New British Defense Secretary John Healey has promised more artillery, ammunition and missiles to Ukraine, confirming London's permanent support for Kiev, reported France Press, quoted by BTA.
Healey, who was appointed to the ministerial post by new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, made the announcement during a visit today to the Black Sea city of Odessa in southern Ukraine - the first trip abroad in his new role.
According to the new minister, Britain will provide additional armaments to Ukraine and accelerate its efforts to provide previously promised military support, PA media/DPA note.
The Ministry of Defense said Healy had instructed his staff to do everything possible to ensure that the aid package promised in April by the previous government is delivered in full within the next 100 days.
The ministry specified that the new package includes ammunition, 90 "Brimstone" missiles, 50 small military boats to support riverine and coastal operations, 40 demining machines, 10 AS-90 artillery guns and support for those already provided, such as and 61 bulldozers to help build defensive positions.
The ministry said the UK commitment since April included 400 vehicles, 1,600 attack and anti-aircraft missiles, 4 million rounds of ammunition and 60 boats, including vessels for coastal raids.
In Odessa, the new Minister of Defense spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky posted a photo of Healy participating in a commemorative service on the occasion of Ukrainian Navy Day.
Earlier, new British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK's military, economic, political and diplomatic support for Ukraine "will remain unwavering" and under the Labor government.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Britain has provided Kiev with military aid worth more than 7.6 billion pounds ($9.7 billion).
"As the new Defense Secretary, I will ensure that we revive support for Britain by increasing the delivery of vital military aid. Our commitment to support the Ukrainian people is absolute, as is our determination to oppose Russian aggression and prosecute [Russian President Vladimir] Putin for his war crimes. "This government is unwavering in its commitment to continue providing military aid and will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as necessary," Healey said.
The British minister also met with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov.
Former British Labor Prime Minister Tony Blair has advised new Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer to prepare an "immigration control plan" - one of the main concerns of the British, which contributed to the rise of the party "Reform United Kingdom" in the parliamentary elections, notes France Press, quoted by BTA.
In an article published in the "Sunday Times", Blair gives "advice" of Starmer and draws parallels with the situation in France and Italy. The ex-prime minister, who did not attract much attention during the election campaign, warned that the anti-immigrant and anti-establishment Reform UK party "presents a challenge for Labour" even though it is taking votes mainly from the Conservatives.
The Labor Party won a landslide victory in Thursday's general election, but the "Reform UK" won over 14% of the vote, entering parliament with five MPs, including its leader, hard-right leader Nigel Farage.
Cultural issues are at the heart of the party's vote "as much as economic, if not more so,", Tony Blair believes. On this issue, "British politics has a lot in common with European politics," where traditional political parties "are being destabilized," he said, citing France and Italy as examples. This is precisely why, according to him, the country "needs a plan to control immigration" as well as a "firm new approach". to security and justice.
Furthermore, London "must avoid any weakness in terms of "walk ideology,", meaning politicians and activists who see in everything racial discrimination, sexism or other social injustices.
Blair, who now heads an influential think tank, also praised artificial intelligence in his article, which he says is an ideal tool to fight illegal immigration. He also calls for the introduction of a digital identity card for Britons, so that "we know exactly who has the right to be here".