United to win: Ukraine and UK sign credit agreement to boost defense projects

Ukraine and Great Britain have reached an agreement to enhance their defense capabilities. The agreement entails the provision, repair, and production of weapons.

The Office of the President reports this.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and British Defense Minister John Healey, in the presence of President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, signed the official credit support agreement to develop Ukraine's defense capabilities.

The document will make it possible to start Ukrainian-British defense projects. It is, in particular, about:

• supply,
• setting up repairs,
• partial production of air defense systems, armored vehicles, and ammunition.

According to the agreement, British suppliers can make credit agreements and contracts with Ukraine for 2 billion pounds sterling (equivalent to over 2.5 billion dollars).

This amount is not final and may be increased in the future.

The loan repayment period is 15 years.

Thanks to this, by 2026, in particular, it will be possible to:

• provide the Defense Forces with anti-aircraft defense systems and means of radar location and destruction;
• acquire technologies and master the partial production of barrels, spare parts, and components for artillery installations and Western-style armored vehicles.

Due to the need for rapid capability development and the high cost of defense projects, Ukraine cannot currently finance them from its state budget.

"This agreement will reduce the burden on the state budget and allow in the short term to obtain the necessary weapons for the defense of our state, primarily in the field of air defense," Rustem Umerov said.

The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that a joint commission made up of representatives of both governments will exercise control over the use of funds.

Photo: president.gov.ua

For reference:

As reported, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, arrived in Great Britain on Thursday, July 18, to attend the summit of the European Political Community.

Rubryka also reported that the King of Great Britain, Charles III, met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, at Blenheim Palace on the sidelines of the summit of the European Political Community.

Zelensky's first meeting with the new Prime Minister of Great Britain, Keir Starmer, took place on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington last week.

In addition, Zelensky took part in an extraordinary meeting of the British government.

Volodymyr Zelensky became the first foreign guest on Downing Street since Starmer was elected as the new prime minister. During Zelensky's visit, the Prime Minister of Great Britain promised to double support for Ukraine.