Putin is 'gambling UK will lose its nerve' warns Rishi Sunak as he issues weapons rallying call

Putin launched his war in Ukraine in February 2022
Putin launched his war in Ukraine in February 2022
SPUTNIK
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 18/02/2023

- 15:43

The Prime Minister delivered the speech at the Munich security conference today

Rishi Sunak has warned that Putin has gambled the UK's support of Ukraine will falter and that NATO will lose their nerve in supporting the next phase of the war.

The Prime Minister also committed to matching or exceeding the £2.3 billion that was given to Ukraine in 2022.


Sunak said: "The United Kingdom will always be on the side of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. And the security of our European continent will always be our overriding priority.

"Now there’s no greater example of those commitments than our response to the war in Ukraine. Just this year we became the first country in the world to provide tanks to Ukraine - and the first to train pilots and marines.

"We gave £2.3 billion last year – and we will match or exceed that in 2023. Now other allies can tell a similar story – and our collective efforts are making a difference.

"But with every day that passes, Russian forces inflict yet more pain and suffering. Now the only way to change that is for Ukraine to win. So we need a military strategy for Ukraine to gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield to win the war, and a political strategy to win the peace.

The Prime Minister committed to matching or exceeding the \u00a32.3 billion that was given to Ukraine in 2022.
The Prime Minister committed to matching or exceeding the £2.3 billion that was given to Ukraine in 2022.
Oli Scarff

"To win the war, Ukraine needs more artillery, armoured vehicles and air defence. So now is the moment to double down on our military support.

"When Putin started this war, he gambled that our resolve would falter. Even now, he is betting that we will lose our nerve. But we proved him wrong then. And we will prove him wrong now."

He continued: "Together we’re delivering as much equipment in the next few months as in the whole of 2022. And together we must help Ukraine to shield its cities from Russian bombs and Iranian drones.

"And that’s why the UK will be the first country to provide Ukraine with longer-range weapons.

"And it’s why we’re working with our allies to give Ukraine the most advanced air defence systems, and build the air force they need to defend their nation."

Sunak also called for Russia to be held account for the war crimes they have committed in Ukraine.

He said: "The whole world must hold Russia to account. We must see justice through the ICC for their sickening war crimes committed, whether in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol or beyond. And Russia must also be held to account for the terrible destruction it has inflicted.

"We are hosting the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London this June. And we should consider – together – how to ensure that Russia pays towards that reconstruction.

"Now second, the treaties and agreements of the post-Cold War era have failed Ukraine. So we need a new framework for its long-term security.

"From human rights to reckless nuclear threats, from Georgia to Moldova, Russia has committed violation after violation against countries outside the collective security of NATO.

"And the international community’s response has not been strong enough .As Jens Stoltenberg has said, 'Ukraine will become a member of NATO.'

"But until that happens, we need to do more to bolster Ukraine’s long-term security. We must give them the advanced NATO-standard capabilities that they need for the future."

Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen have updated each other on their discussions with Ukraine
Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen have updated each other on their discussions with Ukraine
Jordan Pettitt

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “President of the Commission von der Leyen and Prime Minister Sunak updated one another on their discussions with President Zelensky last week. They agreed on the importance of giving Ukraine the military momentum they need to secure victory against tyranny.

“The leaders welcomed the powerful alignment in EU and UK support for Ukraine over the past year, as exemplified both by our record military and economic aid to the country, and the coordination of the most substantial and unprecedented sanctions packages in response to Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They agreed EU and UK efforts to train Ukrainian troops will make a real difference on the battlefield.

“The President and the Prime Minister expressed their confidence that the spirit of cooperation with which we have responded to Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine should also be reflected across the full range of issues the EU and the UK face together."

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