Days after the U.S. announced new sanctions on Russia – along with the U.K. and around 30 other allies – U.K. Prime Minister traveled to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“The Prime Minister is in Kyiv today,” said a Saturday press release from Johnson’s office. He is in Ukraine to demonstrate the UK’s steadfast solidarity with Ukraine and hold in-depth discussions with [President Zelensky] on military and economic assistance.”
“It is a privilege to be able to travel to Ukraine and meet President Zelensky in person in Kyiv today,” Johnson said. “Ukraine has defied the odds and pushed back Russian forces from the gates of Kyiv, achieving the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century.”
“It was more than a fruitful meeting,” said Zelensky in a Facebook post. “Thank you for the action sanctioned measures, for strengthening the defense capacity of Ukraine.”
According to the U.K. prime minister’s office, new military assistance of 120 armored vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems will be sent to Ukraine as the country continues to battle a Russian Federation invasion that began in late February. On Friday, the U.K. announced it would send around $130 million worth of high-grade military equipment including more Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, 800 anti-tank missiles and high-tech loitering munitions for precision strikes.
Last month, the U.S. announced it would send $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total amount of U.S. aid provided to the country since President Joe Biden took office to $2 billion.
This week, Biden announced that the Slovakian government provided an S-300 air defense system to Ukraine, “something President Zelensky has personally raised,” with the U.S. president in conversations.
“To enable this transfer and ensure the continued security of Slovakia, the United States will reposition a U.S. Patriot missile system to Slovakia,” said Biden.
According to Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby, “the S-300 air defense system that Slovakia is supplying to Ukraine and a Patriot missile system the U.S. is supplying are part and parcel of the larger effort by DOD and allies to bolster NATO's eastern flank and improve deterrence, as well as bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.”
In addition to weapons, Johnson confirmed $500 million in World Bank lending to Ukraine, “taking our total loan guarantee to up to $1 billion,” and ensuring that humanitarian services can continue in Ukraine.
Johnson said during his trip that Zelensky’s “resolute leadership and the invincible heroism and courage of the Ukrainian people that Putin’s monstrous aims are being thwarted,” referring, of course, to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who led his country into war with Ukraine.
“I think that this can’t end until Putin is pulled from the game,” said geopolitical strategist George Friedman’s opinion piece published Saturday in MarketWatch.
According to a Friday report in Time, more Russian nationals have started fighting alongside Ukrainians. This week, Russia was suspended from the United Nations Human Rights Council and world leaders reacted with horror Friday after reports rolled in of a Russian train station attack – one of several attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets – that claimed at least 50 lives.
“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,” said Johnson. “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.”
Related
Related
