Britain’s new Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced £142 million in aid for Ukraine during her first official visit to Kyiv, stressing that “Ukraine’s security is the UK’s security.”
The package, aimed at repairing energy infrastructure and supporting civilians through the winter, comes as Russia steps up strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
First Trip Abroad as Foreign Secretary
Choosing Kyiv as her first overseas destination, Cooper said the UK’s commitment to Ukraine remained “unwavering and stronger than ever.”
“I have chosen to visit Ukraine in my first few days as Foreign Secretary because Ukraine’s security is crucial to the UK’s security,” she said. “We know the long-term threat Russian aggression poses not just to Ukraine, but to the whole of Europe and to all of us in the UK.”
Cooper’s schedule included meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. She also toured the Cabinet of Ministers building, damaged in a recent strike, and visited a residential block hit by Russian missiles, meeting families displaced by the war.
Funding for Energy and Humanitarian Needs
The Foreign Secretary announced a £142m package designed to help Ukraine withstand another difficult winter.
- £100m will go towards humanitarian support, repairing heating and water systems in frontline communities, protecting vulnerable civilians, and supporting livelihoods.
- £42m will be used to repair electricity networks and strengthen gas and power facilities against renewed Russian attacks.
Officials said the aid was vital to help Ukrainians keep warm and access clean water as Moscow escalates strikes on energy infrastructure.
Rising Security Concerns
Her visit came days after Russia violated NATO airspace over Poland, sparking alarm across Europe. UK officials described it as a fresh sign of Moscow’s disregard for sovereignty and international law.
Cooper said the episode highlighted why Western support for Ukraine must not falter. “Putin’s bombardment of civilians, his stalling in peace talks, and his blatant disregard for human life must end,” she said.
She framed the conflict as directly tied to Britain’s security, adding: “Ukraine’s security is crucial to the UK’s national security, which is central to the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.”
Meetings With Ukraine’s Leadership
In her discussions with Zelenskyy and his ministers, Cooper reaffirmed Britain’s backing through military assistance, humanitarian aid, and long-term cooperation under the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.
Talks with Foreign Minister Sybiha also laid the groundwork for a Strategic Dialogue between London and Kyiv, expected to culminate in a meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Zelenskyy later this year.
Britain’s Role in the War
The UK has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, providing military training, advanced weapons, and billions in financial and humanitarian aid.
It has also imposed sweeping sanctions on Russian oligarchs, banks and companies, while pressing for accountability over alleged war crimes.
With the war now in its fourth year, however, the government has faced pressure to justify the scale of its commitments. Cooper sought to make the case that defending Ukraine is not only a moral duty but a matter of national interest.
A Harsh Winter Ahead
Ukraine is preparing for another brutal winter under bombardment. Last year, Russian attacks left millions without heating and electricity in freezing temperatures. Aid groups have warned of similar risks this year, as Moscow targets the energy grid once again.
The UK’s funding is designed to bolster Ukraine’s ability to withstand those attacks, keeping basic services running for civilians and limiting the humanitarian fallout.
The Push for Peace
Despite international mediation, peace talks remain stalled, with Western diplomats accusing Moscow of using delay tactics while continuing its offensive.
Cooper said the UK would keep pressing for a “just and lasting peace” but insisted this could only be achieved if Russia ended its aggression. “Through our military support, lifesaving funding, and enduring partnership, we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes,” she said.
Key Takeaway
Yvette Cooper’s visit to Kyiv, her first as Foreign Secretary, highlighted Britain’s message that defending Ukraine is vital to Europe’s wider security. With £142m in fresh aid and continued diplomatic backing, the UK is seeking to reinforce its role as one of Kyiv’s most steadfast allies ahead of another difficult winter.
