The UK has announced an urgent allocation of an additional £100 million (€115 million) to strengthen Ukraine's air defences to “help protect the country from relentless Russian attacks”.
This is stated on the British government website.
“Funding will be quickly directed to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, ensuring better protection of frontline forces and key national infrastructure from air attacks,” the statement said.
It is noted that, together with this latest aid package, the UK has allocated £600 million over the past two months to strengthen Ukraine's air defences, reaffirming “the government's determination to save lives and strengthen Ukraine's resilience.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Putin's “unprovoked full-scale invasion” had damaged households across the country, “raising the cost of living and undermining European security.”
“To ensure this never happens again, and to protect the people of our country from the very real threat posed by Russia, I am determined to do everything I can to support a sovereign and free Ukraine for generations to come. This vital air defence package will do just that, protecting millions of people in Ukraine from Russia's barbaric attacks on their cities and homes, while their armed forces bravely defend their country and our values on the frontline,” Starmer said.
Britain announced the new aid package after today's meeting of the leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force in Helsinki, where they discussed how partners can “go further and faster in supporting Ukraine.”
The announcement also followed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to London last week, during which the Prime Minister heard firsthand about the courage and determination “that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to demonstrate in repelling attacks by Russian forces.”
“Ukraine continues to defend itself bravely against Putin's brutal attacks, and I am proud of how the UK is stepping up its support for Ukraine to achieve peace on its own terms. This will provide Ukraine with vital air defences to protect civilians, cities and critical infrastructure from Russia's relentless attacks,” said British Defence Secretary John Healy.