The UK will provide £300 million ($405 million) to support a joint initiative with Sweden aimed at delivering 15 modern aircraft to Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
During a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Starmer presented the initiative as part of continued efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses amid ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukrinform reported Thursday.
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“I am pleased to inform you that today we are going further, because I can announce that the UK is providing £300 million in support to work with Sweden to provide 15 new modern aircraft to help protect Ukraine’s sky,” Starmer said.
Earlier on Thursday, Stockholmn2 approved a $145 million contribution to the World Bank’s new IDA Crisis Facility 2.0 for Ukraine with funding expected to unlock roughly three times that amount in new loans to support Ukraine’s recovery, economic resilience, and reform efforts.
Starmer argued that growing military, economic pressure, and continued aid, are having major impacts on Moscow and should be intensified. He attributed his claim to changing attitudes within Russia.
According to Starmer, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been forced to acknowledge that the invasion of Ukraine is creating problems at home. Therefore, such developments make it the right moment for Ukraine’s allies to increase support and maintain pressure on the Kremlin.
Sweden Commits $145M to New World Bank Facility Supporting Ukraine
Final visit to Kyiv
The announcement came during Starmer’s visit to Kyiv on Thursday, which he described as taking place during his final week in office.
Starmer announced his resignation on June 22 after losing the confidence of Labour lawmakers following several domestic policy U-turns that impacted his popularity.
Nevertheless, he is held in high regard by many foreign leaders due to his work on continued support for Ukraine and his commitment to NATO.
“Our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure,” Starmer said in comments released by his office.
During the visit, Zelensky awarded the British prime minister the Order of Freedom, one of Ukraine’s highest state honors.
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