Rishi Sunak makes surprise visit to Ukraine after launching Yemen strike

Rishi Sunak is making a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet Volodymyr Zelensky, as the UK announced it will provide £2.5 billion in military aid to the country over the coming year.

It comes just hours after the prime minister authorised strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, as Britain joined the US in Red Sea military action.

Mr Sunak told his cabinet about the strikes on Thursday evening, and – in an unusual move – the government briefed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey.

But a row has erupted over the PM’s failure to seek approval of parliament for the RAF strikes in Yemen, with the Liberal Democrats , the SNP and some Labour MPs demanding the recall of the Commons.

The Ukraine visit comes as the Mr Zelensky pushes allies in the West to give his country more support to fight back against Russian forces, amid fears interest in the war is flagging.

The crisis in the Middle East as Israel continues to bombard Gaza has also turned global attention away from the battle against Vladimir Putin.

The PM and Mr Zelensky will use the one-day visit to sign a new UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, after G7 countries agreed at last year’s Nato summit to sign bilateral security assurances with the country.

(PA Wire)

No 10 said that the new £2.5bn funding package would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security, with the support an increase of £200m on the last two years.

Mr Sunak said: “For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.”

The Tory leader added: “I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.”

Around £200m will also be spent on a push to procure and produce thousands of military drones, which the government said was the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation. Most are expected to be manufactured in the UK.

The PM will meet Ukrainian emergency workers during the visit, with Mr Sunak also expected to announce a further £18m in aid. Funding and resources will also be provided for English language training in the country, No 10 said.

The Ukrainian leader has begun the year with a visit to several Baltic states in a bid to drum up support. Mr Zelensky has said that Ukraine particularly needs air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages. More than 500 drones and missiles were fired over new year, according to officials in Kyiv.

The PM has stressed the UK’s continued backing for Kyiv ahead of his meeting with Mr Zelensky. Mr Sunak said that the UK recognises that Ukrainian “security is our security”. He said the new £2.5bn paackage would “provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.”

(Sky News)

It comes amid concerns about the impact of Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea – and the UK decision to join US strikes in Yemen. Mr Sunak said the move was “self-defence” aimed at protecting shipping lanes.

The Labour leader has said he supports the strikes – but demanded a Commons statement “at the first opportunity” and a summary of the government’s legal position today.

The Sunak government is thought to fear the British economy could shrink in the face of the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea.

The Treasury has modelled scenarios, such as crude oil prices increasing by more than $10 a barrel and a 25 per cent rise in natural gas, according to the BBC.

Mr Sunak’s armed forces minister James Heappey played down concerns about the danger of a wider escalation in the Middle East after criticism from Russia.

The defence minister told BBC Breakfast that “allegations of escalation from the Kremlin always ring hollow”. But he conceded that there could be “nervousness” in the region.

Mr Sunak made his first visit to Ukraine in November 2022, weeks after entering No 10. The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukraine, with Mr Zelensky visiting London early last year in a historic trip.