Foreign Secretary James Cleverly pledges continuing support for Ukraine in Kyiv trip
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday as Britain stepped up its support for Ukraine including a fleet of 24 ambulances.
He stressed that Britain would continue to give military, economic and diplomatic backing to Ukraine in the face of Vladimir Putinâs invasion.
President @ZelenskyyUa, the UK is supporting you with action - not just words.
I made you that promise today. The UK intends to keep it. pic.twitter.com/n8C6kGLXsJâ James CleverlyđŹđ§ (@JamesCleverly) November 25, 2022
Mr Cleverly tweeted: âPresident @ZelenskyyUa, the UK is supporting you with action - not just words.
âI made you that promise today. The UK intends to keep it.â
Earlier, Mr Cleverly met his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.
The Foreign Secretaryâs visit came days after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travelled to Kyiv.
Mr Cleverly announced the practical support as Ukraineâs power grid and other critical infrastructure has been pounded by Russian strikes, causing blackouts and leaving millions without heat, power or water as temperatures plummet.
Words are not enough.
Words won't keep the lights on this winter. Words won't defend against Russian missiles.
The UK isn't just talking about Ukraine, we're providing concrete support for the defence of Ukraine.
Thank you @DmytroKuleba for welcoming me to Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/3LdgnXJKwoâ James CleverlyđŹđ§ (@JamesCleverly) November 25, 2022
The UK will send 35 more emergency vehicles, including 24 ambulances and six armoured vehicles, to the country.
The Foreign Secretary also announced a further ÂŁ3 million for the rebuilding of local infrastructure including schools and shelters, as well as additional funding to support survivors of sexual assault.
Mr Cleverly said: âAs winter sets in, Russia is continuing to try and break Ukrainian resolve through its brutal attacks on civilians, hospitals and energy infrastructure. Russia will fail.
âThe UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. I have today announced a package of hands-on support for our Ukrainian friends in their fight, from ambulances to crucial support for survivors of the sexual violence carried out by the Russian military.
âIâve seen here first-hand how the UKâs efforts are helping brave citizens to resist and rebuild. Our support will continue for as long as it takes for this remarkable country to recover.â
Thank you, @RishiSunak. With friends like you by our side, we are confident in our victory. Both of our nations know what it means to stand up for freedom đșđŠđŹđ§ https://t.co/9oFfswxp3K
â ĐĐŸĐ»ĐŸĐŽĐžĐŒĐžŃ ĐĐ”Đ»Đ”ĐœŃŃĐșĐžĐč (@ZelenskyyUa) November 19, 2022
The UK is also committing ÂŁ5 million to a Ukraine-led initiative, delivered through the UN World Food Programme, to ship grain to countries most at risk of famine, including Yemen and Sudan.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said: âI am pleased the UK government can support President Zelenskyâs work to help Ukraineâs grain reach some of the poorest and most vulnerable nations in the world.
âGlobal food security is in all our interests â and helping Ukraineâs farmers and agricultural sector to continue producing and exporting food in these most difficult of circumstances is vital for that security.â
Mr Sunakâs visit to Kyiv last Saturday was accompanied by the announcement of a ÂŁ50 million package of defence aid comprising 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to help Ukraine counter Iranian-supplied drones, including radars and anti-drone equipment.
The Prime Minister said it was âdeeply humblingâ to be in the Ukrainian capital and that he was âproudâ of how the UK had backed the country since Moscowâs invasion began.
His vocal support for Kyiv sees him follow in the footsteps of his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.