KABUL (Pajhwok): Britain and France have pledged stronger military support for Ukraine, including access to classified technology and faster deliveries of air-defence missiles, as Kyiv marked the 35th anniversary of independence, Reuters reported.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, making his first foreign visit since taking office last month, attended a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” in Kyiv and urged allies to “do everything we can” to strengthen Ukraine’s defences against Russian air strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the resilience of his people after more than four years of war, while reiterating that Ukraine wanted peace but would not surrender.
“Ukraine absolutely wants peace, but it is not ready to simply surrender,” Zelenskiy said, adding that Russia would not end its aggression even if Ukraine accepted its demands for more territory in the east.
Wearing a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt, Zelenskiy thanked foreign leaders for travelling to Kyiv to demonstrate their support on the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union.
Standing alongside Zelenskiy and European Council President Antonio Costa, Burnham said choosing Kyiv for his first foreign visit demonstrated the importance he attached to supporting Ukraine’s defence.
“We are with you in this struggle all the way, heart and soul,” Burnham said, while vowing to maintain support despite what he called Russia’s “outrageous threats” against Britain.
“This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia. The moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war,” Burnham said, calling for additional economic sanctions.
Britain announced Monday that it would give Kyiv access to classified technology to enable Ukraine to begin producing Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles domestically. The missiles are capable of striking targets deep inside Russia.
France has already approved licensing the technology for the European-made missile.
The Kremlin, however, said the use of classified British technology would “add fuel to the fire” of deteriorating relations between London and Moscow. Russia had warned Britain last week of “consequences” over its supply of drones to Ukraine.
Separately, dozens of countries issued a joint statement at the United Nations in New York reaffirming their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and urging Russia to accept an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire.
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