Britain is to announce additional $1 billion in aid to Ukraine as senior ministers hold a series of meetings with their international partners, DPA reported, BTA reported.
In Washington, British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is expected to confirm a $1.02 billion payment to Kiev before meeting Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko.
The payment, part of a $4.23 billion loan, is intended to help buy weapons including long-range missiles, air defense systems and drones.
Reeves said: “This funding will help deliver the military equipment Ukraine needs as it defends itself against Russia's unjustified war. I am proud that the UK is a leading partner in providing vital support to Ukraine and we will continue to do even more, while keeping up the pressure on Russia.“
Meanwhile, British Defence Secretary John Healy will use today's meeting of the Contact Group on Defence Assistance to Ukraine, known as the Ramstein Group, to announce the largest drone package ever provided by the UK to Ukraine, which will include the delivery of 120,000 unmanned aerial vehicles to the country.
The package will include long-range strike drones, reconnaissance drones, logistics drones and those with maritime capabilities, many of which are manufactured by UK-based companies.
“This large influx of battle-tested drones will give Ukrainian forces the capability they need to "protect their people and respond to Russian aggression," Healey said.
Drones are increasingly becoming a dominant tool in the war in Ukraine, with the technology now responsible for the majority of battlefield casualties. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had for the first time taken a Russian position using only ground and air drones.
Healey also urged the public not to be "distracted" from Ukraine by the war in the Middle East, adding: "Nothing will distract us from continuing to stand with them for however long it takes to ensure peace."
He will announce the new aid while chairing a meeting of the Ramstein Group today in Berlin together with his German and Ukrainian counterparts and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Composed of 50 countries, the group organizes regular meetings between Ukraine's allies and was chaired by the United States until last year, before Donald Trump's return to the White House, DPA notes.