The United Kingdom has agreed to provide Ukraine with a £2.26 billion loan to boost its defence capabilities, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko announced.
Marchenko confirmed that the loan, backed by frozen Russian assets, will be used for weapons production in Ukraine. He expressed gratitude to the UK for holding Russia accountable for the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the agreement following a meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
He described the discussion as “meaningful and warm,” emphasising that the funding would help strengthen Ukraine’s military efforts.
“This is true justice—the one who started the war must be the one to pay,” Zelensky wrote on X, acknowledging the UK’s unwavering support since the beginning of the conflict.
Starmer reiterated Britain’s commitment to Ukraine, stating, “We stand with Ukraine for as long as it may take.”
Zelensky, in turn, thanked Starmer and King Charles III, whom he is scheduled to meet.
The UK’s pledge marks a significant step in reinforcing Ukraine’s defence while leveraging frozen Russian assets to fund Kyiv’s war efforts.
