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The UK will speed up deliveries of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to Ukraine, PM Andy Burnham’s Office said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive in the UK this morning as the UK calls on international partners to step up sanctions on Russia and increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin to respect the United States’ calls for an energy ceasefire.
It comes as the UK doubles down on support for Ukraine, including delivering £45 million of surface-to-air missiles and standing by plans to fully implement a maritime services ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports – restricting Russia’s access to the UK’s world leading shipping and insurance services, the British PM’s Office said.
The UK will accelerate deliveries of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), which have proven extremely effective against jet-powered drones that are being used to strike far beyond the front lines in Ukraine, including Kyiv and beyond, according to the statement.
The drones are faster and can fly far higher than propeller-driven Shaheds, making them harder to detect and destroy before they hit targets.
The UK has already committed £1.6 billion to deliver more than 5000 LMMs to Ukraine over the next four years and will accelerate £10 million of the £45m package of missiles announced today to meet Ukraine’s most urgent winter requirements.
Ahead of the two leaders meeting today, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Our rock-solid support to Ukraine is vital for keeping us safe here in the UK and ensuring those on the frontlines have the equipment they need to push back Russia. My message to the Ukrainian people could not be clearer, we are with you for as long as it takes, and we will go further and faster in our support to back your courageous fight for peace in Europe. It is not just the right thing to do, but it’s the necessary thing to do. Russia’s aggression cannot be allowed to succeed on our continent.”
The Prime Minister has also asked Cabinet ministers to draw up further sanctions, military aid, and fiscal packages to provide urgent support in the coming weeks.