Sunak asserts Britain's security agreement with Ukraine "will be an argument for the US"
Photo: Associated Press
Prime Minister of Great Britain Rishi Sunak believes that the security agreement signed with Ukraine will be an argument for the United States of America in supporting the war-torn country.
He stated this in an interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV.
When asked if Britain would be able to defend itself if Russia "turns its guns" in its direction, Sunak replied: "Yes."
He added that his first task is to protect every citizen of his country.
"Unfortunately, the world is becoming less safe. We can see it in the situation between Russia and Ukraine or the events in the Red Sea," the minister said, noting that this is why Britain has increased defense spending this year.
Sunak stated:
"Are we well protected, or have we invested well (in defense – ed.)? Yes. We are the second largest defense spender in NATO. As you can see from what we have done in Ukraine, we will stand up for what we believe. We will not allow aggression to go unpunished and unchecked."
Regarding British support for Ukraine and the critical situation with help from the US, he noted:
"It was important for me to show Britain's leadership. This year, I was the first foreign leader to sign a significant agreement with Ukraine. This will be an argument for the US that they can count on us as allies and will not shoulder the entire burden alone. I think so it will be easier to win the dispute in the US."
The head of the British government noted that Putin failed to separate the allies in NATO, and the countries of the Alliance began to allocate more funds for defense; in addition, new members joined it.
"So, strategically, this is already a failure for him (Putin – ed.). Because he did not achieve any of his goals, and we are now in a much stronger position to resist further aggression from his side," Sunak emphasized.
As previously reported by Rubryka, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, signed an agreement in the field of security between Ukraine and Great Britain.
In particular, the agreement provides for:
- defense and military cooperation,
- maritime safety,
- cooperation in the field of defense industry,
- protection of critical infrastructure,
- political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation,
- cooperation in the event of a future armed attack.
The main components of the security commitments provided to Ukraine by the United Kingdom in the agreement are the following:
- providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine for the protection and restoration of territorial integrity in its internationally recognized borders, including the territorial sea and free economic (maritime) zone, reconstruction of the national economy, and protection of its citizens;
- preventing and active deterrence and counteraction of any military escalation and/or new aggression by the Russian Federation;
- supporting Ukraine's future integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions, in particular by supporting Ukraine's reform plans and compatibility with NATO.
In the meantime, Zelensky and Sunak had opposing views on whether the agreement could be considered "security guarantees" from Britain.
