During a statement to the House of Commons, Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, provided an update on the UK’s ongoing support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia enters its third year.
Highlighting the importance of 2025, Pollard confirmed that the UK will continue to provide critical military and financial assistance to bolster Ukraine’s resilience and strengthen its defence capabilities.
“2025 will be a critical year for the war,” Pollard stated, noting that President Zelenskyy has set out a detailed Victory Plan. The plan focuses on “timely and effective military support, security guarantees, long-term deterrence, and rebuilding Ukraine by unleashing the country’s economic potential.”
Pollard also echoed Zelenskyy’s desire for a “just peace from a position of strength.”
Looking ahead, Pollard detailed several initiatives that the UK will lead in 2025, aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s military readiness and long-term defence industry. The UK will significantly increase military support, with a new £225 million package, which includes “£186 million of key military equipment,” through the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine.
This will include advanced reconnaissance drones, uncrewed surface vessels, loitering munitions, and mine countermeasure drones, as well as air defence equipment including new radars and counter-drone electronic warfare systems. “Our stepped-up military support package includes £39 million to deliver 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems, together with respirators and equipment, to protect Ukrainian frontline forces,” Pollard confirmed.
On training, Pollard stressed that the UK will continue to “train thousands more Ukrainian troops” as part of Operation Interflex, the multinational programme involving 12 partner nations. Since the conflict began, over 51,000 Ukrainian troops have already benefited from this vital training. Pollard noted that this effort is a clear message to Putin that Ukraine “does not stand alone.”
Pollard also highlighted the UK’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s defence industrial base, which he sees as a “powerful deterrent against Russia.” He stressed that the UK is working to “reinforce Ukraine’s defence industry as a powerful asset for Euro-Atlantic security.” This is part of the Defence Industrial Support Treaty signed with Ukraine in July, and the UK has made £3.5 billion of export finance available to purchase military capabilities.
Pollard stressed the need for sustained diplomatic pressure on Russia, noting that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) to maximise the impact of UK defence support, including sanctions aimed at denying Russia the resources necessary to continue its war effort. Pollard said, “We will continue to coordinate these sanctions with like-minded allies around the world to deny Russia’s war machine of the goods, technologies and revenues it needs to sustain its illegal war.”
As the House of Commons broke for Christmas, Pollard’s statement concluded with a solemn reminder of the suffering that continues in Ukraine. “Many are facing a Christmas and New Year of ongoing assault and aerial bombardment, of their frontline, their homes, their towns, their cities and their critical energy infrastructure.” He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment, stating that “our resolve will not falter” in the year ahead.
“This is the surest route to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Pollard concluded.
Reports that the North Koreans took 1,000 casualties in the last week. The Russian’s and their own commanders using them as nothing more than cannon fodder. Hopefully this ends in 2025.
Unless the russians give up and pull out of Ukraine and take whats left of the north koreans with them then I do not think it will end in 2025…
Military and financial assistance must continue and increase!
The fundraisers done by all the battalions and brigades, and NAFO are never ending!!
As JIM says above, wave after wave on the russians and north koreans are taking a beating with heavy losses in men and equipment (conformed via geo location and various sources inluding video footage and reports) , but they are still managing to make gains in territory!
A Ukrainian counter attack must happen in 2025!
Ukes attack with what? They are on a drip feed.
I fear 2025 will see the end of Ukrainian efforts to retake their country from Putins invaders. Between their own resolve being tested by time, Russia’s slow grinding costly move forwards and the removal of US support, I just can’t see how they can do much else than have to give up what they’ve lost for the foreseeable future. Depressing, but a very possible outcome.
The issue then for the rest of Ukraine, Moldova and ultimately the rest of Europe, is how quickly Putin can regroup and go again whilst the US shrugs its huge shoulder(pads).
Phil, the withdrawal of US support from UKR is not totally a ‘given’. Trump could maintain or even ramp up support if Putin does not enter into peace negotiations with serious intent.
Maybe but them T likes to keep everyone guessing and then does whatever he feels like. In theory he cannot run for office again so probably won’t care what the american people think. Things could get interesting.
Couple of points
1) the equipment supplied is good, I full agree with ongoing support but can we please fund it directly from the treasury instead of raiding the MoD coffers.
2) I think the war could end in 2025 with the collapse of the Russian economy.
If we want this war to end sooner & successfully for UKR & the rest of Europe we need to up our support & provide our own forces to defeat Rusian forces within UKR. For all we’re doing it is not deterring Putin one bit. For all the acheivements of UKR’s forces, we’re only providing barely enough for them to survive, but for how much longer can they last without far gretaer commitment from her friends? Funny how the minister expects UKR to deal from a position of strength while we look like even further cutting our apallingly weak forces. The only message we’ve given our enemies is if they wait long enough we’ll disarm far further than they could ever hope for.
Gas and leccy went up again today. Happy new year, hope your parents make it through this winter.