- Prime Minister in Kyiv for first
international visit to reiterate UK's unwavering commitment to
Ukraine
- Comes as the Prime Minister
announces the UK has agreed that defence firm MBDA can release
classified information on UK components for the long-range
missile, SCALP, to establish local assembly lines in Ukraine
-
expected to meet with President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and chair his first meeting of
the Coalition of the Willing, alongside other world leaders in
the city to mark Independence Day
will arrive in Ukraine this
morning (Monday 24 August) for his first overseas visit as Prime
Minister.
Just weeks after welcoming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the
UK in July as his first international guest, the Prime Minister
has travelled to Kyiv to reiterate the UK's unwavering support
for the Ukrainian people.
Visiting on Independence Day, the Prime Minister will tell the
Ukrainian people that the UK is four-square behind Ukraine's
independence, and Russia's threats only strengthen the UK's
resolve.
To underline the strength of this commitment, the Prime Minister
is set to announce that the Government has agreed that defence
firm MBDA can release classified information on UK components for
the long-range missile, SCALP, as Ukraine and France look to
establish local assembly lines in Ukraine.
The missile is the French-produced version of the UK's Storm
Shadow, with both using shared French and British technology.
The move follows the UK being the first to gift long-range strike
weapons for defensive purposes to Ukraine in 2023 and will allow
the French and Ukrainians to move forward with the Ukrainian
assembly of the missile.
It also complements the major UK effort to rapidly develop
low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukraine through
Project Brakestop.
Prime Minister said:
"On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian
people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for
as long as it takes.
"I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine
and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that
our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine's security is
our security.
"The friendship between our two countries will long outlast
Russia's illegal war. In both the fight and in the rebuilding to
come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for
people across both our countries.
"Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back
down until there is a just and lasting peace."
While in Kyiv, the Prime Minister will take part in Independence
Day events and co-chair his first meeting of the Coalition
of the Willing to discuss how the UK can continue to support
Ukraine as it courageously defends itself against Russia's
illegal invasion.
He will tell international partners that the UK's leadership on
Ukraine will remain steadfast under his Government.
While in Kyiv, the Prime Minister is expected to be presented
with an award on behalf of the British people, in recognition of
the United Kingdom's support.
The UK has been one of Ukraine's foremost partners since the
start of Russia's full-scale invasion, providing a range of
military, economic, and diplomatic support, underpinned by the UK
and Ukraine's 100 Year Partnership.
This includes leading efforts to secure Ukraine's long-term
security alongside France as co-chairs of the Coalition of the
Willing, and committing £25 billion in funding, including £16
billion in military assistance and £5.6 billion in non-military
support.
