The United Kingdom has committed to providing £13 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.
This was announced by UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard following a meeting of defense ministers in the E5 format (Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy) in Krakow.
“We will stand with Ukraine as the United Kingdom, as the E5, and as NATO members for as long as it takes. The United Kingdom has committed more than £13 billion in military support to Ukraine. We will continue to share the technologies and experience gained on the battlefield. The Octopus interceptor, which incorporates lessons learned from the battlefield, is now being mass-produced in the United Kingdom, enabling Ukraine to shoot down drones attacking its infrastructure,” the minister said.
Pollard noted that the launch of the LEAP initiative — aimed at creating joint autonomous drones as a more affordable alternative to expensive air defense systems — for low-cost companies demonstrates that E5 meetings are delivering results, though more still needs to be done.
As Europe’s leading defense nations, representatives of the five countries are taking responsibility for their own security by developing cost-effective weapons to protect their citizens and countries, he said.
“Our first project will use advanced technologies drawn from lessons learned on the battlefield in Ukraine. In times of rising threats, it is action, not words, that will deter Putin. And that is exactly what we see here with the E5 group’s agreement on the LEAP initiative,” the UK Ministry of Defence representative added.
“Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. Next week, we will mark a somber anniversary as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year. Putin thought he would win this war in three days. He was wrong. Now he faces a stronger, more united, and larger NATO, and Ukraine continues to fight with tremendous courage,” Pollard said.
