Russia-Ukraine war – live: Sunak visits Zelensky as UK pledges thousands of drones to Kyiv

Rishi Sunak has insisted that the UK’s new aid package for Ukraine is an “investment” in the world’s security.

Britain has announced a £2.5 billion aid package for Ukraine in the next financial year – an increase of £200 million

Speaking at a joint press conference with president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Mr Sunak said: “Ukraine is not alone, and Ukraine will never be alone. Putin might think that he can outlast us but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.”

He added: “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.”

Rishi Sunak said if the UK wavered in its support of Ukraine it would embolden Vladimir Putin and “his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere”.

Giving a press conference alongside Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, the Prime Minister said “our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor the resources for long wars”.

He said: “Ukraine is not alone, and Ukraine will never be alone. Putin might think that 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 to 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 emboldened 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.”

Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded Rishi Sunak the Ukrainian order of freedom – recognising his “outstanding personal contribution” into strengthening co-operation between the countries and the “territorial integrity” of the ally.

The Ukrainian president thanked the PM for “your personal leadership” and said the UK’s new security agreement “lays the groundwork for our further work with our other partners”.

Mr Sunak said he was “proud” to sign a new security agreement with Ukraine – worth £2.5bn over the next year – as he spoke at a press conference in Kyiv.

The Tory leader said the new pact will last “100 years or more”. He said the pact promises that if Russia ever invades Ukraine again “the UK will come to your aid with swift and sustained security assurance”.

Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have signed a UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation during the British prime minister’s surprise trip to Kyiv.

The agreement came after G7 countries agreed at last year’s Nato summit to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances.

Zelensky described it as an “unprecedented security agreement”. Local media cited Zelensky as saying the agreement would remain in effect until Ukraine joined NATO.

The two leaders are expected to host a joint press conference shortly.

Rishi Sunak has made a surprise visit to Ukraine today after announcing the government’s £2.5 billion military aid package for the coming year.

Number 10 said that the £2.5 billion in funding would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

Around £200 million will also be spent on a push to procure and produce thousands of military drones, which the Government said was the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

Downing Street also said that additional funding to fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks will also be given, as well as an additional £18 million to deliver humanitarian aid on the front line.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government announced that, with help from the UK, it will promote the English language in Ukraine to boost ties.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned on Friday that Moscow would regard any move by Britain to deploy a military contingent to Ukraine as a declaration of war against Russia.

The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and Putin’s close ally made the comments in response to Rishi Sunak’s surprise visit to Kyiv on Friday.

“And I also hope that our archenemies, the impudent British understand that officially stationing their troops in Ukraine would mean declaration of war against our country,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter

Medvedev also appeared to pose a hypothetical situation where Kyiv could be targetted by Russia during the British prime minister’s visit, writing: “What would Western public say, if the British representatives happened to be bombarded with cluster ammunition in the centre of Kiev, just as was the case with our innocent civilians in Belgorod?”

Rishi Sunak has said the new aid package announced for Ukraine will send a “strong signal of support” for Ukraine that “Putin needs to recognise”.

Speaking from Kyiv, where he has gone on a surprise visit to on Friday, the prime minister said the new commitment of £2.5 billion demonstrates the “seriousness of the situation”.

“We are one of Ukraine’s most significant supporters, particularly when it comes to providing military aid,” he said.

“[The aid is] more than we’ve provided in previous years which represents the seriousness of the situation here and our determination to stand with Ukraine and that’s why I’m here on my first foreign visit of this year the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine this year.

“I want to send a strong signal of support to the Ukrainian people but also a strong signal of support that Vladimir Putin needs to recoginise we’re not going anywhere. I’m here with one clear message – the United Kingdom stands with Ukraine.”

Rishi Sunak will hold a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at lunchtime.

The PM is also expected to make a speech early this afternoon during his surprise visit to the country.

Mr Sunak has announced an extra £2.5bn in military aid for the country in its fight against Russia.

The Tory leader posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, saying he was there to deliver a message: “Our support cannot and will not falter. To all Ukrainians, Britain is with you – for as long as it takes.”

Grant Shapps said the UK has proved its “unwavering” support of Ukraine’s fightback against Russia as the Government announced it will provide £2.5 billion in military aid to the country over the coming year.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Defence Secretary said: “We said our support would be unwavering and today we’ve proved it.

“Putin hoped the West would be distracted by events in the Middle East but today we’ve taken the critical step to increase our military support to Ukraine, to get them more of what they need to win.”

The prime minister has arrived in Ukraine’s capital for his surprise visit on Friday morning.

Rishi Sunak will meet president Volodymyr Zelensky to announce a major new package of military aid to Ukraine. Mr Sunak was also pictured meeting Ukrainian emergency service staff upon his arrival in Kyiv.