- New UK package of support for Ukraine's immediate and
longer-term needs at Ukraine Recovery Conference.
- UK and Ukraine conclude historic deal for Thales Air Defence
missiles, boosting British growth and jobs and keeping Ukraine in
the fight.
- UK also confirms up to £283 million in bilaterial assistance
for Ukraine over the next year.
Two hundred British jobs will be created and another 700
safeguarded in a major defence deal between the UK and Ukraine to
be signed at this year's Ukraine Recovery Conference
(URC).
The jobs at Thales in Belfast come as the UK and Ukraine
successfully conclude the largest export credit agency-backed
deal in Ukraine.
Supported by a £2.5 billion guarantee with a 19-year financing
agreement, the funds can now be released. This enables the
delivery of more than 5000 Air Defence missiles from British
business Thales – in what is not only a major boost to the UK's
defence capabilities but will also keep Ukraine in the fight,
boosting their defence against Russia's illegal full-scale
invasion.
Representing the Prime Minister at the conference, Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister for Exports
will formally sign the
agreement with the Government of Ukraine, marking a key milestone
in the UK-Ukraine defence cooperation.
The deal delivers on this Government's Plan for Change, by
spending more on defence and creating jobs we will keep the
country safe and boost economic growth.
In a speech at the conference in Rome, the Deputy Prime Minister
will also reaffirm the UK's bilateral assistance to Ukraine for
the financial year 2025-2026 of up to £283 million. This will
keep the country in the fight and ensure Ukrainians living
through Russia's illegal full-scale invasion have access to vital
support across humanitarian, energy, stabilisation, reform,
recovery and reconstruction needs.
Deputy Prime Minister
said:
“As we continue to witness the enduring strength of the Ukrainian
people, the UK stands by their side to provide the assistance
their country needs to not only stay in the fight, but to rebuild
and recover.
“This announcement underlines our continued support for Ukraine –
boosting their air defences against devastating drone and missile
attacks and supporting the critical work to reconstruct this
nation and provide the hope that they need.
“This will also provide skilled jobs in the UK and is all part of
our Plan for Change – bolstering the UK defence industry and
strengthening our international ties.”
Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports said on the Thales
deal:
“This landmark agreement is a powerful example of how British
expertise is supporting Ukraine's defence and recovery while
creating high-quality jobs at home.
“By unlocking UKEF-backed finance, we're enabling the delivery of
vital equipment to Ukraine and strengthening our own defence
industrial base.
“It's a clear demonstration of our Plan for Change in
action—backing British business, boosting exports, and standing
shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the face of Russian
aggression.”
The UK will provide up to £10.5 million for the Governance
Reform Programme and up to £1 million in support of Ukraine's
Green Transition Office in financial year 2025 to 2026 to help
Ukraine reform for the future. £10.5 million will go towards
efforts on rule of law, justice and anti-corruption while £1
million will fund work on green transition and energy, both
supporting Ukraine on its path to becoming a prosperous, green
and modern European nation.
During the conference, British International Investment (BII)
will also confirm €30 million for MHP, a leading Ukrainian
agribusiness. MHP employs over 30,000 people in Ukraine, with
more than 40% being women. The loan will help them to safeguard
jobs and boost resilience in the food and agriculture sectors
during Russia's full-scale invasion. MHP, Ukraine's largest
poultry and processed meat producer, exports to over 70
countries.
Underpinning much of these efforts, the UK will endorse the
Government of Ukraine's insurance agreement. This initiative
seeks to make insurance more affordable and widely accessible for
businesses, including those in the UK, helping to derisk their
investments into Ukraine.
The UK is committed to supporting Ukraine win the war and the
peace, emerging as a stronger, more prosperous and free nation,
resilient to Russian threats. Our 100 Year Partnership, alongside
the commitments made at URC, reaffirm the UK's iron-clad support
for Ukraine now and into the future.
In total, the UK has committed £18.3 billion for Ukraine with £13
billion in military support and £5.3 billion in non-military
support.
Background:
· More information on the
UK's overall support to Ukraine can be found here.
· The £10.5 million and £1
million funding commitments sit within the £283 million for the
financial year 2025-2026.
· The UK and Ukraine will
sign the UKEF financing agreement on Thales, with representatives
from both governments formalizing the deal's conclusion at
URC.
· The BII investment will be
funded from capital the UK Government has already provided
(£250 million) to support
BII's expansion into Ukraine.
· More information on MHP can
be found here.
