Key NATO ally shocks with ‘most important’ commitment to Ukraine: ‘They need our support’

Ukraine continues to benefit from an international windfall following the passage of a major US aid package, as the UK follows suit by pledging its largest ever military aid package.

“Defending Ukraine against Russia’s brutal ambitions is vital for our security and for all of Europe,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said during a visit to Poland this week. “If Putin is allowed to succeed in this war of aggression, he will not stop at the Polish border.”

Sunak’s pledge of £500 million ($620 million) to Ukraine adds to the £2.5 billion ($3.1 billion) already allocated for this financial year, the BBC. The funds will primarily be used to produce UK-made drones and develop “national defense supply chains”.

The British Ministry of Defense described the package as “the largest package of equipment ever delivered by the United Kingdom” which puts the country “on a war footing.” Sunak has promised to spend an extra £75 billion ($93 billion) on defense spending over the next six years.

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The United Kingdom will also provide 400 vehicles, more than 1,600 missiles, 4 million munitions and 60 boats to strengthen the country’s defense. It will also deploy a Royal Air Force squadron to monitor the Polish skies on behalf of NATO next year.

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“The Ukrainian armed forces continue to fight bravely, but they need our support – and they need it now,” Sunak told a news conference. “(This) package will help ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to take the fight to Russia.”

“The UK will always play its role at the forefront of European security, defending our national interests and alongside our NATO allies,” Sunak added, according to The Guardian.

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After his meeting with Polish President Donald Tusk, Sunak traveled to Berlin, where he met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday.

The US Senate on Tuesday advanced a $95 billion foreign aid package that includes military aid to Ukraine and Israel. The House passed the bill Saturday, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called for the bill to pass.

Ukraine will receive $60 billion of the package, providing the beleaguered nation with a much-needed boost to strengthen its defense against Russian invasion.

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President Biden said Wednesday that the package provides “vital support to America’s partner” and is “an investment in the security of all of us.”

“When our allies are stronger, we are all stronger,” Biden said at a news conference before signing the bill. He stressed that “we must act quickly” to help Ukraine continue its defense against the Russian invasion, which is in its third year.

“It’s amazing what they’re doing against a larger military,” Biden added, touting Ukraine’s territorial gains and naval victories over the past two years. He exposed the support Russia has received from Iran and China, in contrast to the aid the United States and other allies will send to kyiv.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Original article source: Key NATO ally shocks with ‘most important’ commitment to Ukraine: ‘They need our support’