MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sunak pledges further help to Ukraine

“We are here for the long term,” Sunak told Zelensky

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Monday promised additional military help in the form of missiles and drones to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in London. Zelensy is on a support-gathering tour of Europe which included previous stops in Italy, Germany, and France.

During a meeting that lasted over two hours, Sunak pledged to supply Ukraine with “hundreds” of air defense missiles and long-range attack drones, it was reported. He was also asked for more fighter jets. “The UK is steadfast in its support for Ukraine,” to ensure Ukraine gets a just and lasting peace.

Sunak's assistance includes immediate military support of more than £4.6 billion (US$ 5.7 billion) to Ukraine to ensure Ukraine's ability to deter aggression, including Challenger 2 tanks, Storm Shadow missiles, and search-and-rescue helicopters, among other items.

In addition to weapons, the UK also pledged at least 200,000 non-lethal items such as body armor and medical equipment and to work on a program that aims to train 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers and pilots, which places the UK as the second largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine, second only to the United States.

Asked during a post-meeting press conference about Russia's “extremely negative” view of British support for Ukraine, Sunak replied that “it's interesting to hear from the Kremlin,” adding that Russia carried out an “illegal and unprovoked attack” on the Ukrainian people, committing “horrific war crimes.”

“As we said from the outset, the UK will stand firm in support of Ukraine and its people,” Sunak insisted. “We are here for the long term,” he went on. Nevertheless, the UK has “no plans” to supply fighter jets to Ukraine, a Downing Street spokesperson said.