PM Sunak arrives in Ukraine, set to announce $3.2 billion aid package
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated.
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 12, the prime minister announced on social media, where he is expected to announce a new major military commitment to Ukraine.
"I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message. Our support cannot and will not falter," Sunak said on the social media platform X.
"To all Ukrainians, Britain is with you – for as long as it takes."
Sunak is set to announce in Kyiv that the U.K. will provide Ukraine with 2.5 billion pounds (around $3.1 billion) in military aid in 2024-2025, which is 200 million pounds more than in the previous two years.
"The funding will help to leverage the best of U.K. military expertise and defense production to ensure Ukraine’s victory on the battlefield, including in critical areas like long-range missiles, air defense, artillery ammunition, and maritime security," the U.K. government wrote in a press release published on Jan. 12.
Of the 2.5 billion pounds, at least 200 million will be spent to procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strikes, and sea drones, reads the press release.
This is meant to be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.
"Putin hoped the West would be distracted by events in the Middle East, but today we've taken the critical step to increase our military support to Ukraine, to get them more of what they need to win," Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.
U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said earlier this month that support for Ukraine within the country is bipartisan and not as controversial as in the U.S. and that London is ready to help for many years to come.
Dinara Khalilova
