Rachel Reeves expressed her commitment to providing enhanced and expedited assistance for Ukraine’s recovery during her visit to Kyiv. The Chancellor engaged with families at a UK-supported facility for the rehabilitation of children with disabilities and held discussions with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, in the company of British and Ukrainian defense firms.
While in the capital, Reeves paid tribute to the victims of Russia’s unlawful full-scale invasion at the St Michael’s memorial wall and witnessed the extensive damage inflicted on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a revered European site, during a recent significant Russian assault.
Affirming the unwavering support of the UK for Ukraine, the Chancellor emphasized the tangible benefits of UK investments in the region. She highlighted the multifaceted partnership that not only aids Ukraine in military aspects but also provides crucial financial backing for rebuilding efforts, assisting vulnerable populations, and safeguarding essential infrastructure.
Her visit to Kyiv followed discussions at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, where the UK announced a substantial contribution of over £290 million towards enhancing Ukraine’s resilience and energy security through bilateral assistance and a UKEF-backed agreement, in addition to the recent $1 billion fiscal support from the UK.
In total, the UK has pledged up to £25 billion to support Ukraine, including £16 billion for military aid, up to £5.6 billion for non-military assistance, and £3.5 billion in UK export finance. This funding plays a pivotal role in providing essential aid to Ukraine and its citizens as they confront aggressive Russian incursions.
UK support has enabled thousands of households and businesses to maintain essential services during the winter season and has fortified a significant portion of Ukraine’s national energy infrastructure against further attacks. Furthermore, the UK continues to exert pressure on the Kremlin by imposing sanctions on more than 3,400 Russia-linked entities while facilitating Ukraine’s long-term prosperity.
Recent developments saw Ukraine intensifying its offensive against Russian positions in the illegally annexed Crimea region, collaborating with Kyiv’s special forces and Crimea resistance fighters to disable a crucial logistics bridge and neutralize over 60 Russian military targets.
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