Britain promises $620 million in new military aid to Ukraine

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Britain on Tuesday pledged another $620 million in new military supplies for Ukraine, including long-range missiles and four million rounds of ammunition, at a time when Ukraine is struggling to hold off advancing Russian forces. eastern front line of the war, now in its third year.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday morning to confirm the aid and “assure him of Britain’s steadfast support for the defense of Ukraine against Russia’s brutal and expansionist ambitions,” the office said. Sunak.

Sunak traveled to Warsaw later Tuesday to meet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for talks on further aid to Ukraine.

Ahead of the visit, the British government said Sunak would announce 500 million pounds ($620 million, 580 million euros) in new British military supplies, including 400 vehicles, 60 boats, 1,600 rounds of ammunition and 4 million rounds of ammunition. The shipment will include British Storm Shadow long-range missiles, which have a range of about 150 miles and have proven effective at hitting Russian targets.

“President Zelensky thanked the Prime Minister for Britain’s continued support and said the new military aid would make a material difference to ordinary Ukrainians fighting on the front lines to defend their country,” Downing Street said.

The announcement comes three days after the US House of Representatives approved $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, as US lawmakers rushed to deliver a new round of US aid to the war-torn ally.

However, Downing Street did not indicate whether the aid would be immediately available for delivery. Zelensky has repeatedly called for more international aid, warning that without it his country will lose the war.

Ammunition shortages due to aid delays over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration grenades, a disadvantage that Russia took advantage of this year by capturing the city of Avdiivka and is currently advancing towards the city of Khasiv Yar, also in the east of Donetsk. region.