Rishi Sunak visited Ukraine for the first time since becoming prime minister, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital Kyiv.
The two world leaders discussed Ukraine’s military progress and reconstruction plan, and the British Prime Minister pledged a £50 million package to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
The package includes 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to combat drones supplied by Iran, including dozens of radars to enhance electronic warfare capabilities against drones.
The UK will also increase training for the Ukrainian armed forces, sending military medical experts and engineers to the region to provide specialist support.
During his visit, Mr. Sunak also laid flowers at a memorial to those who died in the war, lit candles at a memorial to victims of the Holodomor famine and met with Ukraine first responders including even emergency personnel at a fire station.
A spokesman for Number 10 confirmed the prime minister’s trip, saying: “The Prime minister is in Ukraine today on her first visit to Kiev to meet with President Zelenskyy and confirm the UK’s continued support.”
Mr. Sunak wrote on Twitter: “England knows what it means to fight for freedom. We stand by you.”
President Zelenskyy shared a short video on its official Telegram social media feed showing the UK Prime Minister stepping out of his car and accompanying him on the red carpet into the Mariinskyia Palace.
The two leaders appeared to make comments about the cold weather as they shook hands, with small snowflakes falling around.
Wearing a flag with the British and Ukrainian flags side by side, Mr Sunak was shown to have a private meeting with Mr Zelenskyy, as well as a larger roundtable meeting.
Photo: Flickr/No. 10
A message from the Ukrainian leader accompanying the video said: “Since the first days of the war, Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been the strongest allies.
“In today’s meeting, we discussed the most important issues for both national and global security.
“Together we are stronger and we will achieve the desired results.”
Mr. Zelenskyy also thanked Mr. Sunak on Twitter, writing: “With friends like you by our side, we are confident in our victory. We both know what it means to fight. fight for freedom.”
Photo: Flickr/No. 10
After his visit Mr. Sunak said it was “extremely humbling” to be in Kyiv, adding: “I’m proud of how the UK has stood with Ukraine from the start. And I’m here today to said that the UK and our allies will continue to stand with Ukraine, as it fights to end this barbaric war and bring about a just peace.
“While Ukraine’s armed forces are successful in repelling Russian forces on the ground, civilians are being brutally bombed from the air. Today we are delivering new air defense systems, including including anti-aircraft guns, radar and anti-drone equipment, and increased humanitarian assistance for the cold, harsh winter ahead.
“It is extremely humbling to be in Kiev today and to have the opportunity to meet people who are doing so much and paying such a heavy price.”
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Mr Sunak followed in the footsteps of former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, pledging the UK’s continued support for Ukraine amid Russia’s aggression.
The prime minister also used his appearance at the G20 this week to join allies and other Western leaders in condemning Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
The visit came after a missile hit a Polish village near the Ukrainian border, killing two people, and initially raised fears that Russia had struck a NATO member state.
Tensions have since eased over the possibility that Ukrainian defense forces were responsible for the attack.
Last week, Ukrainian forces said Russia had delivered more than 148 missile attacks on critical infrastructure, leaving about 10 million people without electricity.
