Rishi Sunak visited Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zeleskyy, his first visit since becoming prime minister.

These two leaders discussed Ukraine military advancements and reconstruction plans. The British PM promised a PS50m package for strengthening Ukraine’s air defense.

This package includes 125 anti-aircraft guns, technology to counter Iranian drones, and dozens of radars to increase anti-drone electronic warfare capabilities.

The UK will also provide specialised support by sending specialist army medics to Ukraine to increase the training of its armed forces.

Advertisement

During his visit to Ukraine, Mr Sunak placed flowers at a monument for war dead, lit candles at a memorial of victims of the Holodomor Famine famine and met first responders from Ukraine, including fire fighters at a station.

A spokesperson for No 10 confirmed that the prime minister was in Ukraine to meet with President Zelenskyy , and to confirm the continued support of the UK.

Sunak tweeted that Britain knows what it means for freedom to fight. We will be there for you every step of the way.

President Zelenskyy posted a brief video to his Telegram account showing the UK PM getting out a car and walking along the red carpet into the Mariinskyia Palace.

As they shake hands, the leaders seem to be making a comment on the cold weather. Small flakes of snow are falling everywhere.

Sunak, wearing a flag pin that shows the British and Ukrainian flags side by side, is seen in a one-on-one meeting with President of Ukraine, as well as a roundtable meeting with military leaders.

The video was accompanied by a message from the Ukrainian leader that stated: “Since war’s inception, Ukraine and the UK were the strongest allies.

“We discussed the most pressing issues for both our countries as well as global security during today’s meeting.

“Together, we are stronger, and we will achieve our goals.”

He also thanked Mr Sunak via Twitter, writing: “With friends such as you by our side we are confident in winning. Both our countries know what it means for them to fight for freedom.

In a statement, Mr Sunak stated that he was proud of the UK’s support for Ukraine since the beginning. Today, I’m here to tell you that the UK and its allies will stand by Ukraine as it fights for a just and peaceful end to this barbarous war.

While the Ukrainian armed forces are able to push back Russian forces on ground, civilians are being brutally bombed from the sky. Today, we are providing new air defense, including radar and anti-drone weapons, and increasing humanitarian support for the harsh, cold winter ahead.

“It’s deeply humble to be in Kyiv today, to have the chance to meet those doing so much and paying such a high price.”

Subscribe to Ukraine War Diaries wherever your podcasts are available

Following in the footsteps former prime ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Liz Truss’ footsteps, Mr Sunak pledges the UK’s continued support to Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

This week, the prime minister used his G20 appearance to join other Western leaders and condemn Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

This visit follows a missile strike on a Polish village near the Ukrainian border, killing two and raising concerns that Russia might have struck a NATO member.

The likely attribution of the hit Ukrainian defense forces has helped to ease tensions.

According to Ukrainian forces, Russia has launched more than 148 missiles at critical infrastructure in the past week, leaving around 10 million people without power.