UK Defence Secretary announces new defence plan for Ukraine during visit to Odessa

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Less than 48 hours after the new UK Defence Secretary John Healey took office, he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Odessa and announced a new defence aid package on 7 July.

The aid announced includes more artillery pieces, a quarter of a million rounds of ammunition and nearly 100 Brimstone precision missiles. Healey also met with his counterpart, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

“There may have been a change of government, but the UK stands united for Ukraine. As the new Defence Secretary, I will ensure we reinvigorate Britain’s support by increasing deliveries of vital military aid,” Healey said in remarks published on the UK government’s website.

“Our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people is absolute, as is our determination to confront Russian aggression and prosecute Putin for his war crimes.”

Healey’s visit was part of an event marking Ukrainian Navy Day, during which a delegation of foreign and Ukrainian officials accompanied Zelensky to Odessa to honor the sailors killed.

Healy also urged British officials to speed up an earlier defense program, scheduled for April, so that it could be delivered within 100 days. The program, worth 500 million pounds ($617 million), was the largest military aid package the U.K. had ever put together.

The Labour Party won the UK election on 5 July in a landslide victory, taking control of the government from the Conservative Party. The leaders of both parties have consistently supported Ukraine, so the election is unlikely to significantly change the UK’s position on the country.