In Kyiv, Sunak announces an air defense package for Ukraine

The British Prime Minister meets with Zelensky, and reaffirms his country’s support and promises to send 50 million pounds of military equipment, including radars and anti-drone systems. And the new British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, made his first visit to Kyiv, pledging to continue the strong British support for Ukraine provided by its predecessors and announcing a new air defense package to help shoot down Russian drones.

“The UK knows what it’s like to fight for freedom,” Sunak said on Twitter. “We are still with you.”

Sunak said in a statement that his country will provide a new package worth 50 million pounds, including weapons and anti-aircraft technology such as radar to counter drone strikes.

The UK also said it would step up the training it provides to Ukraine’s armed forces. “While the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to push back the Russian forces on the ground, civilians are being brutally bombed from the air,” Sunak said in his statement.

humanitarian support

“Today we are introducing new air defense, including anti-aircraft weapons, radar and anti-drone equipment, and stepping up humanitarian support for the cold and bitter winter ahead,” he said.

Sunak has pledged £12m (R$77m) to the United Nations World Food Program and £4m (R$25.6m) to the International Organization for Migration, which will provide generators, shelters, access to water and clinics. Note from the British government.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video of their meeting in Kyiv on Saturday and praised London’s continued support. “With friends like you by our side, we are confident of our victory. Both of our countries know what it means to defend freedom,” Zelensky wrote in a tweet.

After the meeting, Sunak met with representatives of Ukraine’s emergency services and laid flowers at a memorial honoring the victims of the conflict, according to information from the British government.

Sunak, the former finance minister, took office on the 25th of last month, after a short-term tenure by Liz Truss. She and her predecessor, Boris Johnson, have made public support for Ukraine an important part of their agenda, a promise Sunak has kept.

Russia has increasingly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with long-range attacks since last month, including using what Kyiv calls Iranian-made drones, against which Ukraine has sought air defense equipment from the West.

md (EFE, Reuters)