British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a $60 million air defense package for Ukraine on Saturday during his first visit to Kyiv, according to Downing Street.
During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Sunak “confirmed that the UK will deliver a major new air defense package to help protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure against an intense barrage of Russian strikes”, according to a press release from Downing Street.
“The £50million defense aid package includes 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly drones supplied by Iran, including dozens of radars and an anti-drone electronic warfare capability,” the statement continues.
During his surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital, Sunak laid flowers at a memorial for Ukrainian war dead and lit a candle at a memorial for victims of the 1930s Holodomor famine, the statement said. .
The Prime Minister also met Ukrainian first responders who recounted their “arduous work” rescuing survivors from the rubble and fighting fires caused by Russian airstrikes and mortar attacks.
“It is very humbling to be in Kyiv today and to have the opportunity to meet those who do so much and pay such a high price to uphold the principles of sovereignty and democracy,” Sunak said, according to the communicated.
He expressed pride that the UK “has stood with Ukraine from the very beginning”, saying his visit signified the UK’s commitment to “continue to stand with Ukraine, as she fights to end this barbaric war and deliver a just peace.”
In addition to the air defense package, Sunak has also committed $14m (£12m) for funding the World Food Program Ukraine response as well as $5m (£4m) for the Ukraine response of the International Organization for Migration.
Correction: This post has been updated to correct the Air Defense Package amount. He is worth $60 million.
Cnn
