UK vows extra $1.6B military reinforcement to Ukraine

Britain said it would provide 1.3 billion pounds ($1.60 billion) in military support and aid to Ukraine, making the pledge ahead of a planned video call on Sunday by Group of Seven leaders with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine’s efforts to resist Russian forces. His government has already sent anti-tank missiles, air defence systems, and other weapons to Ukraine.

The new vow almost doubles Britain’s spending commitments on Ukraine. While, the government said this is the highest rate of spending reinforcement on a conflict since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The extra spending on Ukraine will come from a reserve used by the government for emergencies, Britain declared.

“Putin’s brutal attack is not only causing untold devastation in Ukraine – it is also threatening peace and security across Europe,” Johnson said in a statement. Last week, he became the first Western leader to address Ukraine’s parliament since the start of the invasion.

Britain helped the Ukrainian refugees since the war began, as the British government  said on Saturday that it had issued more than 86,000 visas to Ukrainians, of whom about 27,000 had reached Britain.