WARSAW: UK leader Rishi Sunak arrived in Warsaw on Tuesday for talks with Polish premier Donald Tusk and Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg that will focus on Ukraine and wider European security.
While in Poland's capital, the British prime minister will announce £500 million in additional military funding for Kyiv in its more-than two-year battle against Russia's attack, his Downing Street office said in a statement.
"Defending Ukraine against Russia's ambitions is vital for our security and for all of Europe. If Putin is allowed to succeed in this war of aggression, he will not stop at the Polish border," Sunak said ahead of the trip.
A Downing Street spokesperson said Sunak spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier on Tuesday "to assure him of the UK's steadfast support for Ukraine's defence".
"He confirmed that the UK would provide an additional £500 million in immediate funding to support the highest priority capabilities, including further ammunition, air defence and drones," the spokesperson said.
On the plane to Warsaw, Sunak told reporters he discussed Ukraine's air defence needs with Zelensky.
"You'll see that package that we've announced today is the single biggest package that we've ever announced in one day," Sunak added.
Zelensky has thanked the British leader, saying on social media he was grateful "for such a strong demonstration of support and for the willingness to further develop our defense cooperation".
Sunak's visit to Eastern Europe comes as Kyiv pleads with allies to ramp up supplies of ammunition and air defences desperately needed to repel Russian attacks.
Western countries are also under pressure to boost spending on their own defence in the face of Russian threats.
Ukraine has for months struggled with a growing shortage of ammunition, with Europe struggling to provide weaponry as Ukrainian forces get pushed back along the front line.
US lawmakers eased the pressure last weekend by unblocking a $61-billion military aid package for Kyiv following six months of political wrangling.
Ukraine has asked especially for seven more advanced Patriot systems capable of shooting down Russia's hypersonic missiles -- but is keen to get any help it can.
Six nations in the EU -- Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain -- have the US-designed systems.
Sunak will then travel to Germany where he will meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Wednesday. — AFP
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