The British Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps met with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
Shapps travelled to Kyiv with the UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
Shortly after his arrival in Kyiv, Shapps reiterated the UK’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine with a post on the social media platform X.
During the meeting between Zelenskyy and Shapps, Zelenskyy thanked the UK for its significant financial, defenсe and humanitarian support of Ukraine in the time of war.
“On behalf of the whole nation, I thank you for everything you are doing for us. We are grateful for your help – military, financial, humanitarian. We greatly appreciate that we can rely on you.”
Volodymyr Zelenkyy
In addition, Zelenskyy lauded the level of cooperation with the United Kingdom in the defence sector, which allows the Ukrainian army to significantly expand its capabilities on the battlefield, in particular by means of long-range weapons.
Zelenskyy and Shapps discussed the issue of bolstering Ukraine’s air defence, which is particularly important in the run-up to the winter season.
They also praised the adoption by the Group of Seven at the NATO Summit in Vilnius of a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine and the start of negotiations with the UK on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine.
Shapps noted that it was “an honour to meet President Zelenskyy in Kyiv to assure him that the UK will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, as we have since Putin illegally invaded Crimea nearly ten years ago.”
“We have trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, delivered hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, and provided millions of pounds of economic and humanitarian aid to help Ukraine’s citizens reclaim and rebuild what has been taken from them by Putin’s barbaric invasion.
“Having heard the experiences of so many Ukrainians affected by this war, including a family I hosted in my home for a year, I am committed to maintaining the UK’s military support – particularly as the freezing winter weather approaches.”
Grant Shapps
The British Defence Secretary previously visited Kyiv last month in his former role as Energy Security Secretary to discuss support for Ukraine’s recovery, visiting a children’s nursery previously attended by one of the Ukrainian children he hosted in his home.
On his part, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, UK Chief of the Defence Staff, said, “It was a privilege to accompany the Defence Secretary to Kyiv and to meet with President Zelenskyy to underscore the continuity of the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine.”
He disclosed, “We discussed new commitments of military aid that were made in Ramstein last week, which will help build Ukraine’s strength and resilience through the winter and beyond.”
“The recent strikes on the Black Sea Fleet are another example of how Ukraine retains the initiative,” he added.
“Putin has lost control of the war he started, and Russia is diminished as a consequence.
“This visit, together with my visits over the summer, have reinforced my conviction that Ukraine will prevail. The UK will remain with them every step of the way.”
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin
Shapps Meets Umerov
Also, The British Defence Secretary met Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov.
Shapps made a personal commitment to continue the UK’s resolute support to Ukraine as they reclaim land taken following Putin’s illegal invasion.
Umerov said on X, “Important visit of my colleague @GrantShapps to Kyiv. Thanked our British friends for unwavering support for Ukraine.”
He wrote, “Briefed on current battlefield situation and urgent needs. Focus on air defence, artillery, anti-drone systems.”
“Winter is coming but we are ready. Stronger together,” Umerov added.
Like Shapps, Umerov is a recent appointee to his role.
The two Defence Ministers first met in Ramstein, Germany, during a meeting of 50 nations at last week’s Ukraine Defence Contact Group.
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