Defence Secretary reiterates UK, French support for Ukraine

The UK still intends to provide £4.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year, the largest sum to date, as part of efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and long-term security, according to Defence Secretary John Healey.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Healey said the government had “stepped up and speeded up” the delivery of military assistance.

“This year the UK will provide £4.5 billion in military support, the highest ever sum. We are fully behind President Trump’s pledge to bring a lasting peace to Ukraine, and we want to see success in today’s talks, but we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war,” he said.

Sir Ashley Fox MP (Con, Bridgwater) raised concerns over US Special Envoy comments dismissing the Prime Minister’s proposal for an international force to uphold a ceasefire in Ukraine.

“Whatever the wisdom of those remarks, does the Secretary of State see a future in which UK forces could deploy on peacekeeping operations in Ukraine without a US security guarantee?” he asked.

Healey made clear that the UK and France are leading efforts to build a coalition of nations to help secure peace in Ukraine.

“As the Chief of the Defence Staff said over the weekend, no one should doubt that the work that the UK is leading with France to pull together a coalition of nations willing to step in and help ensure lasting peace in any negotiated settlement in Ukraine is critical and substantial. The UK is determined and will lead that effort,” he said.

Focus on Drones, Air Defence, and Ammunition

Tom Rutland MP (Lab, East Worthing and Shoreham) asked whether continued support for Ukraine was vital to both European and UK security.

“Does the Secretary of State agree that it is crucial to wider European security, and to our own security here in the UK, that we continue to support Ukraine and ramp up the pressure on Putin?” he asked.

Healey confirmed that the UK’s 2025 plan for Ukraine had been developed in close coordination with Kyiv, with a focus on drones, air defences, and ammunition.

“We plan very closely with Ukraine the support we provide, and our 2025 plan to support Ukraine has been developed with the Ukrainians and reflects what they need most: drones, air defences and ammunition,” he said.

He also highlighted the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a £1.6 billion deal to supply Ukraine with over 5,000 UK-built lightweight multi-role missiles.

“That is why this month the Prime Minister announced a £1.6 billion deal to supply more than 5,000 lightweight multi-role missiles for air defence that were built in the UK, both backing the Ukrainians in their fight and boosting British jobs and business,” he said.

US Role in Any Future Security Arrangements

Sir Julian Lewis MP (Con, New Forest East) questioned whether the Trump administration might oppose or block UK efforts to support Ukraine militarily.

Healey acknowledged that US backing would be essential for any post-war security agreements, and that discussions with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had made this clear.

“The Prime Minister has made it clear that, in the context of a negotiated peace, the security arrangements or guarantees in Ukraine will need US support. I have made the same point strongly in my discussions with Secretary Hegseth,” he said.

“As Defence Secretary, my job now is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position by continuing levels of UK military aid, encouraging other nations to do more, and developing—alongside the French—plans for multinational support to maintain the long-term security of any peace in Ukraine.”