Britain ‘steadfast’ on Ukraine support: Cleverly

Britain will remain committed to supporting Ukraine under new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Minister James Cleverly told AFP on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Germany on Friday.

“I can absolutely reassure… the people of Ukraine that the prime minister is steadfast in his support for Ukraine and our assistance to the Ukrainians,” Cleverly said in a short interview.

“We will help them bring this conflict to a successful conclusion for however long that takes.”

Sunak became Britain’s third prime minister this year in late October, inheriting an economic crisis following the resignation of Liz Truss after a 49-day tenure.

After his appointment, Sunak spoke to the presidents of Ukraine and the United States to vow continuity on UK foreign policy, including ongoing support for Kyiv’s resistance following Russia’s invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also invited the British premier to visit Ukraine.

Former premier Boris Johnson had been a staunch ally of Ukraine, visiting Kyiv three times during the war and funnelling military hardware, funding and training resources to the country.

Cleverly on Friday acknowledged there had been some “political instability” in Britain but said this was “a natural by-product of the democratic process”.

“We have never been distracted from the things that really matter — protecting the poor within our own country, helping the Ukrainians defend themselves against the invasion by Russia, and helping the world’s poor feed themselves by ensuring that grain and fertiliser exports continue,” he said.

The G7’s top diplomats are in the western German city of Muenster for two days of talks, with the war in Ukraine at the top of the agenda.

The ministers on Thursday promised a winter aid package including generators, heaters, container housing, tents, beds and blankets.