War in Ukraine: Zelensky praises billions in arms aid from London

After British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj thanked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for billions in military aid commitments. This year alone, London is giving 6.6 billion dollars – more than three billion dollars of which are earmarked as annual military aid as part of the strategic partnership agreement that has been concluded for over 100 years, said Zelenskyj in his evening video message. There is also a secret part of the contract that serves Ukrainian security, he added, without giving details.

According to his own statements, Zelenskyj met Ukrainian drone developers together with Starmer. Drones are manufactured more cheaply in Ukraine than elsewhere in Europe, he said, and announced further investments by foreign partners in domestic production. Drones have become one of the most important weapons on the battlefield since Russia’s war of aggression began almost three years ago. It is one of the few areas in which Ukraine is ahead of the highly equipped Russian military.

Zelensky also reported meetings with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp. A new aid package is currently being prepared in Rome, he said. He praised the government in The Hague as one of Kiev’s most consistent partners in the fight against the Russian invasion.