The British Prime Minister has promised in his first meeting with Zelensky to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense against Russian attacks
The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, made a surprise visit to kyiv this Saturday to hold his first meeting with the Ukrainian President, Volodimir Zelenski, since his arrival at Downing Street on October 25. Both presidents held a meeting in which the head of the United Kingdom Government ratified the support of his cabinet against the attacks from Russia and promised to provide specific military support worth almost 60 million euros to reinforce air defense ukrainian.
“Since the first days of the war, Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been the most powerful allies,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram along with a video of his meeting with Sunak in kyiv. “It is a great satisfaction to be with you in your country today. The value of the Ukrainian people is an inspiration to the world”, stressed the ‘premier’, to which he added: “We will tell our grandchildren their story, how a proud and sovereign people faced a terrible attack, how they fought, how they sacrificed, how they won”.
Zelensky, a close ally of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson since the beginning of the war, has indicated, for his part, that during the meeting with Sunak “the most important issues both for our countries and for global security” were discussed. “Together we are stronger and we will achieve the desired results” he assured.
Sunak’s office said in a statement that the purpose of the trip to kyiv was “to confirm the UK’s continued support.” We know what it means to fight for freedom. We are with you along the way,” the Tory leader wrote on his Twitter account, after announcing that they will reinforce Ukraine’s air defenses through a major aid package estimated at 50 million pounds (about 60 million euros) to “protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from an intense barrage of Russian attacks.” Specifically, these are 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter drones supplied by Iran, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability.
Bombardments to the electrical network
In the past week, kyiv forces have reported more than 148 Russian missile attacks that have left around 10 million people without power. Likewise, the United Kingdom will also consolidate the training process for the Ukrainian Armed Forces with military doctors and engineers to offer specialized support, according to a Downing Street statement broadcast by the Sky News television channel.
“I am proud of how the UK has supported Ukraine from the start and I am here today to say that this country and our allies will continue to support Ukraine as it fights to end this barbaric war and deliver a just peace,” he said. Sunak. “It is humbling to be in kyiv today and have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much and paying such a high price to uphold the principles of sovereignty and democracy,” he stressed.
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