UK pledges tons of of latest assault drones to Ukraine forward of Zelenskyy-Sunak summit
The UK has pledged to ship tons of of latest long-range assault drones to Ukraine forward of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s assembly with Rishi Sunak at present.
The Ukrainian president will meet Mr Sunak at Chequers, the prime minister’s nation retreat, for “substantive negotiations” over army support.
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The authorities mentioned Mr Sunak will affirm at present the additional provision of tons of of air defence missiles and additional unmanned aerial methods, together with tons of of latest long-range assault drones with a variety of over 200km.
Mr Sunak mentioned it was a “crucial moment” in Ukraine‘s resistance in opposition to Russia‘s invasion, including: “We must not let them down.”
It comes as Mr Zelenskyy embarks on a multi-stop European tour for increased support from allies, as Kyiv prepares for its counteroffensive in opposition to Russian forces.
Mr Zelenskyy tweeted forward of his arrival, describing the UK as a “leader” in terms of Ukraine increasing its capabilities on the bottom and within the air.
The UK authorities’s announcement of additional army support follows confirmation that it has donated long-range precision missiles to Ukraine’s military.
The authorities mentioned the additional provisions to be confirmed later at present can be delivered within the coming months.
On Saturday, the German authorities promised Kyiv its largest army assist bundle thus far, with additional arms deliveries value €2.7bn (£2.35bn).
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France additionally pledged additional army support, as President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Zelenskyy met in a shock summit in Paris on Sunday.
Mr Macron’s workplace mentioned France will provide dozens of sunshine tanks and armoured automobiles “in the weeks ahead”, with out giving particular numbers.
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Britain has been one of many largest suppliers of army support to Ukraine since February 2022’s invasion, contributing £2.3bn value of assist final yr and pledging an analogous quantity for 2023.
Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy final met in February, when the Ukrainian president made his first go to to the UK since Russia invaded his nation.
Meanwhile, fierce combating continues in Ukraine’s japanese metropolis of Bakhmut, inflicting heavy losses on each side.
Neither Kyiv nor Moscow’s forces have been capable of take full management of the town regardless of months of combating, as evaluation suggests the battle for the town is not about seizing ground but maximising enemy casualties.
Mr Zelenskyy has mentioned his troops wouldn’t assault Russian territory as a part of their counteroffensive.