British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak discussed today in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Ukraine's need for more air defense systems, Reuters reported.
Sunak said the two discussed Britain's £500 million increase in military aid to Ukraine. The United Kingdom is one of the main supporters of Ukraine. With the additional funds, London's aid to Ukraine for this fiscal year will reach a total of £3 billion. A few days ago, the US House of Representatives approved an aid package worth more than 60 billion dollars for Ukraine.
"I agree that air defense is one of the areas where Ukraine needs support," Sunak said. "Zelenski and I talked about air defense, one of the many things we discussed," he said, adding that he would also talk about the topic at meetings with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk later today. The British leader announced that tomorrow he will discuss the issue with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Zelensky welcomed the new package, writing on the network Ex": "Storm Shadow" and other missiles, hundreds of armored vehicles and vessels, ammunition - all this is needed on the battlefield."
As Russia has made some gains, Zelensky has called on countries to help Kiev acquire long-range weapons and air defense systems, which he says are needed to turn the situation around, Reuters adds.