On first worldwide journey, Britain’s Truss pledges Ukraine help By Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Liz Truss will pledge at a UN summit to satisfy or exceed the two.3 billion kilos ($2.6 billion) of navy assist spent on Ukraine in 2002 within the subsequent yr, doubling down on her help for Kyiv after Russia’s invasion.

Truss, on her first worldwide go to as prime minister, will name on different leaders on the UN Basic Meeting in New York to assist finish Russia’s vitality stranglehold on Europe, saying it has allowed too many lives to be “manipulated”.

Her journey to New York, simply hours after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, is the primary occasion in a busy return of British politics, placed on maintain throughout a interval of nationwide mourning for the late monarch.

It marks the beginning of a packed week for Britain’s new prime minister, when her authorities is anticipated to set out a brand new vitality help package deal for companies, a plan to assist the Nationwide Well being Service and much-promised tax cuts.

In New York, the place Truss will meet U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday, the British chief will once more pledge her help to Ukraine, which she says has managed to push again Russian forces with the assistance of Western navy assist.

“My message to the individuals of Ukraine is that this: the UK will proceed to be proper behind you each step of the best way. Your safety is our safety,” she stated in a press release earlier than her speech to the summit, which begins on Thursday.

“Too many lives – in Ukraine, in Europe and around the globe – are being manipulated by a dependence on Russian vitality,” she added. “We have to work collectively to finish this as soon as and for all.”

Britain stated it was the second-largest navy donor to Ukraine, committing 2.3 billion kilos in 2022, and that help subsequent yr could be decided by the Ukrainian military’s wants, though it’s anticipated to incorporate gear similar to rocket artillery methods.

Tradition minister Michelle Donelan informed Sky Information that the aim of the journey to New York was “to not safe a commerce deal”, though it is perhaps mentioned on the Biden assembly.

Britain had seen a commerce take care of the USA as one of many greatest prizes of leaving the European Union however hopes of a fast settlement have been dashed when the Biden administration made clear it was not a precedence.

($1 = 0.8748 kilos)