Britain will send £2.3 billion of military aid to Ukraine in 2023 – matching this year’s contribution – to help it end Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion.
Prime Minister Liz Truss made the pledge as she flew to New York for the UN General Assembly meeting.
It came hours before Vladimir Putin warned he is ‘not bluffing’ about his willingness to use nuclear weapons against the West.
In his biggest TV speech since he sent troops to invade Ukraine, the Russian leader announced a partial military mobilisation.
More than 1,300 protesters have been arrested after it was confirmed around 300,000 army reservists will be ordered to fight in Ukraine.
Ms Truss is urging world leaders to end their dependence on Russian fuel.
‘By turning off the taps of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, Putin has consigned millions of people in Europe to a colder more difficult winter,’ she said before heading to the US.
‘Too many lives are being manipulated by a dependence on Russian energy. We need to end this once and for all.’
She added that Kyiv’s recent victories ‘defied the doubters and showed what they can do when given the military, economic and political support they need’.
Praising Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska she added: ‘The UK will be behind you every step of the way. Your security is our security.’
Gen Sir Richard Shirreff, Nato’s former deputy supreme allied commander in Europe, praised the cash pledge but urged allies to significantly increase defence spending.
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