UK to send 120 armoured vehicles to Ukraine after Johnson-Zelensky meet

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during his visit to Kyiv on Saturday, vowed to provide war-torn Ukraine with armoured vehicles and anti-ship missiles to help in the fight against Russia.

“Today I met my friend President [Volodymyr Zelensky] in Kyiv as a show of our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine,” Johnson said in a tweet, with a photo of himself meeting the 44-year-old Ukrainian. It marked the first meeting between the two leaders since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

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The British Prime Minister went on to say that the meeting was a “privileged” and heaped praise on Zelensky, saying, “It is because of President Zelensky’s resolute leadership and the invincible heroism and courage of the Ukrainian people that Putin’s monstrous aims are being thwarted.”

“We’re setting out a new package of financial & military aid which is a testament of our commitment to his country’s struggle against Russia’s barbaric campaign,” he added.

Elaborating on the details of said package, 10 Downing Street released a statement after the meeting of the two leaders, announcing that the UK would supply 120 armoured vehicles to Ukraine, in addition to new anti-ship missile system to help Ukrainian forces stand up to Russia’s military might.

“This is in addition to the £100 million worth of high-grade military equipment announced yesterday, including more Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, another 800 anti-tank missiles, and high-tech loitering munitions for precision strikes,” the Downing Street statement added, highlight the UK’s latest attempts to help the war-torn eastern European country.

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Johnson further promised an additional $500 million in World Bank loans to Ukraine to help Kyiv hold off Moscow’s forces, who have reportedly regrouped to mount large-scale attacks in the contested Donbas region in the east, and southwestern Ukraine where the strategic port city of Mariupol lies.

“This comes alongside the £394m the UK has provided in grant aid, and will help ensure the continued running of vital humanitarian services for Ukrainians,” said Downing Street, commenting on Johnson’s guarantee of $500 million in World Bank funds.