UK and Ukraine sign £2.26bn defence loan ahead of London summit
The UK and Ukraine have signed a £2.26 billion (2.74 billion euros) loan agreement to support Kyiv's defence capabilities. The deal, finalised on Saturday, comes as Western leaders gather in London for a summit on the situation in Ukraine.
British chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukrainian Finance minister Serhiy Marchenko signed the deal in a virtual ceremony attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and British PM Keir Starmer. London described the loan as a sign of its "unwavering support for the Ukrainian people".
The funds will be repaid using profits from frozen Russian assets and will help boost arms production in Ukraine, Zelensky said on Telegram, thanking the UK for its continued support.
Upcoming discussions
On Sunday, Starmer will host around 15 European and international leaders, including Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council president António Costa and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte. On Saturday, Rutte urged Zelensky to rebuild relations with Donald Trump after Friday's heated discussions at the White House.
Meanwhile, Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán has called on the EU to open negotiations with Russia, warning that he could block further aid to Ukraine. Slovak PM Robert Fico has also threatened to disrupt Thursday's EU summit, insisting that alternative approaches to the war must be considered.
Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky in London © PHOTO ZUMAPRESS
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