British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a $60 million air defense package for Ukraine on Saturday during his first visit to Kyiv, according to Downing Street.
During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Sunak “confirmed that the UK will provide a major new air defense package to help protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from an intense barrage of Russian attacks,” according to a Downing Street press release.
“The £50 million defense aid package includes 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability,” the statement continued.
During his surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital, Sunak laid flowers at a memorial to Ukraine’s war dead and lit a candle at a memorial for victims of the 1930s Holodomor famine , according to the statement.
The prime minister also met with Ukrainian first responders who described their “heartbreaking work” rescuing survivors from the rubble and fighting fires caused by Russian airstrikes and mortar attacks.
“It is deeply humbling to be in Kyiv today and have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much and paying such a high price to defend the principles of sovereignty and democracy,” Sunak said, according to the statement.
He expressed his pride that the UK “has stood by Ukraine from the beginning”, and said his visit signified the UK’s commitment to “continue to stand by Ukraine, as it fights to end this barbaric war and achieve a just peace.”
In addition to the air defense package, Sunak also committed $14m (£12m) in funding for the World Food Programme’s Ukraine response, as well as $5m (£4m) for to the response to Ukraine by the International Organization for Migration.
Correction: This post has been updated to correct the air defense package amount. It’s worth $60 million.