UK pledges £4.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine, unveils toughest sanctions on Russia

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced this during a virtual address to the Support Ukraine Summit, which is being held today, February 24, in Kyiv.

At this important moment, as negotiations begin, he stressed the need for collective efforts to shape the final outcome. He stated that "Russia does not hold all the cards in this war," as Ukraine had the courage to defend its country. He also pointed out that Russia’s economy was in serious trouble and that it had lost both territories and troops.

Starmer further noted that Ukraine needed increased military support, which the UK was actively contributing to. He mentioned that the UK was providing £4.5 billion in military aid, the highest amount to date, and emphasized the country's efforts in training Ukrainian troops.

In addition, Starmer emphasized the importance of increasing economic pressure on Russia. He stated that pressure needed to be intensified to ensure that Putin was not only willing to negotiate but also prepared to make concessions. To achieve this, he announced that the UK was introducing its largest package of sanctions since the beginning of the war, targeting companies in both Russia and China that were involved in military production.

He added that he would discuss this issue during a meeting with the G7 countries, expressing his belief that oil prices should be reduced.

The British Prime Minister also noted that there was now an opportunity to lay the foundations for a lasting peace. However, he stressed that Ukraine must be present at the negotiating table for such a peace to be achieved.

Starmer further stated that sovereignty for Ukraine needed to be reinforced with strong guarantees. He emphasized that Britain was prepared to support this effort with its troops in Ukraine, alongside European allies and under the right conditions. He underlined the importance of deterring Russia from launching another invasion in the coming years and assured that the UK would do everything possible to secure the best outcome for Ukraine and its partners.