Volodymyr, thank you for the
very kind honour you’ve just bestowed on me and for inviting me
here today.
It is an honour to stand with
you…
…and to send a message on behalf
of the United Kingdom…
…and indeed your allies around
the world:
Ukraine is not alone.
And Ukraine will never be
alone.
Putin might think he can outlast
us – but he is wrong.
We stand with you today,
tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.
Because this war is about
Ukraine’s right to defend itself and determine your own
future.
And the Ukrainian people’s
historic choice…
…to be an independent democracy
at the heart of Europe.
Your quest for freedom has
inspired and moved the British people.
And for the free nations of the
world, aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective
security.
Because if Putin wins in
Ukraine, he will not stop there.
And our opponents around the
world believe that we…
…have neither the patience nor
resources for long wars.
So waver now, and we embolden
not just Putin…
…but his allies in North Korea,
Iran, and elsewhere.
That’s why the United Kingdom –
and the free world - will continue to stand with Ukraine…
…as we have since the very
beginning of this war.
Judge our commitment to
Ukraine’s freedom not by our words, but by our actions.
The UK was the first to train
Ukrainian troops.
First in Europe to provide
lethal weapons.
First to commit western battle
tanks.
First to provide long-range
weapons.
But we need to do more.
Our actions right now will
determine the path of the war…
So, far from our resolve
faltering, the United Kingdom is announcing today…
…the biggest single package of
defence aid to Ukraine since the war began, worth £2.5bn.
This will include:
More air defence
equipment…
More anti-tank weapons…
More long-range missiles…
Thousands of rounds more
ammunition and artillery shells…
Training for thousands more
Ukrainian servicemen and women.
And £200m to build thousands
more drones…
…the single largest package of
drones given to Ukraine by any nation.
In total, since the war began,
the UK will have provided almost £12bn of aid to Ukraine.
And I’m proud that today,
President Zelensky and I…
…have signed a new security
agreement…
…that will form the core of a
partnership between our two countries…
…that will last a hundred years
or more.
This is the first in a series of
new, bilateral security assurances promised to Ukraine by 30
countries…
…at last year’s Vilnius
Summit.
And it says that if Russia ever
invades Ukraine again…
…the UK will come to your aid
with swift and sustained security assistance.
We will provide modern equipment
across land, sea, and sky…
Sanction Russia’s
economy…
And work closely with allies to
do so.
You will not have to ask.
You will not have to argue for
what you need.
The UK will be there from the
first moment to the last.
And of course, we continue to
support Ukraine’s journey to NATO membership.
You belong in NATO and NATO will
be stronger with you.
I pay tribute to all those whose
significant efforts made today’s agreement happen…
…from the Office of the
President, to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and
many others besides.
President Zelensky and his team
serve not only their country but the cause of peace and
justice.
The UK Parliament applauded your
courage, resilience, and sincere love of for your
country.
Even at a time of war, you are
reforming Ukraine for the better.
And with your leadership,
Ukraine will prevail.
Volodymyr, the UK stands with
you.
I believe this is the greatest
moment in the history of our relationship.
It extends security guarantees
from the UK to Ukraine that are unprecedented.
It defines our future as allies,
working together for the security of Europe.
And it says that Ukraine’s place
is, without doubt, among the free nations of the world.
Be in no doubt:
We are not walking away.
Ours is the unbreakable
alliance.
The nezlamni
allianz.
And just as we stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine…
…so those same principles guide
our actions around the world.
Let me say a brief word about
the situation in the Red Sea.
Overnight, the Royal Air Force
carried out strikes against two Houthi military facilities in
Yemen.
I want to be very clear that
these were limited strikes, carefully targeted at launch sites
for drones and ballistic missiles.
Over recent months, the Houthi
militia have repeatedly attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea…
risking innocent lives and causing huge economic
disruption.
In December, we launched
Operation Prosperity Guardian with our allies to bolster maritime
security.
On 3 January, 14 counties issued
a clear warning that attacks must cease.
On 10 January, the UN Security
Council passed a resolution condemning the attacks… and
highlighting the right of nations to defend their vessels and
preserve the freedom of navigation.
Yet the attacks have
continued.
British and American warships
have been targeted.
That’s why we’ve taken this
further, limited action today… in self defence, consistent with
the UN Charter.
In the face of this aggression,
we will always stand up for the rule of law.
Thank you.
