On January 12, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, will announce the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv. He will also sign a Security Cooperation Agreement with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This information is reported on the website of the British government.
Ahead of the meeting, the British Prime Minister confirmed that the United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with £2.5 billion in military assistance in the 2024-25 period. At least £200 million of this amount will be allocated for the purchase and production of military drones for Ukraine, including reconnaissance, strike, and long-range maritime drones. It is expected that the majority of the drones will be manufactured in the United Kingdom, and the UK Ministry of Defence will collaborate with international partners to increase the number of drones provided for Ukraine's defense.
This funding will also help leverage British military expertise and defense production to provide long-range missile systems, air defense systems, artillery ammunition, and maritime security.
"The UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation formalises a range of support the UK has been and will continue to provide for Ukraine’s security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation," the statement said.
The agreement also commits the United Kingdom to consult with Ukraine if it faces aggression from Russia again and to provide "swift and robust" assistance for defense.
"I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come. The UK is already one of Ukraine’s closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security," noted Sunak.
