Increased military aid and new air defense systems: UK’s support for Ukraine in 2023

UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced more support for Ukraine in his first major foreign policy address at Lord Mayor’s Banquet:

"We will support Ukraine as long as it is necessary. Next year, we will maintain or even increase our military aid. We will provide new support to air defense to protect the Ukrainian people and critical infrastructure. By protecting Ukraine, we are protecting ourselves," Sunak said.

He called the actions of Russia and China the main challenges for Britain, and helping Ukraine is one way to counter them.

"First, by supporting Ukraine, we are also strengthening our European relationship to address challenges such as security and illegal migration. Second, we are looking at China in a more long-term perspective, strengthening our resilience and protecting our economic security," said the British prime minister.

Sunak emphasized the terrorist methods used by Russia in the war against Ukraine.

"In Kyiv, I just saw how Russia’s focus is shifting from bruising encounters on the battlefield to brutalising the civilian population. It was written in the scarred buildings and the piles of rubble lining the streets, in the stories of the first responders I met from liberated Kherson<

from the torture chambers to the booby traps left in children’s toys. As the world comes together to watch the World Cup I saw how an explosive device had been hidden inside a child’s football – seeking to make it a weapon of war," said the British Prime Minister.

Britain said in September that it was Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the United States, having provided 2.3 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) in aid this year.