Rishi Sunak promises hundreds of long-range attack drones and air defence missiles for Ukraine as Zelensky fights back
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Chequers
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Rishi Sunak has promised the United Kingdom will send “hundreds” of long-range attack drones and air defence missiles to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister made the commitment after his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky touched down for talks at Chequers in a surprise visit to the UK today.
Britain has been at the forefront of supporting the ex-Soviet state against Vladimir Putin’s invading Russian troops.
In a statement, a Downing Street spokesperson confirmed Sunak will continue to assist Kyiv against Moscow.
Zelensky touched down at the Prime Minister's Buckinghamshire retreat this morning
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The statement said: “The Prime Minister welcomed Ukrainian President Zelensky to Chequers today.
“President Zelensky thanked the Prime Minister for the enduring support of the British people for the people of Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister outlined the new package of support the UK has announced today, including further air defence missiles and drones. This builds on the confirmation last week that the UK has become the first country to provide long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister reiterated that the UK will continue its support to ensure Ukraine secures a just and lasting peace. That includes both immediate military support and providing long-term security assistance to guarantee Ukraine’s ability to deter aggression.
“The Prime Minister said he would use his meetings with world leaders over the coming days at the Council of Europe and G7 Summits to stress the importance of sustaining global support for Ukraine at this pivotal time.”
Rishi Sunak promised to continue to support Ukraine against Russia
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Sunak added: “This is a crucial moment in Ukraine’s resistance to a terrible war of aggression they did not choose or provoke.
“They need the sustained support of the international community to defend against the barrage of unrelenting and indiscriminate attacks that have been their daily reality for over a year.
“We must not let them down. The frontlines of Putin’s war of aggression may be in Ukraine but the fault lines stretch all over the world.
“It is in all our interest to ensure Ukraine succeeds and Putin’s barbarism is not rewarded.
“That is why the UK is sustaining our support to Ukraine – from tanks to training, ammunition to armoured vehicles.
The Kremlin voiced its disappointment with the UK assisting Ukraine
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“And this message of solidarity will ring loud in all my meetings with fellow world leaders in the days ahead.”
The UK is the second-largest donor to Ukraine having handed the ex-Soviet state $7.16billion (£5.72billion) by the first anniversary of the war.
The United States has been the single largest-donor over the same period after giving Kyiv $46.65billion (£37.30billion).
But other European nations languished behind Britain in the first 12 months of the conflict, with Germany contributing just $3.86billion (£3.09billion) and the Netherlands coughing up $2.54billion (£2.03billion).
Zelensky said Ukrainians are “thankful from all our hearts” for the support provided by the UK.
Russia continues with its invasion of Ukraine more than a year after stepping foot into the ex-Soviet state
ReutersBut the comedian-turned-politician also claimed Kyiv “needs some more time” in its counter-offensive.
He said: “We really need some more time - not too much. We'll be ready in some time.
“To be very honest, I can't share with you some days and I just don't want to prepare, not for our friends.. but there are some secrets from our 'neighbours' and that's why we have to prepare.”
The Kremlin has voiced its disappointment at the UK for assisting Ukraine’s struggle against Russian troops.
Moscow confirmed it takes an “extremely negative view” of Britain’s decision to supply long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles and other military hardware to Ukraine.