Rishi arrives in Ukraine to meet Zelensky and announce boost in military support to £2.5bn

RISHI Sunak has arrived in Ukraine today for a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky after unveiling a multi-billion military aid package for the war-torn country.  

Britain will provide £2.5 billion to Ukraine over the coming year, an increase of £200m from the previous two years.

The funding will cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

During the one-day visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister will also sign a security pact, promising the UK will provide “swift and sustained” support to Ukraine if Russia attempts another invasion.

The President had been urging allies in the West to provide the country with more support to fight back against Russian forces, amid fears  interest in the war is flagging among allies as the war drags on.

The visit comes after the UK and US launched joint airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen overnight after militants attacked ships in the Red Sea.

Speaking to broadcasters during the one-day trip, the PM said the funding represents the "seriousness" of the situation and "our determination to stand with Ukraine.

He added: "That's why I'm here on my first foreign visit of this year, the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine this year.

"I want to send a strong signal of support to the Ukrainian people but also a strong signal of support that Vladimir Putin needs to recognise we are not going anywhere. I'm here with one clear message: the United Kingdom stands with Ukraine."

Of the £.25 billion, at least £200 million is earmarked to roll out a fleet of military drones, including the high-tech surveillance kind, long-range strikers, and naval drones.

The new cutting-edge tech will arm Ukraine with top-notch, combat-proven tools to protect its people and hit back hard at Russian forces, both on land and at sea.

Before the meeting with the Ukrainian President, Mr Sunak met with emergency responders dealing with the consequences of Russian airstrikes and announced an additional £18 million in humanitarian aid.

This is in addition to the nearly £340 million already provided.

The UK will also support English language education in Ukraine, reflecting the deepening ties between the two countries.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told Times Radio today's announcement shows the UK is capable of leading in "the security response in the Middle East, leading in the support of the Ukrainians".

He added: "We do so in a way that the rest of the world takes notice of and follows.

"The announcement of £2.5 billion of UK cash to support Ukraine during the next financial year is more than we've given in previous years, which was already the most than any European donor."

Last night, Mr Sunak and US President Joe Biden both confirmed the military offensive against Houthi rebels hit more than a dozen sites used by them just before midnight on Thursday.

Western forces smashed military targets shortly after Mr Sunak gave the go-ahead at an Emergency Cabinet meeting.

It's the first time strikes have been launched against Houthis since they started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea in mid-November last year.

Blasts hit Yemen's capital Sanaa, as well as Hodieda, the Houthi Red Sea port stronghold, Saada, and Dhamar, according to a Houthi official.

The US and UK said attacks were intended to disrupt and degrade the militants' threat to global trade following weeks of drone and missile attacks on cargo ships in the region.

Warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets were used during the strikes, the US said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence said four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker used Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two Houthi facilities.