The joint statement made by the two leaders reads, “The United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, which threatens regional peace and security and undermines the global order.”
Boris Johnson emphasized the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
Both leaders underlined the inalienable right of every Ukrainian to choose their own future. They warned that any further intervention of Russia in Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake.
Ukraine and Great Britain agreed to work together on strengthening Ukraine’s security and defense capability. Prime Minister Johnson announced his government’s decision to provide ₤88 million of new funding to aid Ukraine’s efforts to achieve sustainable economic development and reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources.
The Ukrainian President and the British Prime Minister reaffirmed their wish to deepen strategic partnership between Great Britain and Ukraine in the areas of mutual interest and to continue their cooperation within the framework of the bilateral strategic dialog.
The British Prime Minister came to Kyiv in the midst of unending rumours about further Russian intervention in Ukraine. Due to its uncompromising position, London has become in recent days practically the chief ally of the official Kyiv in its efforts to resist Russian aggression.
Since 2015, British military instructors have trained at least 20 thousand Ukrainian servicemen. Apart from that, Great Britain has provided Ukraine with conventional weapons to the tune of ₤2.2 million along with a billion pound credit to increase military capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy. A couple of weeks ago, two thousand newest anti-tank missiles arrived from Great Britain to assist Ukraine in strengthening its defense sector.
The official London has announced a new legislation to expand the UK's sanctions regime against Russia in the event of a new aggression in Ukraine. The expanded sanctions are aimed at a large circle of persons and companies which are linked with the Kremlin.
The following is a remark of British Foreign Secretary Lizz Truss regarding the new legislation, “Whether you support Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine, or you’re of wider significance to the Kremlin, we will have the power to sanction you. Nothing is off the table and there will be nowhere to hide.This will amount to the toughest sanctions regime against Russia we have had in place yet, and mark the biggest change in our approach since leaving the European Union.”
She added that the UK has been clear that the only way forward is for Russia to de-escalate, end its aggressive campaign of hybrid warfare and engage in meaningful talks.
Her remarks were supported by Boris Johnson at a news briefing in Kyiv. “We are also preparing a package of sanctions and other measures to be enacted the moment the first Russian toecap crosses further into Ukrainian territory. We have done all this as a demonstration that we will always stand up for freedom, democracy and Ukrainian sovereignty in the face of aggression," the British Prime Minister said.
On February 1, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki paid an official visit to Kyiv. He had talks with President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Shmyhal.
After the talks, the Polish Prime Minister said that Poland is ready to provide Ukraine with different types of weapons such as ammunition, man-portable air-defense systems and drones.
“Of course, we stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian neighbors in the face of a threat they are experiencing now from Russia. However, solidarity and words are not enough today. They must be implemented in actions. Because of this and other reasons, particularly a very dangerous military situation which, unfortunately, exists there, we are ready to hand over defense weapons,” Morawiecki said.
On February 1, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree to strengthen the defense capability of the state. The presidential decree provides for increasing payments of servicemen and the number of a professional army for 100 thousand soldiers over the next three years as well as the creation of 20 additional brigades in the armed forces.
The newspaper Voice of Ukraine
