British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Ukraine, on Friday, and declared an increase in military assistance to Ukraine for the upcoming year.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion, the UK has been a major ally to Kyiv. Sunak announced that the UK’s support will be ramped up in the next fiscal year, reaching £2.5 billion, which is £200 million more than the assistance provided over the last two years.
This additional aid will enable Ukraine to acquire new military drones, encompassing surveillance, long-range attack, and naval drones, with the majority anticipated to be produced in the UK.
Sunak’s visit coincides with a critical juncture following the UK and US’s air and missile strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
These strikes, aiming to disrupt attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, were executed by the UK and US, along with allies Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, targeting around 60 sites in 16 locations in Yemen on Thursday night.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been urging Western allies for increased support against Russian aggression, as concerns grow over waning interest in the conflict due to its prolonged nature.
Meanwhile, the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, with Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza, has shifted global focus from Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, impacting international attention and response.
Sunak said: “For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.
“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.”
