UK’s foreign minister visits Kyiv, announces further financial support

Britain’s foreign minister David Lammy, in a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, will announce a further 55 million pounds ($68.7 million) in financial support to help put it in the “strongest position possible”.During his visit, the second since he became foreign minister last year, Lammy will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other government figures to discuss how Britain and international partners can continue to support Ukraine.Lammy’s visit comes as Kyiv tries to establish close relations with the new administration of US President Donald Trump, who has said he wants to bring a quick end to the nearly three-year-old war with Russia.”Our support for Ukraine remains unbreakable,” Lammy said. “We are determined to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, both in its fight against Russia and beyond.”The foreign office said Britain would provide three million pounds for deliveries of Ukrainian grain and other food produce to Syria, with whom Ukraine wants to restore relations after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, a close Russian ally.Ukraine, a global producer and exporter of grain and oilseeds, sent its first batch of food aid to Syria in December.As part of the new financial package, 17 million pounds will go to innovative energy projects, 10 million to help the recovery of Ukrainian businesses and 25 million to support family and community-based services, the foreign office said.Britain has committed 977 million pounds in support to Ukraine and the region since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. It has also committed to provide 3 billion pounds of annual military support for as long as it is needed.