UK foreign secretary arrives in Ukraine's capital Kyiv

ISTANBUL

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday arrived in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on an official visit, less than a month after Kyiv and London signed a "100 Year Partnership" agreement during the UK’s premier visit to Ukraine.

A press release from the UK Foreign Office said that Lammy will reiterate London’s continued support of Ukraine and see first-hand how the UK’s support can put Kyiv in the “strongest possible position,” as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is set to enter its fourth year later this month.

The release confirmed a new support package for Kyiv from the UK totaling £55 million ($68.7 million) that it said will “boost resilience and growth in the UK and Ukraine.”

As part of the aid, the UK is providing £3 million for deliveries of Ukrainian grain and other food produce to Syria, delivering on commitments made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy two weeks prior, it added.

The press release said that Lammy will announce £17 million for innovative energy projects with the intention to support the recovery and sustainability of Ukraine’s energy system, which has been targeted regularly by Russian airstrikes.

“Shoring up Ukraine’s private sector and the resilience of small and medium businesses, the new economic recovery programme, announced by the Prime Minister (Keir Starmer) as part of the 100 Year Partnership, will receive a £10 million boost to help renew, rebuild and reform Ukraine’s economy for the future,” it added.

Another £25 million of UK funding will support Ukraine to bolster “more inclusive, effective and efficient social systems and services,” the release said.

It added that Lammy will meet Zelenskyy, as well as his counterpart Andrii Sybiha, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna while in Kyiv.

Separately, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Valerii Zaluzhnyi said on Telegram that they will talk about "further cooperation and joint projects to strengthen the security of Ukraine."

On Jan. 16, Ukraine and the UK signed a "100 Year Partnership" agreement during a visit by Starmer to Kyiv.