NEW DELHI: The United Kingdom (UK) would send 120 armoured vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems to Ukraine following the in-person meeting between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday.
This was the first physical meeting between Prime Minister Boris Johnson or a G7 leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia invaded parts of Ukraine.
Prior to this announcement, the UK supplied £100 million worth of high-grade military equipment Ranging from Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, 800 anti-tank missiles, and high-tech loitering munitions for precision strikes to “defend Russia’s illegal assault.”
Showing strong commitments towards the besieged Ukraine, London ensured a forceful economic flow to Kyiv economic support, guaranteeing an additional $500m [£385m] in World Bank lending to Ukraine, taking our total loan guarantee to up to $1 billion.
The UK said earlier it extended £394 million in grant aid which will most likely be utilised for mitigating humanitarian services for Ukrainians.
“I made clear today that the United Kingdom stands unwaveringly with them in this ongoing fight, and we are in it for the long run. We are stepping up our own military and economic support and convening a global alliance to bring this tragedy to an end, and ensure Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation,” PM Johnson stated in a media release
From the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, the UK Prime Minister tweeted: “Today I met my friend President @Zelenskyy in Kyiv as a show of our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine. We’re setting out a new package of financial & military aid which is a testament of our commitment to his country’s struggle against Russia’s barbaric campaign,”
“The Ukrainians have the courage of a lion. President Zelenskyy has given the roar of that lion. The UK stands unwaveringly with the people of Ukraine. Slava Ukraine,” tasting the catastrophe in Ukraine PM Johnson stated in a pinned tweet.
The Ukrainians have the courage of a lion.
President @ZelenskyyUa has given the roar of that lion.
The UK stands unwaveringly with the people of Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/u6vGYqmK4V
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 9, 2022
The UK PM’s visit to the epicenter of global attention will have significant implications. The UK and its European Cousins will attempt to impose strict and stiff sanctions against Russia, despite the fact that in trade, UK’s dependency on Ukraine is very low. The UK imported £830 million of goods from Ukraine, which accounted for just 0.2% of all total goods imports.
The UK and its European fraternity will also reduce their hydrocarbon dependency. Following the UK Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine, world leaders (at least from the EU fraternity or even G7) may taste the results of the catastrophe. The UK PM will continue to seek global attention for the attack on Kramatorsk station, which Russia has already denied. Strategically, Ukraine, which claims to have the largest landmass in Europe, has far better weight than others.
Besides, ties with Ukraine have an economic perspective as well. In a telephonic conversation a few days ago, PM Boris Johnson urged India, a defence importer of Russian hardware to strengthen defence partnership with the UK. With the sojourn amid war, the UK Prime Minister may urge other Commonwealth nations to divorce Russia from every kind of transaction.