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• The UK鈥檚 immediate support for Ukraine and the longer-term partnership between our two countries both top of the agenda in Foreign Secretary鈥檚 visit to Kyiv.聽

• New UK support totalling 拢55m will boost resilience and growth in the UK and Ukraine.

Visiting Kyiv today, David Lammy will see first-hand how UK support is putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position as it enters its fourth year of Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion.聽

Delivering on commitments made to President Zelenskyy by Prime Minister Keir Starmer two weeks ago, the UK is providing 拢3 million for deliveries of Ukrainian grain and other food produce to Syria.聽聽

Working with the World Food Programme, this planned support will provide a lifeline to the most vulnerable in Syria unlike Russian grain supplies to the brutal Assad regime which attempted to buy favour, loading costly debt on the Syrian state.聽

These malign efforts from Russia often likely used produce from illegally occupied Ukrainian land. Russia is estimated to be taking 4.3 million tonnes of grain each year from temporarily occupied territories. It comes after the Prime Minister announced a new Grain Verification Scheme to track stolen grain from occupied Ukrainian territories last month. The UK developed the new scheme following an ask from Ukraine to the G7 to help trace snatched grain from Ukraine fields under Russian control, which is then relabelled and sold on.聽

Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian port infrastructure and ships in the Black Sea, delaying vital food and aid from reaching the global south. These attacks hinder food supplies from reaching the most in need and help drive up food and fuel prices around the world.聽

However, Ukraine鈥檚 navy continues to fight back, having destroyed or damaged roughly one quarter of the Black Sea Fleet鈥檚 major combatant vessels, denying Russia control of the western Black Sea.聽聽

As part of the Foreign Secretary鈥檚 visit, he will meet with President Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Sybiha, Prime Minister Shmyhal, and Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna, to reiterate the UK鈥檚 ongoing support and discuss first-hand how the UK and international partners can put Ukraine into the strongest position possible.聽

In his second official visit to Kyiv, Mr Lammy will announce 拢17 million for innovative energy projects to support the recovery and sustainability of Ukraine鈥檚 energy system. The InnovateUkraine competition will spur collaborations between British, Ukrainian and international businesses and research institutions to find the resilient, scalable and sustainable energy solutions of the future.聽聽

Despite relentless Russian attacks on their energy system, Ukrainians have shown that with the right support and international collaboration, they can use ingenuity and innovation to keep the lights on and defend themselves against Russia鈥檚 illegal invasion. Producing clean, reliable and affordable energy is a vital part of the struggle for Ukraine鈥檚 freedom and its defense against Russian attempts to use energy as a weapon.聽聽

Shoring up Ukraine鈥檚 private sector and the resilience of small and medium businesses, the new economic recovery programme, announced by the Prime Minister as part of the 100 Year Partnership, will receive a 拢10 million boost to help renew, rebuild and reform Ukraine鈥檚 economy for the future.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

Our support for Ukraine remains unbreakable. We are determined to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, both in its fight against Russia and beyond, with our long-term relationship cemented by the 100 Year Partnership.聽

We believe in building for the future between our two countries, as well as supporting Ukraine in the present, as Russia鈥檚 barbaric and relentless attacks on vital infrastructure, communities, and businesses continue. That is why we are announcing more support for innovation in Ukraine, to rebuild a more resilient and sustainable society for years to come.聽

Delivering change at home, against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile world, means we must bolster the resilience of our partners.

A further 拢25 million of UK funding will support Ukraine to strengthen more inclusive, effective and efficient social systems and services. We will work with Ukraine to revitalise family and community-based services that meet the needs of women, children, people with disabilities and marginalised groups and ensure a safe and loving family for every child.聽聽

The UK鈥檚 SPIRIT programme will bolster Ukraine鈥檚 resilience against Russian aggression by helping Ukraine build a more resilient, prosperous and barrier-free future for all.聽

Announcements made today will open up opportunities for British business, by harnessing UK expertise, creating trade and investment opportunities, and building links between the UK and Ukraine for years to come.聽

Support announced today builds on the UK鈥檚 strong record as a leading bilateral donor, having committed 拢977 million in support, including 拢477 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the region since the start of the full-scale invasion. We will provide 拢282 million in support for 2024-25, in addition to the Prime Minister鈥檚 commitment to provide 拢3billion of military support to Ukraine, this year and for as long as it takes.

Background

• More information on the UK鈥檚 support to Ukraine can be found here

• More information on the 100 Year Partnership can be found here

• The UK provided 拢35 million in emergency support for energy and most vulnerable in Ukraine in December