RIshi in Kyiv

Today the Prime Minister made his first visit to meet with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, announcing a major new package of air defence to help protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from Russia’s brutal bombardment.

  • While Ukraine’s armed forces are succeeding in pushing back Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion forces on the ground, Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure are being intensely bombarded by Russian air strikes.
  • So Britain has announced a £50 million package of defence aid, including 125 anti-aircraft guns, and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones, with dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare equipment, alongside £12 million for the World Food Programme and £4 million for the International Organisation for Migration, providing generators, shelter, water repairs and mobile health clinics.
  • The UK and our allies will continue to stand with Ukraine, as it fights to end this barbarous war and deliver a just peace.



In Kyiv, the Prime Minister laid flowers at a memorial for the war dead and lit a candle at a memorial for victims of the Holodomor famine, before meeting first responders at a fire station.

The team of emergency responders described their harrowing work rescuing survivors from the rubble and fighting fires in the aftermath of Russian airstrikes and mortar attacks. He also saw captured Iranian-made drones which have been used to target and bomb civilians in recent months.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

"I am proud of how the UK stood with Ukraine from the very beginning. And I am here today to say the UK and our allies will continue to stand with Ukraine, as it fights to end this barbarous war and deliver a just peace.

While Ukraine’s armed forces succeed in pushing back Russian forces on the ground, civilians are being brutally bombarded from the air. We are today providing new air defence, including anti-aircraft guns, radar and anti-drone equipment, and stepping up humanitarian support for the cold, hard winter ahead.

It is deeply humbling to be in Kyiv today and to have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much, and paying so high a price, to defend the principles of sovereignty and democracy."

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