom鈥�

鈥nd indeed your allies around the world:

Ukraine is not alone.

And Ukraine will never be alone.聽

Putin might think he can outlast us 鈥� but he is wrong.

We stand with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.

Because this war is about Ukraine鈥檚 right to defend itself and determine your own future.

And the Ukrainian people鈥檚 historic choice鈥�

鈥o be an independent democracy at the heart of Europe.

Your quest for freedom has inspired and moved the British people.

And for the free nations of the world, aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective security.

Because if Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there.

And our opponents around the world believe that we鈥�

鈥ave neither the patience nor resources for long wars.

So waver now, and we embolden not just Putin鈥�

鈥ut his allies in North Korea, Iran, and elsewhere.

That鈥檚 why the United Kingdom 鈥� and the free world - will continue to stand with Ukraine鈥�

鈥s we have since the very beginning of this war.

Judge our commitment to Ukraine鈥檚 freedom not by our words, but by our actions.

皇冠体育app UK was the first to train Ukrainian troops.

First in Europe to provide lethal weapons.

First to commit western battle tanks.

First to provide long-range weapons.

But we need to do more.

Our actions right now will determine the path of the war鈥�

So, far from our resolve faltering, the United Kingdom is announcing today鈥�

鈥he biggest single package of defence aid to Ukraine since the war began, worth 拢2.5bn.

This will include:

More air defence equipment鈥�

More anti-tank weapons鈥�

More long-range missiles鈥�

Thousands of rounds more ammunition and artillery shells鈥�

Training for thousands more Ukrainian servicemen and women.

And 拢200m to build thousands more drones鈥�

鈥he single largest package of drones given to Ukraine by any nation.

In total, since the war began, the UK will have provided almost 拢12bn of aid to Ukraine.

And I鈥檓 proud that today, President Zelensky and I鈥�

鈥ave signed a new security agreement鈥�

鈥hat will form the core of a partnership between our two countries鈥�

鈥hat will last a hundred years or more.

This is the first in a series of new, bilateral security assurances promised to Ukraine by 30 countries鈥�

鈥t last year鈥檚 Vilnius Summit.

And it says that if Russia ever invades Ukraine again鈥�

鈥he UK will come to your aid with swift and sustained security assistance.聽

We will provide modern equipment across land, sea, and sky鈥�

Sanction Russia鈥檚 economy鈥�

And work closely with allies to do so.聽

You will not have to ask.

You will not have to argue for what you need.

皇冠体育app UK will be there from the first moment to the last.

And of course, we continue to support Ukraine鈥檚 journey to NATO membership.

You belong in NATO and NATO will be stronger with you.

I pay tribute to all those whose significant efforts made today鈥檚 agreement happen鈥�

鈥rom the Office of the President, to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and many others besides.聽

President Zelensky and his team serve not only their country but the cause of peace and justice.

皇冠体育app UK Parliament applauded your courage, resilience, and sincere love聽of聽for your country.聽

Even at a time of war, you are reforming Ukraine for the better.

And with your leadership, Ukraine will prevail.

Volodymyr, the UK stands with you.聽

I believe this is the greatest moment in the history of our relationship.

It extends security guarantees from the UK to Ukraine that are unprecedented.

It defines our future as allies, working together for the security of Europe.

And it says that Ukraine鈥檚 place is, without doubt, among the free nations of the world.

Be in no doubt:

We are not walking away.

Ours is the unbreakable alliance.

皇冠体育app聽nezlamni allianz.

And just as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine鈥�

鈥o those same principles guide our actions around the world.

Let me say a brief word about the situation in the Red Sea.

Overnight, the Royal Air Force carried out strikes against two Houthi military facilities in Yemen.

I want to be very clear that these were limited strikes, carefully targeted at launch sites for drones and ballistic missiles.聽

Over recent months, the Houthi militia have repeatedly attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea鈥� risking innocent lives and causing huge economic disruption.聽

In December, we launched Operation Prosperity Guardian with our allies to bolster maritime security.聽

On 3 January, 14 counties issued a clear warning that attacks must cease.

On 10 January, the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning the attacks鈥� and highlighting the right of nations to defend their vessels and preserve the freedom of navigation.

Yet the attacks have continued.聽

British and American warships have been targeted.聽

That鈥檚 why we鈥檝e taken this further, limited action today鈥� in self defence, consistent with the UN Charter.聽

In the face of this aggression, we will always stand up for the rule of law.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 12 January 2024