Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal held a meeting in Kyiv with UK Defense Secretary John Healey.
“I am sincerely grateful for the friendship and cooperation between our countries. The United Kingdom is a key partner and a true leader of Ukraine’s allied coalition. Among Ukraine’s top priorities are ammunition, air defense systems, and long-range weaponry. I emphasized the importance of long-term support for Ukraine to achieve lasting peace and ensure that Russia cannot resume its aggression,” Shmyhal said.
During the meeting, the defense chiefs discussed security guarantee mechanisms, including the role of the “Coalition of the Willing.”
Ukraine expects strong contributions from partner countries to strengthen its defense capabilities, Shmyhal noted.
“In continuation of the agreements between the President of Ukraine and the UK Prime Minister, we coordinated our next steps to enhance the defense capabilities of both nations. We are preparing important decisions in this regard,” the Ukrainian defense minister stressed.
Lieutenant General Andriy Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, presented the British side with up-to-date data on the battlefield situation and Russia’s plans. The delegations discussed in detail the enemy’s strategy to build up its military potential and possible responses from Ukraine and its allies.
Shmyhal thanked the UK government and people for their steadfast support and expressed his gratitude to John Healey for his personal leadership in supporting Ukraine. For his significant contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, Shmyhal awarded the British defense secretary the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s “Cross of Honor.”
