United Kingdom to Allocate £3 Billion in Military Aid to Ukraine Annually
On May 2nd, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron made an unannounced visit to Ukraine. In Kyiv, he announced that the United Kingdom would allocate £3 billion (approximately 3.5 billion euros) in annual military aid to Ukraine for as long as necessary. Reuters reported this development.
"We will be giving three billion pounds sterling each year, as much as is needed. We've emptied the cupboards in terms of equipment provision. Some of that equipment is actually arriving in Ukraine today while I'm here," Cameron stated.
The British official also noted that Ukraine has the right to freely use British weapons to strike targets in Russian territory.
"Ukraine has that right. Russia is striking Ukrainian territory, and it's entirely understandable that Ukraine feels the need to defend itself," Cameron emphasized.
The British Foreign Secretary announced that, in June, he will bring together international partners to raise additional contributions to the International Fund for Ukraine to meet its urgent defence needs. As of now, the fund created in 2022 has gathered around a billion dollars through contributions from the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Iceland, Australia, and New Zealand.
During his visit to Ukraine, the British Foreign Secretary held talks with Ukrainian state leaders, including a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
President Zelensky briefed David Cameron on the situation at the frontlines and emphasized the importance of expedited delivery of British weaponry, as outlined in the aid package allocated last week. This primarily includes armoured vehicles, ammunition, and missiles of various types. Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude for the half-billion-pound sterling aid package.
"Providing this package, along with the crucial U.S. decision on aid, is of great significance to us at this pivotal moment," Zelenskyy remarked.
The meeting also focused on preparations for upcoming international events: the G7 summit in Italy, the Inaugural Summit for Peace in Switzerland, the NATO summit in Washington, and the fourth European Political Community Summit in the UK.