Zelensky: Britain to provide Ukraine with additional £10 billion in support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call on Wednesday, 28 October, with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and announced that London will provide Ukraine with additional financial assistance of £10 billion, or €11.9 billion. He shared the news on Telegram, as reported by the outlet European Pravda. The pledge comes as Ukraine's 2027 budget faces a funding gap and the European Union is asking partner countries to increase their aid.

How the aid is divided

According to Zelensky, £7 billion is earmarked for economic support over the next three years. A further £3 billion is British export support intended mainly for supplying the weapons Ukraine needs. The president stressed that this is on top of the annual support Britain already gives Ukraine.

Zelensky thanked Britain for its steadfast backing and called the decision a very timely step. In his view, it should show Russia that Ukraine will not be left alone. He added that every move to strengthen Ukraine brings Russia closer to the conclusion that it must end this war.

Sanctions on Russia

The conversation with the British prime minister also covered sanctions policy against Russia. Zelensky emphasised that Britain remains firm on the issue of sanctions against Moscow.

The budget shortfall

It was previously reported that the European Union had appealed to international partners such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Norway to step up their efforts and provide Ukraine with extra funding. The European Commission has acknowledged that Ukraine's 2027 budget is indeed short by €70 billion, which must be covered by international partners. At the EU leaders' summit on 15–16 October, the European Council tasked the European Commission with preparing proposals to close this gap in Ukraine's 2027 budget.