British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a $60 million air defense package for Ukraine during his first visit to Kiev on Saturday, according to Downing Street.
During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Sunak confirmed “that the UK will provide a major new package of air defenses to help protect Ukrainian citizens and critical national infrastructure from an intense barrage of Russian attacks,” according to a Downing press release. Street.
“The £50m package of defense assistance includes 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare,” the statement continued.
During his surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital, Sunak laid flowers at a memorial to Ukraine’s war victims and lit a candle at a memorial to the victims of the 1930s Holodomor famine, the statement said.
The prime minister also met with Ukrainian first responders who spoke of their “grievous work” in rescuing survivors from the rubble and fighting fires caused by Russian airstrikes and mortar attacks.
“It is deeply humbling to be in Kyiv today and have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much and paying such a high price to defend the principles of sovereignty and democracy,” Sunak said, according to the statement.
He expressed pride that the UK “has stood by Ukraine from the very beginning”, saying his visit marked the UK’s commitment to “continue to support Ukraine as it fights to end this barbaric war and build a just peace to bring”.
In addition to the air defense package, Sunak has also pledged $14 million (£12 million) in funding for the World Food Program response in Ukraine, as well as $5 million (£4 million) for the International Organization for Migration response in Ukraine.
Correction: This post has been updated to correct the height of the air defense package. It’s worth $60 million.