In her first trip as Foreign Secretary, Ms Cooper travelled to Kyiv, where she will meet Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s bloody advance, to hear their stories first-hand
The UK will offer support to Ukrainian families forced to flee the front line, Yvette Cooper will announce today (FRI).
In her first trip as Foreign Secretary, Ms Cooper travelled to Kyiv, where she will meet Ukrainians displaced by Russia ’s bloody advance. She is due to visit the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv, which was significantly damaged in recent Russia strikes and will also visit one of the residential buildings destroyed by Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukraine, meeting families and children to hear first-hand their traumatising experiences of living through Putin’s illegal invasion.
During the visit, Ms Cooper also announced £142 million in UK aid, supporting Ukraine through winter and into next year. £100 million will provide vital support for humanitarian assistance to help civilians in frontline communities, protect the most vulnerable and provide emergency support for those impacted by Russia’s continued attacks.
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This will include repairing critical water and heating systems, and helping to support livelihoods and jobs and strengthen Ukrainian resilience in the fourth winter of Russia’s illegal war. The UK will also pour £40million into Ukraine’s energy infrastructure which has been battered by Russia.
It comes as part of a funding promise made by the PM earlier this year to keep Ukraine in the fight against Russia and to help civilians forced to live under Vladimir Putin ’s brutal onslaught.
She said: “I have chosen to visit Ukraine in my first few days as Foreign Secretary because Ukraine’s security is crucial to the UK’s security. I am clear that the UK’s support is unwavering and stronger than ever as we know the long-term security and stability threat that Russian aggression poses not just to Ukraine, but to the whole of Europe and to all of us here in the UK.
“Through our ongoing military support, lifesaving funding announced today, the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership and our ongoing leadership of the Coalition of the Willing, we will be by Ukraine’s side to achieve a just and lasting peace, and in friendship for years to come.
“Putin’s bombardment of Ukrainian civilians, his stalling and delaying in internationally-backed peace talks, and his blatant disregard for human life must end.”
As part of her visit, she will also meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Sybiha and Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.
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