This is Sunak’s first visit to the region since he became prime minister and follows the footsteps of his predecessor Boris Johnson, who developed a personal friendship with its leader.
The £50 million package includes 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability. It follows more than 1,000 new anti-air missiles announced by the Defence Secretary earlier in November.
Earlier, Sunak used the G20 Summit in Bali to urge other world leaders to take a harder line against Russian aggression.
Sunak said, "Britain knows what it means to fight for freedom."We are with you all the way", he told President Zelensky in a tweet.
His pledge of continued support follows in the footsteps of both Johnson and Truss, when she was in Downing Street.
A Number-10 spokesperson said, "The Prime Minister is in Ukraine today for his first visit to Kyiv to meet President Zelensky and confirm continued UK support."
By the end of his time in office Johnson was much mocked amid claims he would use official phonecalls with the Ukranian leader to attempt to shore up his own popularity at home.
Sunak had condemned Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. He said the UK would continue to support Ukrainians in defending themselves against Russian action, and to help ensure Kyiv is in a position of strength when they decide the time is right for peace talks.
He told reporters travelling with him to Bali that the Russin leader Vladimir Putin had skipped the summit of world leaders.
"Russia is becoming a pariah state and he’s not there to take responsibility for what he’s doing," he said. "But I’m going to use the opportunity to put on the record my condemnation of what they’re doing.”
No comments:
Post a Comment