13 January 2024

Russia attacks 'arrogant British' after Sunak visits Ukraine to announce new military aid for war...

 Responding to Mr Sunak's visit, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned the UK against any deployments in Ukraine.

Mr Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said: "I hope that our eternal enemies - the arrogant British - understand that deploying an official military contingent to Ukraine would be a declaration of war against our country."

Russia attacks 'arrogant British' after Sunak visits Ukraine to announce new war aid

Officials say the £2.5bn package will provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security - with Rishi Sunak stressing the UK's continued backing for Kyiv, amid Ukrainian fears interest in their war against Russia is flagging.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed the UK's £2.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine, as Rishi Sunak promised to continue to stand with the country in its fight against Russia.
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Rishi Sunak has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to announce a new package of military aid, security assurances and humanitarian support.

The prime minister has signed a UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - committing the UK to provide intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation.

Rishi Sunak pictured  with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a previous visit to Ukraine
Pic:AP
Image:Mr Sunak (R) with Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) on a previous visit to Ukraine. Pic: AP

The UK will also provide £2.5bn in military aid to Ukraine in 2024-25, an increase of £200m on the previous two years.

About £200m will also be spent on a push to procure and produce thousands of military drones.

Responding to Mr Sunak's visit, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned the UK against any deployments in Ukraine.

Mr Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said: "I hope that our eternal enemies - the arrogant British - understand that deploying an official military contingent to Ukraine would be a declaration of war against our country."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak journeys by train through Ukraine as he travels to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky after announcing a major new package of ..2.5 billion in military aid to the country over the coming year. Picture date: Friday January 12, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Ukraine. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Image:Mr Sunak travelling on a train through Ukraine ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The UK package will be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation, according to Downing Street. Most are expected to be manufactured in the UK.

It will also provide the country with long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

The Ukrainian president has said his forces particularly need air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages.

More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between 29 December and 2 January, according to officials in Kyiv.

The agreement comes as the Ukrainian president presses allies in the West to provide the country with more support to fight back against Vladimir Putin's Russian forces, amid fears interest in the war is flagging as the conflict drags on.
The crisis in the Middle East has also turned global attention away from the conflict, as Israel continues to bombard Gaza - and the US and Britain launch strikes against military targets linked to Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Moments after Russian strike on Ukraine

Mr Sunak stressed the UK's continued backing for Kyiv ahead of his meeting with President Zelenskyy.

He said he was "proud" to sign the new security agreement with Ukraine, adding: "This is the first in a series of new bilateral security assurances promised to Ukraine by 30 countries at last year's (NATO) Vilnius Summit.

"And it says that if Russia ever invades Ukraine again, the UK will come to your aid with swift and sustained security assurance."

Zelenskyy offered his personal thanks to Sunak, adding that the measures would deter further incursions by Russia.

President Zelenskyy thanked the prime minister for his "personal leadership" after the pair signed the security accord in Kyiv and awarded him with the Ukrainian order of freedom honour to recognise his "outstanding personal contribution into strengthening Ukrainian-British interstate co-operation, supporting state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine".

Speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian president said the UK decision to sign the security agreement "lays the groundwork for our further work with our other partners".

Read more:
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Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and £8m will help fortify Ukraine's energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.

Funding and resources will also be provided for English language training in the country.

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Mr Sunak made his first visit to Ukraine in November 2022, weeks after entering Number 10.

The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukraine, with Mr Zelenskyy visiting London early last year in a historic trip.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said in a post on X: "Putin hoped the West would be distracted by events in the Middle East but today we've taken the critical step to increase our military support to Ukraine, to get them more of what they need to win."

Shadow defence secretary John Healey gave Labour's backing for the "vital" military funding, writing on X: "The UK is united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression."

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