British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the United Kingdom will strengthen the air defense of Ukraine during the first visit to Kiev.
He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the latest developments in the war.
According to a statement, Sunak said it was “deeply humbling” to be in the Ukrainian capital and pledged that the UK would continue to stand by Ukrainians.
The main air defense package of 58 million euros will aim “to protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from a strong barrage of Russian attacks”.
It consists of 125 anti-aircraft weapons and technology to combat deadly drones imported from Iran, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability.
The UK is also strengthening our training offer for the Ukrainian armed forces, sending expert army doctors and engineers to the region to provide specialist support.
Sunak said: “I am proud of the way the UK has stood with Ukraine from the beginning and I am here today to say that the UK and our allies will continue to stand with Ukraine as it fights to end this barbaric war and to save a just peace”.
“While Ukrainian armed forces manage to push back Russian forces on the ground, civilians are being brutally bombarded from the air. It is deeply humbling to be in Kyiv 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.”
The new package follows more than 1,000 new anti-aircraft missiles announced by the defense secretary earlier this month.
In the past week, Ukrainian forces say Russia has carried out more than 148 missile attacks on critical infrastructure, leaving about 10 million people without electricity.
Otherwise, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, several times.
