Ukraine invited the United Kingdom to start up projects in the fields of infrastructure and energy. Moreover, they talked about trade deregulation and military help. This was said by President Volodymyr Zelensky during the press conference following talks with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian President noted that the Agreement on Political Cooperation, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership signed the year before last is working successfully, which is proved by a 60% increase in bilateral trade between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
We strive to expand partnership in all areas. We agreed to start negotiations on further trade liberalization. In addition to funds for the Ukrainian Navy, the United Kingdom is allocating almost 2 billion pounds for the implementation of joint specific and mutually beneficial projects with Ukraine in other areas.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
In particular, according to the president, the United Kingdom was invited to join projects in the fields of infrastructure and energy. 30 years ago Ukraine and Great Britain established diplomatic relations, which have always been full of friendship, respect and content.
For his part, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announced the allocation of an additional 88 million pounds of funding to support the stability and energy independence of Ukraine.
"This funding is to support the efforts of the President and the authorities to build a prosperous Ukrainian society free from malicious influence," said Boris Johnson.
We appreciate the assistance and practical help from the UK on this path. This is 1.7 billion pounds for the Ukrainian Navy, the construction of modern Ukrainian naval bases, a package of security assistance and weapons, when Her Majesty's Air Force transport planes delivered thousands of modern anti-tank missiles to Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
According to Zelensky, an agreement was reached with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on joint actions to ensure peace, security and stability in the Black Sea region, as well as to intensify cooperation in the field of cyber defense and cyber security.
For his part, Boris Johnson said that the escalation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine would be a political, humanitarian and military catastrophe for Russia and the world. Therefore, he is convinced that the Russian Federation needs to take a step back and choose the path of diplomacy.
Alongside other countries, we are also preparing a package of sanctions and other measures to be enacted the moment the first Russian toecap crosses further into Ukrainian territory. We have done all this as a demonstration that we will always stand up for freedom, democracy and Ukrainian sovereignty in the face of aggression.
Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stressed that the United Kingdom has in recent years provided and continues to provide assistance to Ukraine to strengthen its security and defense.
