Four years after Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in what many believed would be a short, decisive assault, Britain is reinforcing its commitment with a significant new package of military, humanitarian and reconstruction support.
As the war enters its fifth year, the Government has made clear that Ukraine’s defence is directly linked to Britain’s own national security. Ministers say continued backing for Kyiv will not only help secure a just and lasting peace, but also strengthen security across Europe.
Prime Minister Leads Coalition Efforts
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is today convening a call of the Coalition of the Willing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, following their joint declaration in January with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlining the UK’s intention to deploy British troops to Ukraine once peace is secured.
Preparatory work is already under way. A 70-person headquarters for the proposed Multinational Force for Ukraine is operational, supported by £200 million in Government funding to ready UK forces.
Marking the anniversary, the Prime Minister said Britain’s message to the Ukrainian people was simple: the UK stands with them “stronger than ever” and will continue its support for as long as it takes. He described the conflict as the defining security challenge of the age, insisting Russia is not winning the war and will not prevail.
Foreign Secretary Highlights ‘Russification’ Tactics
In Kyiv, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is attending official commemorations and is expected to condemn what she describes as Russia’s attempts to erase Ukrainian identity in the Temporarily Occupied Territories in eastern Ukraine.
According to the Government, civilians in these regions are being forced to accept Russian passports, prohibited from speaking Ukrainian, cut off from Ukrainian media, and detained on arbitrary charges for expressions of pro-Ukrainian sentiment. Allegations also include the deportation and indoctrination of children and the use of disinformation within the education system.
The Foreign Secretary said Russia “can and must end this war” and reaffirmed that the UK will continue standing with Ukraine in pursuit of a just and lasting peace.
She will also announce £30 million in funding aimed at strengthening Ukrainian societal resilience and supporting justice and accountability efforts for victims and survivors of alleged Russian war crimes.
Defence Secretary Marks Anniversary in London
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary John Healey is visiting the Ukrainian Cathedral in London to meet members of the Ukrainian community who have sought refuge in the UK since the invasion began.
Alongside Bishop Nowakowski and the Ukrainian Ambassador, he will light a candle in memory of those who have lost their lives in the conflict.
Mr Healey said that four years after Putin sought to erase Ukraine as a sovereign nation, Britain remains steadfast in its support. He paid tribute to those on the frontline, the families mourning loved ones and the millions displaced, adding that he is determined to make 2026 the year the war ends.
Details of the New Support Package
The package announced today includes:
- £20 million in emergency energy funding to repair and protect Ukraine’s energy grid following sustained Russian attacks over the winter and to boost generation capacity ahead of next winter. This brings total UK energy support since the start of the invasion to more than £490 million.
- £5.7 million in humanitarian assistance for frontline communities, evacuation efforts and those affected by airstrikes or displacement. The United Nations and its partners are targeting 4.1 million people across Ukraine, prioritising those facing the most severe conditions. In 2025, the UK was the largest donor to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.
- Medical mentoring programmes, with British military surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists working alongside Ukrainian clinicians in Ukraine, sharing expertise in trauma and battlefield surgery to help injured service personnel return to duty or rebuild civilian lives.
- Helicopter instructor training, with Ukrainian pilots training at a UK air base to become helicopter flying instructors, the first time Britain has provided rotary-wing instructor training to Ukraine. Graduates will train the next generation of Ukrainian military aviators.
The announcement follows substantial military assistance revealed earlier this month, including £500 million in air defence support and the provision of 1,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles produced in Belfast to help defend against Russia’s continued drone attacks.
Four years after the invasion began, the conflict remains Europe’s most pressing security challenge. The UK Government’s position is clear: continued support for Ukraine is essential to achieving a just and lasting peace, and to safeguarding Britain’s own security.
