The UK has pledged £3 billion annually to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced during his second visit to Kyiv. This commitment marks the largest spending pledge by the UK since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Cameron expressed openness to the possibility of UK-supplied weapons being used for strikes inside Russia, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-defense given Russia’s incursions. The UK has recently increased military aid to Ukraine, including precision-guided bombs, air defense missiles, and equipment for mobile air defense teams.
Foreign Minister David Cameron (Credits: CNBC)
In addition to military assistance, the UK plans to double its domestic munitions production over the next decade, ensuring national security while sustaining support for Ukraine’s defense efforts. Cameron also announced a £36 million package for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, aimed at facilitating its energy transition and recovery.
Emphasizing the importance of international solidarity, Cameron announced plans to convene partners to secure additional contributions to the International Fund for Ukraine. However, he ruled out deploying British troops to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron maintained a stance of strategic ambiguity, highlighting the need for credibility in supporting Ukraine while keeping deterrent measures undisclosed to maintain effectiveness.
David Cameron (Credits: Reddit)
The long-term commitment to arming Ukraine’s military may face scrutiny in the event of a change in government, with Labour potentially needing to either adopt or renounce Cameron’s spending pledge.
While UK-Ukraine policy has generally enjoyed bipartisan support, it remains unclear whether Labour leader Keir Starmer was consulted on this multi-year commitment.
