UK Confirms £1 Billion Administered in Aid to Ukraine
The U.K Government has announced that over £1 billion has been raised for the IFU (International Fund for Ukraine) which is made up of eight countries from across the globe, including Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The news comes during the start of a visit to the UK by the Ukrainian Defence Secretary Rustem Umerov to meet his British counter part John Healy. Ahead of meetings to discuss the acceleration of UK Military aid for Ukraine. Healy commented of the importance of the need to continue support to Ukraine in a recent MOD press release:
‘UK military equipment continues to prove invaluable for Ukraine’s war effort. The ongoing defensive operation in Kursk underlines the crucial importance of continued support. And today’s milestone for the International Fund for Ukraine shows the value of working with our Allies to deliver that support.’
Healy also added that “Our government is stepping up Britain’s support for Ukraine to fight Putin’s illegal invasion. We are speeding up deliveries of aid, with a much-needed ammunition package announced by the Prime Minister at NATO set to begin deliveries within months,” concluding by saying that “we will continue to step up our support to help Ukraine achieve victory.”
The Fund’s landmark milestone of £1 billion worth of support for Ukraine comes after the British Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced the biggest UK support package for Ukraine at a NATO summit in July 2024. Announcing a £300 million contract to supply 152mm Artillery shells for Ukraine’s Soviet-era produced artillery pieces. It was also revealed that the UK would commit to £3 billion worth of Aid for the country per year for the duration of ongoing war.
Healy also confirmed that the 152mm contract had been signed, with deliveries of the ammunition expected to start to make their way into Ukraine before the end of 2024. 120,000 shells are to be manufactured as part of the contract. The IFU was launched in 2022, with the UK providing £500 million to the fund since its inception.