Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK would increase military funding for Ukraine by some £200 million ($260 million) to £2.5 billion, in a show of commitment to Kyiv as military action in the Middle East draws the world’s attention, according to Bloomberg.
The premier made the announcement on a visit Friday to Ukraine, where he’ll meet its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the UK government said in an emailed statement. Sunak is managing conflicts on two fronts after joining US President Joe Biden in launching air strikes with the US against Houthi targets in Yemen earlier on Friday, in response to attacks in the Red Sea.
Sunak also said he would sign new security guarantees with Ukraine that would see Britain provide “swift and sustained” support for the country if it is attacked by Russia again in the future. The UK had provided Ukraine £2.3 billion in each of the past two years.
The UK would continue to offer intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, medical and military training, as well as defense industrial cooperation, Sunak’s office said. Britain is the first country to sign bilateral security guarantees with Ukraine after Group of Seven nations pledged to pursue agreements at the NATO summit in Vilnius last year.
The increased UK funding for Ukraine’s military will go toward long-range missiles, air defense, artillery ammunition and maritime security, Sunak’s office said. At least £200 million ($255 million) would be spent on thousands of military drones, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones.