UK to fund more $130 mln for arms to Ukraine

Following a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK will send Ukraine another £100 million ($130 million) in military aid.

Johnson claimed the two west European nations had also agreed to collaborate more closely on energy to lessen Europe’s reliance on Russian supplies, while receiving the new German chancellor for the first time at his Downing Street office.

The British prime minister also criticised a Russian attack on a train station in eastern Ukraine crowded with women, children, and the elderly escaping the conflict, which Ukrainian authorities say killed at least 39 people.

“The attack… demonstrates the depths to which Putin’s lauded army has descended,” Johnson said at a press conference. “Attacking civilians indiscriminately is a war crime, and Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine will not go unpunished.”

The station was only utilised by Ukraine’s military, according to Russia’s defence ministry, and its armed forces had no targets allocated in the city where the attack occurred on Friday.

Johnson said the UK would supply Ukraine’s armed forces high-grade military weapons, including more Starstreak anti-air missiles, a British short-range air defence system.

He also promised 800 anti-tank missiles, along with other precision-guided weapons, as well as more helmets, night vision, and body armour.

Britain imposed sanctions on two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on Friday, following a US action.

Johnson also praised Germany’s efforts to lessen its dependency on Russian oil and gas, saying the two countries would share renewable energy expertise.

“We won’t be able to overhaul our separate energy systems overnight, but we also know Putin’s war won’t be ended overnight,” Johnson added.