Sunak says now is the time to double down on military support to Ukraine
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged world leaders to supply Ukraine now with the most advanced weapons in order to secure its long-term future.
Sunak said at the Munich Security Conference that Ukraine’s allies should provide it with “advanced NATO capabilities”. Adding that now is the time to double military support to Ukraine.
During the conference, Ukraine’s allies confirmed their position in defense of it.
The conference is seen as a major test of Western support for Ukraine against Russia, as both sides prepare for an offensive next spring.
The conference, which will last for three days, will discuss global security issues. Its convening comes just before the first anniversary of the beginning of the comprehensive Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s allies are trying to show their resolve to the Russian government and convince it that they will not despair or surrender, no matter what it costs them in terms of “blood and money” in the coming months.
Most of those who attended the Munich conference – from heads of state and prime ministers to diplomats and intelligence officials – are from Europe and the United States, including US Vice President Kamala Harris and about 30 European heads of government. While no Russian officials were invited to attend.
Sunak had stated his desire to “make sure that other countries follow Britain’s example” in providing Ukraine with combat tanks, and training soldiers and pilots on aircraft with NATO capabilities.
In his speech in Germany, the British Prime Minister said that “Ukraine needs more artillery, armored vehicles and air defenses, as now is the time to double our military support to Kiev.”
Sunak added, “When Putin started this war, he bet that our resolve would fail. Until now, he (Putin) is betting that we will lose our composure.. But we disappointed him at the beginning and we will disappoint him now.”
The British Prime Minister called for a new NATO charter in order to secure long-term support for Ukraine. In that, Sunak said that Kiev’s allies “must show that they will stay with the Ukrainians and that they are willing and able to help them defend their country again and again.”
Sunak went on to say that in addition to adopting a military strategy aimed at “achieving decisive superiority on the battlefield,” the allies need to “rebuild the international order on which our collective security depends.”
The British Prime Minister said that international law needs to be upheld in order to hold Russia accountable.
Sunak also called for a “new framework” for Ukraine’s long-term security, saying the international community’s response was not strong enough in the face of Russia’s aggression.
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Ahead of his speech to the conference, Sunak met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and both sides agreed on the need to maintain “the record level of international support for Ukraine”, a British government spokesman said.
In a meeting held on the sidelines of the conference, Sunak agreed with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on “the importance of providing Ukraine with the military momentum it needs to secure its victory over tyranny,” according to a British government spokesman’s statement.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited London, Paris and Brussels, where Zelensky appealed to European leaders to provide his country with modern combat aircraft.