Eagle Flies In To Offer Defence Boost To Ukraine

A British government minister flew to Ukraine to help start negotiations for new contracts for weapons and equipment provided by UK firms.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle joined industry bigwigs in a visit to the war-torn country in recent days to start talks about deals to be struck under the Defence Export Support Treaty.

The accord, signed between Defence Secretary John Healey and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on July 19 during signed during President Zelenskyy’s visit to the UK, will see Ukraine having access to a £3.5 billion export finance fund to purchase military equipment from UK firms.

The deal will boost Ukraine's military capabilities while also providing a welcome shot in the arms to both countries' defence industries.

As per an MoD press release published on Tuesday, during her visit the minister met Serhiy Boyev, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries for European Integration, and the Ukrainian National Armaments Director Oleksandr Serhii; she was also given a tour of some of the UK's industrial facilities in Ukraine.

Ms Eagle commented: “The UK stands united with Ukraine. Our government has already pledged to step up support, confirming £3bn a year to support Ukraine and a new package of crucial ammunition, anti-armour missiles and artillery guns.

“My visit is another demonstration of our commitment to work in partnership with industry to boost production of essential military kit, both for Ukraine and to replenish UK stocks.”