16 Jan 2025 13:06

British PM arrives in Kiev to announce new assistance package for Ukraine

LONDON. Jan 16 (Interfax) - British Prime Minister Kier Starmer arrived in Kiev on Thursday to announce a new military assistance package for Ukraine.

"The UK and Ukraine will sign a historic partnership, as the prime minister travels to the country to meet President [Vladimir] Zelensky [...] To mark the signing of the partnership today, the prime minister is expected to announce new UK support for Ukraine from lethal aid to economic resilience," the British government said in a statement.

In particular, Starmer will announce the allocation of 40 million pounds "for a new economic recovery program to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds worth of private lending to bolster the growth and economic resilience of small and medium businesses in Ukraine," the statement said.

Starmer and Zelensky will sign a centenary partnership agreement. "The unbreakable bonds between the UK and Ukraine will be formalized through the landmark new 100 Year Partnership between the two countries," it said.

The agreement will be "broadening and deepening the relationship across defense and non-military areas and enabling closer community links" and "will bolster military collaboration on maritime security through a new framework to strengthen Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Azov Sea security," it said.

"It also cements the UK as a preferred partner for Ukraine's energy sector, critical minerals strategy and green steel production," it said.

The agreement will soon be submitted for the parliament's consideration, it said.

As reported in December 2024, the UK will provide an additional military assistance package totaling 225 million pounds to Ukraine.