UK foreign secretary announces financial, military aid on visit to Ukraine
Zelenskyi met with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly during his visit to Kyiv (Photo:Office of the President of Ukraine)
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly during his visit to the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv announced both financial and military support for Ukraine, the UK Government said in a press release on Nov. 25.
In particular, Cleverly announced a further GBP 3 million ($3.6 million) in support for the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine to rebuild critical local infrastructure following Russia’s mass missile attacks.
The United Kingdom is also committing GBP 5 million ($6 million) for an Ukraine-led initiative to ship grain to countries at risk of famine.
In addition, the UK foreign secretary announced that the United Kingdom would provide Ukraine with an additional 35 emergency vehicles, including 24 ambulances and six armoured vehicles to support civilians caught in conflict.
Also, the United Kingdom will step up its support on demining, increasing its support from GBP 2 million ($2.4 million) this year, he said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the UK government for the military aid to Ukraine.
“Your visit is taking place amid a large-scale Russian missile attack, which left all of Ukraine without electricity and water,” Zelenskyy told Cleverly during their meeting in Kyiv.
“But that didn’t stop you. Thank you. We know that you are our friends and partners, and you are with us at this crucial time. Ukrainians will never forget this.”
The Ukrainian leader informed the UK minister about the consequences of Russian terrorist attacks on Ukraine’s critical civil infrastructure facilities and emphasized the importance of allocating funds for its restoration.
Zelenskyy also thanked the UK government for supporting the UN General Assembly’s resolution regarding a mechanism for collecting reparations from Russia for damage caused to Ukraine as a result of hostilities and missile strikes.
He also called on the United Kingdom to recognize the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people.
“It’s important to do this right now, when Ukrainians are commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor,” Zelenskyy said.
The UK foreign secretary arrived in Ukraine almost a week after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to the country.
The United Kingdom has systematically supported Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country, providing military and financial aid. About 6,000 Ukrainian servicemen have already completed training in the UK.
The former prime minister, Boris Johnson, made several visits to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The latest UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, also pledged his support to Ukraine and has already visited the Ukrainian capital city.
Sunak announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth GBR 50 million (almost $60 million) to strengthen Ukrainian air defense as a main priority. It includes 120 special anti-aircraft guns, radars, and anti-drone equipment.
On Nov. 9, the United Kingdom announced it would provide Ukraine with an additional 1,000 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) for strengthening the protection against Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.
Britain is also providing the Ukrainian military with additional winter equipment, including heavy duty sleeping bags and mats, as well as heated tents and cold-weather clothing.
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