The British government announced on Wednesday at a NATO summit in Madrid that it would release one billion pounds (1.16 billion euros) in additional aid to Ukraine to respond to the Russian invasion, including air defense systems and drones.
These new funds will bring British military aid to Kiev to 2.3 billion pounds, Downing Street said in a statement, calling this significant increase a
"new phase"
in Western support which should allow the Ukrainian army to launch counter-offensives.
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"As Putin fails to deliver the gains he had planned and hoped for and the futility of this war becomes apparent to all, his attacks on the people of Ukraine are increasingly barbaric
," said the British Prime Minister. Boris Johnson, quoted in the press release.
“British weapons, equipment and formations are transforming Ukraine's defenses against this attack.
And we will continue to stand firmly with the Ukrainian people to ensure that Putin fails in Ukraine
,” he added.
In detail, the additional aid provided includes
"sophisticated anti-aircraft defense systems, unmanned aerial devices, innovative electronic equipment and thousands of vital equipment for Ukrainian soldiers
," the government said.
London sees it as
"a first step"
allowing Ukraine to move from
"valiant defense"
against the Russian invasion to
"offensive operations"
to regain ground.
The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to supply lethal weapons to kyiv, notably with more than 5000 anti-tank missiles and has since considerably reinforced its military support, with armaments but also training for Ukrainian soldiers.