The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom assured that Kiev will receive support "for as long as it takes"LONDON, November 28.
/tass/. The UK may increase the volume of military assistance provided to Ukraine in 2023. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, will make such a statement on Monday, excerpts from his speech were distributed by his office on Sunday.
"Don't have any doubts. We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will maintain or increase our military assistance next year. And we will deliver new air defense assistance to protect Ukrainians and the critical infrastructure they rely on. By defending Ukraine, we are defending ourselves," Sunak said in a speech, which he is expected to deliver at a banquet organized by the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
In addition, Sunak, who became Prime Minister on October 25, in his first major speech on foreign policy topics, will point out the need to build a long-term strategy of the kingdom. "Under my leadership, we will not agree to the status quo. We will act differently. We will evolve, having secured, as always, our inexhaustible faith in freedom, openness and the rule of law and being confident that at the current moment of challenges and rivalry, our interests will be protected and our values will prevail," the Prime minister said in his speech.
"Our opponents and competitors are planning for the long term. In the face of challenges, short-term plans or wishful thinking are not enough," Sunak said in his speech. - We will make a revolutionary leap in our approach. This means that we need to be stronger in upholding our values and in openness, on which our prosperity depends."
The office of the head of the British government recalled that the country's authorities are currently working on updating the Comprehensive Review of Security, Defense and Foreign Policy Issues of the United Kingdom published last year against the background of "huge geopolitical changes" that have occurred since that moment.
On November 19, during a visit to Kiev, Sunak said that the volume of British military assistance to Ukraine exceeded £3 billion ($3.6 billion). In particular, the UK has sent to Ukraine about 7 thousand NLAW anti-tank missile systems, more than 100 armored vehicles, Stormer self-propelled anti-aircraft guns equipped with Starstreak missiles, several dozen M109 howitzers and towed L119 guns, M270 multiple rocket launchers, Brimstone precision missiles, more than 16 thousand artillery shells, barrage ammunition and 4.5 tons of plastic explosives substances.
In mid-October, it also became known that the UK government will supply Ukraine with AIM-120 medium-range missiles (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, AMRAAM) for American NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems. In addition, London promised to train 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers every four months in three-week training courses. According to the latest data, by now British instructors have already trained more than 7 thousand servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
London will also transfer 125 anti-aircraft guns and special equipment to Kiev to strengthen air defense and combat drones. By mid-December, it is planned to supply 25 thousand sets of winter uniforms, 2 thousand sleeping sets for extremely cold weather and 150 tents with heating for the AFU as part of the next aid package.
