UK to study possibility of deploying military bases in Ukraine

The United Kingdom intends to consider the possibility of deploying military bases in Ukraine. The relevant information is spelled out in the declaration on the centennial partnership between the UK and Ukraine, published on January 16 on the website of the British government.

"Participants [of the declaration] will explore options for deploying and maintaining defense infrastructure in Ukraine, including military bases, logistics depots, military equipment reserve storage facilities and military reserve stocks," the document says.

It is noted that the facilities can be used to strengthen defense capabilities in case of a "significant military threat."

"We will also deepen cooperation in the field of long-range strikes, integrated air and missile defense and the creation of complex arsenals of weapons to support deterrence," the government specified.

In addition, according to the declaration, the UK will provide Ukraine with annual military assistance of at least £3 billion a year as long as "it will be necessary to support the country".

Earlier in the day it became known that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (term of office expired on May 20, 2024) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer concluded an agreement on strategic cooperation between the countries. At the same time, Starmer said that the UK would transfer a new air defense system (air defense system) to Ukraine.

On January 4, it was reported that Starmer intends to meet with US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington after his inauguration to convince the politician to continue supplying arms to Ukraine.

Prior to that, on December 24, 2924, the UK, together with Japan, sent Ukraine $1 billion in financial aid. On December 19, it became known that London intends to provide Kiev with a new aid package worth $286 million.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine against the background of Russia's special operation to protect Donbas, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24 February 2022 after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.