Rishi Sunak said he was “humbled” to be in Ukraine, as the UK Prime Minister held his first face-to-face meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
The visit came as the prime minister, in office only a matter of weeks, pledged continued British support to the war-torn country in the fight against Russia.
Mr Sunak’s arrival was accompanied by the announcement of a £50 million (€57 million) package of defence aid comprising 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to help Ukraine counter Iranian-supplied drones, including radars and anti-drone technology.
The visit came after a week that saw tensions between the West and Russia ratchet up, after a missile hit a Polish village close to the Ukrainian border and sparked concerns Russia had struck a Nato member state.
Tensions have eased since by the likely attribution of the hit to Ukrainian defence forces, but Russian missile strikes on the country have shown no sign of relenting.
In Kyiv, Mr Sunak laid flowers at a memorial for the war dead and lit a candle at a memorial for victims of the Holodomor famine, before meeting emergency personnel at a fire station.
He said it was “deeply humbling” to be in Kyiv, and he said he was “proud” of how the UK had backed Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
“I am here today to say the UK and our allies will continue to stand with Ukraine, as it fights to end this barbarous war and deliver a just peace,” he said.
“While Ukraine’s armed forces succeed in pushing back Russian forces on the ground, civilians are being brutally bombarded from the air.
“We are today providing new air defence, including anti-aircraft guns, radar and anti-drone equipment, and stepping up humanitarian support for the cold, hard winter ahead.
“It is deeply humbling to be in Kyiv today and to have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much, and paying so high a price.”
Mr Zelenskiy tweeted his thanks to Rishi Sunak: “With friends like you by our side, we are confident in our victory. Both of our nations know what it means to stand up for freedom.”
Britain knows what it means to fight for freedom.
We are with you all the way @ZelenskyyUa 🇺🇦🇬🇧
Британія знає, що означає боротися за свободу.
Ми з вами до кінця @ZelenskyyUa 🇺🇦🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/HsL8s4IbqaAdvertisement— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) November 19, 2022
Mr Sunak’s vocal support sees him follow in the footsteps of his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
The UK Prime Minister, who has spoken to Mr Zelenskiy on more than one occasion since entering Downing Street, used his appearance at the G20 this week to join allies and other Western leaders to condemn Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
A video of the meeting, posted by Mr Sunak’s Twitter account, shows him shaking hands with the Ukrainian leader in a snowy Kyiv.
“Welcome. How are you?” Mr Zelenskiy asks the UK Prime Minister.
UK PM Rishi Sunak meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he makes his first visit to Kyiv after assuming office
(Source: UK PM's office) pic.twitter.com/DY4bcNGysz— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2022
“Really good to see you,” Mr Sunak says as Mr Zelenskiy gestures at the falling snow.
The pair are shown shaking hands in front of the Union flag and Ukraine’s flag, with the two men also shown holding a one-to-one meeting.
During the visit, Mr Sunak also confirmed £12 million for the World Food Programme’s response to Ukraine, as well as £4 million for the International Organisation for Migration, ahead of what is expected to be a long winter for the country.
