Britain’s Sunak announces an increase in military aid to Ukraine

LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce a 500 million pound ($617 million) increase in military aid to Ukraine on Tuesday during a visit to Poland, warning that Russia must be defeated to prevent its forces further into Europe.

Sunak’s visit to Poland to meet Prime Minister Donald Tusk is his first international trip in months and is aimed at showing his troubled party that he is still in charge ahead of an election later this year that he is expected to lose.

Britain has long been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, and the additional funding will bring London’s total military aid for this budget year to £3 billion, just days after the US House of Representatives passed a $60 billion package .

“Defending Ukraine against Russia’s brutal ambitions is crucial 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 in a statement.

“Ukraine’s armed forces continue to fight valiantly, but they need our support – and they need it now. Today’s package will ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs to take the fight to Russia,” he said before the visit.

Britain will also send what it describes as its largest ever package of equipment, including 60 boats, more than 1,600 offensive and air defense missiles and almost 4 million small arms ammunition.

With Russia making some gains, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged countries to help Kiev obtain the long-range weapons and air defense systems he says are needed to turn the tide.

In Poland, Sunak Tusk, who as president of the European Council was outspoken about Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, will meet in person for the first time to discuss not only security but also deepening the trade relations. ($1 = 0.8102 pounds)

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Ros Russell)