Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a security treaty

12 January, 2024 Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak. Photo credits: Ukrainska Pravda Ukraine and the United Kingdom have signed a security treaty that will be valid for 10 years with the possibility of extension or until Ukraine joins NATO.

The corresponding statement came during the visit of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Ukraine. "I'm here today with one message: Britain won't back down either. We will be together with Ukraine in its darkest hours and in the best times that come.

Britain is already one of Ukraine's closest partners because we recognize that their security is our security," Sunak said. The treaty was called the Security Cooperation Agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Ukrainian President Zelensky said that "if such guarantees had been achieved in 1991, in particular with Britain, then the war would not have begun."

Rishi Sunak in Kyiv.

Source: X (ex-Twitter) of the UK Prime Minister

Earlier it had been reported that the treaty formalized the range of support for Ukraine, including on intelligence transfer, cybersecurity, medical and military training and cooperation in the defense industry. The treaty also provides that the UK will consult with Ukraine in the event of new attacks by Russia and provide rapid and stable defense aid. The UK government also allocated almost £2.5 billion that includes additional air defense equipment and additional long-range missiles.

In addition, the British government plans to continue training the Ukrainian military.

Illustration photo of the Ukrainian military in Great Britain. Photo from open sources

Sunak said that the UK will provide Ukraine with 200 million pounds for the production of various drones for Ukrainian needs and will transfer drones whose purpose is not disclosed. "The drones we provide will help hit Russian forces and help drive Russia away from Ukraine, as well as reduce risks to Ukrainian exports across the Black Sea.

Reconnaissance drones, long-range attack drones, as well as FPV drones," Sunak said. Recently, Militarnyi reported that the British Ministry of Defense has agreed to transfer to Ukraine a new batch of missiles to air defense systems. The additional number of anti-aircraft missiles should help provide better capabilities in the destruction of Russian drones and missiles that target civil and critical infrastructure.

ASRAAM missile launcher on SupaCat chassis.

2023.

Photo credits: The Times

It was also reported that the British mobile air defense system, which uses ASRAAM missiles, had demonstrated successful results in Ukraine.

A joint group of the British Ministry of Defense and MBDA in a short term prepared the system, tested it and trained Ukrainian crews.