British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Saturday for his first meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski since his arrival in Downing Street on October 25, in a meeting in which Sunak pledged to provide targeted military support worth nearly 60 million euros to bolster Ukrainian air defense.
In a Telegram post, Zelenski shared a video of the prime minister’s arrival. «Since the early days of the war, Ukraine and the UK have been the strongest allies,» the leader, since the beginning of the war a close ally of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has written.
«During today’s meeting, we discussed the most important issues both for our countries and for global security. Together we are stronger and we will achieve the desired results» he added.
During his visit, Sunak confirmed that the UK will strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses in through a major aid package estimated at 50 million pounds (about 60 million euros) to «protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from intense bombardment by Russian attacks.»
Specifically, this involves 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter Iranian-supplied drones, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability.
In the past week, Ukrainian forces have reported more than 148 Russian missile attacks that have left around 10 million people without electricity.
In addition, the UK will also reinforce the process of training the Ukrainian armed forces with doctors and military engineers to provide specialist support, continues the Downing Street statement, picked up by Sky News.
«I am proud of how the UK has supported Ukraine from the beginning and I am here today to say that this country and our allies will continue to stand by Ukraine as it fights to end this barbaric war and deliver a just peace,» Sunak made known.
«It is humbling to be in Kiev today and to have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much and paying such a high price to defend the principles of sovereignty and democracy,» he added.
