Ukraine will receive an extra £ 1 billion in military aid from the British government to protect ‘peace and freedom’ across Europe.
Donations from Western leaders started small with tank missiles after Russia launched its ruthless attack in February, and have now reached almost £ 30 billion.
The UK was at the forefront of helping Volodymyr Zelensky defend his country against the Russian onslaught, spending more than £ 2 billion.
At the NATO summit in Spain, which ends today, the UK promised sophisticated air defense systems, drones and electronic warfare equipment.
According to officials, this will enable Ukraine to carry out offensive operations against Russian ground forces to regain lost territory.
Boris Johnson said: “Putin’s brutality continues to take Ukrainian lives and threaten peace and security across Europe.
“As Putin fails to make the gains he expected and hoped for and the futility of this war becomes clear to all, his attacks on the Ukrainian people become increasingly barbaric.
‘British weapons, equipment and training change Ukraine’s defense against this onslaught.
“And we will continue to stand firmly behind the Ukrainian people to ensure that Putin fails in Ukraine.”
The level of spending on defense was the source of a dispute between No. 10 and the military, with calls for extra funding for British forces to meet the increased demands.
NATO yesterday described Russia as the biggest ‘direct threat’ to Western security and agreed on plans to modernize Kiev’s armed forces, saying it stood behind Ukrainians’ ‘heroic defense’.
The announcement comes after Russian missiles hit a shopping mall in the city of Kremenchuk on Monday.
At least 18 people were killed in the attack, which the Ukrainian prosecutor general called a “crime against humanity”.
Mr Zelenksy said at least 1,000 civilians were inside at the time.
The need for extra support was underlined by Odessa MP Alex Goncharenko, who said Russia was using “an incredible amount of artillery and multiple rocket launching systems” to flatten parts of its country.
‘Yes, their artillery is old style, old Soviet style. But it kills, ‘he told reporters in Madrid.
‘They tried blitzkrieg and it failed, and now it’s scorched earth. Like World War I, this is the reality. ‘
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