£200m to prepare troops for Ukraine

THE UK will spend £200 million preparing British troops for deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, the Defence Secretary has announced.

- CHRISTOPHER MCKEON

John Healey was speaking after a one-day visit to Kyiv on Friday, where he discussed plans for the Multinational Force Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The money will pay for upgrades to vehicles and communications systems, counter-drone protection and other equipment to ensure troops are ready to deploy.

Mr Healey said: "We are surging investment into our preparations following the Prime Minister's announcement this week, ensuring that Britain's armed forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK."

After the meeting Mr Zelensky said he was "grateful" for the UK's support, adding: "It is crucial that the framework for ending the war includes a clear response from the allies should Russian aggression be repeated."