Sunak Visits Ukraine, Boosts Military Aid to £2.5 Bln

UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv today, Friday, for a visit during which he will affirm an increase in British military support for Ukraine to £2.5 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.

The British newspaper Financial Times reported that Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sign a new bilateral agreement on security cooperation, marking the first step in enhancing a partnership that has remained steadfast for over a century between the two nations.

The newspaper clarified that Britain's commitment will represent an increase of £200 million over the previous two years. At least £200 million of this package will be allocated to thousands of reconnaissance missions, long-range strikes, and naval expeditions.

Sunak expressed a clear message while in Ukraine, emphasizing that Britain will not waver and will stand with Ukraine during its darkest hours and in the times ahead.

The Independent reported that Sunak's sudden visit came just hours after his authorization to launch attacks against the Houthi rebels in Yemen in a joint military operation with the United States in the Red Sea.

Sunak informed his government about the attacks on Thursday evening, and in an unusual move, the government notified opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Defense Secretary John Healey.

However, a controversy erupted due to Sunak's failure to seek parliamentary approval for the strikes in Yemen, prompting some MPs from the Liberal Democrats, Labour, and the Scottish National Party to call for a recall of Parliament.

Sunak made his first visit to Ukraine in November 2022, just a few weeks after entering Downing Street. Britain has been one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine, and Zelensky paid a historic visit to London early last year.