UK sends military equipment loan to Ukraine

The UK has made a £752 million payment to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme.

The funding will be used to support Ukraine to procure vital military equipment, including urgently needed air defence.

The loan will be paid for through the profits of sanctioned Russian sovereign assets in the EU and forms part of a wider £2.26 billion loan agreed between the Chancellor and Minister Marchenko on 1 March.

Rachel Reeves, chancellor of the exchequer said: "The world is changing before our eyes, reshaped by global instability, including Russian aggression in Ukraine.

"A strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security and this second tranche of funding will help put them in the strongest possible position, and contribute towards our collective security."

The payment forms part of the UK’s contribution to the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme, which is a G7 commitment to collectively support Ukraine through a total of $50 billion.

Defence secretary, John Healey MP said: "2025 is the critical year for Ukraine and this is the critical moment. This is the moment for our defence industries to step up, and they are; a moment for our militaries to step up, and they are; a moment for our Governments to step up, and we are.

"This new tranche of funds is part of our £4.5 billion of military support this year – more than ever before – and will be used to buy urgently needed air defence, artillery, and parts to help repair vehicles and equipment to get them back into the fight.

"We are stepping up support for Ukraine to deter Russian aggression and bolster Britain’s national security as the foundation of our Plan for Change."