A first-rate diplomatic marathon is underway in Kiev, where the British Prime Minister and his Polish counterpart visited on Tuesday, January 2. London and Warsaw have announced the creation of a new political alliance with Ukraine.
With our correspondent in Kiev, Stephane Siohan
Boris Johnson and Mateusz Morawiecki reaffirmed their countries’ support for Ukraine, in the context of the Russian military threat hanging over its borders.
On Monday, Poland announced that, in turn, it was going to deliver defense weapons to Ukraine, in this case anti-aircraft missiles.
In recent weeks, the British have been the Ukrainians’ favorite allies. And for good reason, the United Kingdom multiplies the announcements of military and financial aid to Ukraine.
London has signed a two billion euro naval agreement with the Kiev government. The British army has already trained more than 22,000 Ukrainian soldiers. And two weeks ago she delivered 2,000 anti-tank missiles.
This Tuesday, Boris Johnson announced that he would release new aid of 105 million euros to Ukraine.
The UK and other countries will be judged by the people of Ukraine, on our response and the help given. Along with other countries, we are preparing a package of sanctions and other measures, to be put in place as soon as the first Russian troops return to the territory [ukrainien]. We will always stand up for Ukraine’s freedom, democracy and sovereignty, in the face of Russian aggression, because Ukrainians have the inalienable right to choose how they are governed and which international organizations they aspire to join.
But that’s not all. This time around, the UK goes even further. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the creation of a new format of political cooperation between Ukraine, Poland and the UK.
According to the leaders of the three capitals, this is an alliance intended to contain the actions of Russia, but also a political space aimed at developing economic and energy strategies, between countries sharing strategic interests.
Note that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are also expected in Kiev this week.
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