UK to spend record amount on military funding for Ukraine as Sunak pledges solidarity

The United Kingdom will provide a record amount of military aid to Ukraine in 2024, amounting to £2.5bn.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said this would be the largest annual commitment made by the UK since Russia's invasion in 2022.

He also made an unexpected visit to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, declaring: "We will stand with Ukraine in their darkest hours and in the better times to come."

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Mr Sunak said: "For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion.

"They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

"I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter."

The announcement came following calls from Ukraine's President for Western allies to provide more support for the fight against Russia.

Concerns had been raised that support for the war was falling as the conflict approaches the end of its second year.

The conflict between Hamas and Israel has also turned attention away from the war in Ukraine.

But Mr Zelensky said Ukraine needs air defence systems in particular to prevent Russian aerial attacks, which have increased in recent weeks.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told Good Morning Britain: "£2.5bn is a lot of money, it’s on the back of £2.3bn last year and the year before.

"But one always has to consider the price of not continuing to support Ukraine.

"If Russia is successful in Ukraine, it will destabilise the Euro-Atlantic for decades and ultimately cost the UK much more.

"Exactly the same argument could be made around the necessity of our presence in the southern Red Sea."

Shadow defence secretary John Healey gave Labour's backing for the announcement after MPs had called on the Government to make clear its stance on how much support would be given to Ukraine.

Mr Healey said: "The UK is united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.

"Labour fully backs this new military funding for Ukraine – and has been pushing ministers since the autumn to confirm 2024 military funding."