Kyiv (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, during his visit to Ukraine, announced £55m in assistance, reaffirming Britain’s support amid the ongoing war with Russia.
David Lammy arrived in Ukraine just weeks after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured that the UK will take an active role in securing a lasting peace, including a possible troop deployment.
What did David Lammy announce during his Ukraine visit?
During his visit to Ukraine, Mr Lammy is ready to meet the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior prominent figures; he assured that Britain’s support to Ukraine is unwavering.
He stated in a statement,
“We are determined to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, both in its fight against Russia and beyond.”
While revealing £55m in assistance for sectors like energy, grain, and social services, the focus will likely remain on the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Referring to building ties with Ukraine, David Lammy remarked,
“Our focus is not only on strengthening future relations between our countries but also on aiding Ukraine now as Russia’s relentless strikes on essential infrastructure, communities, and businesses endure.“
What non-military assistance did David Lammy offer Ukraine?
Mr Lammy expected to reveal £17m in financial assistance for energy projects to boost the resilience of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has been repeatedly targeted by Russian airstrikes.
Sky News reported that an additional £10m will be dedicated to Ukraine’s economic recovery, while £25m will support the nation’s social services.
Mr Lammy’s non-military assistance to Ukraine highlights that Britain would face a considerable challenge in offering effective security guarantees without a major increase in defence spending and military capacity.
Foreign Secretary priorities include a £3m commitment in a bid to assist grain supplies to Syria, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which is a close ally of Mr Putin.
How much financial aid did Britain commit to Ukraine during David Lammy’s Kyiv visit in 2024?
In September 2024, Mr Lammy visited Kyiv with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and revealed that the UK would extend £600 million ($781 million) in further support to Ukraine.
At that time, Britain committed £242 million to tackle humanitarian needs and £484 million in loan guarantees to assist World Bank lending to Ukraine before the end of 2024.
What are Keir Starmer’s views on UK troops in Ukraine for a peace deal?
When asked about deploying troops, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that the UK would contribute “its full support” in any future peace negotiation, which could include sending troops to Ukraine.
But he emphasized,
“I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. This has to be enduring. It has to be lasting. It needs to be sufficient to deter further aggression [by Russia].”
Can NATO ensure a credible security force for Ukraine’s peace deal?
The UK and France are in discussion with NATO allies about the potential deployment of a security force to Ukraine to oversee a peace agreement, if one is finalized between Moscow and Kyiv.
However, this task would be a massive challenge, demanding thousands of troops and increasing the threat of direct conflict between Russia and NATO members. Despite repeated requests, Ukraine has not been granted membership in the alliance.
Concerns are growing about the capability of European NATO nations to provide an effective monitoring force, or if the United States will need to play a role.
When the war between Ukraine and Russia started?
Ukraine and Russia conflict started on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces launched a major offensive against Ukraine. The fight is set to enter its fourth year on February 24, with rising projections for the initiation of ceasefire discussions.