The Telegraph reports. 

James Heappey, former Armed Forces minister, warned that a Ukraine defeat by Russia would cost the West trillions in a new Cold War. He said that “more aid packages like the ones unveiled this week will be needed” for Ukraine to win the battle for “security across the whole European-Atlantic region”. Heappey added: “A stalemate or, heaven forbid, a Ukrainian defeat promises a new cold war that will last for decades and cost trillions of dollars more.”

The additional £500 million funding announced by Mr. Sunak brings the UK’s spending on military aid in Ukraine to £3 billion this financial year, including air defense missiles to counter Russia’s attacks on power stations. The Prime Minister has also pledged to donate hundreds of armored vehicles, 60 boats, and four million rounds of small-arms ammunition.

Mr Heappey said the latest aid package would not “immediately tip the balance, allowing the Ukrainians to go on to a final offensive that brings a quick and complete victory.”

“My expectation is that with this huge inflow of Western support, we’ll see the frontlines stabilise and, while the fighting will be fierce, I don’t expect to see significant amounts of territory traded this year,” he added.

He emphasized the need for Ukrainian brigades to undergo training in complex maneuvers that synchronize their movements with artillery fire, air support, and other resources to counter Russian forces effectively and expressed doubt that Ukrainian defenders would be adequately prepared to defeat the Russians until 2025 or possibly even 2026.