UK Pledges £2.26 Billion to Ukraine: Boosting Arms Production Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

London: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was humiliated and sent away by U.S. President Donald Trump the day before yesterday. Following this, Zelensky flew to the UK, where he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During their meeting, Starmer pledged £2.26 billion (approximately ₹24,841 crore) to support Ukraine's arms production.

Russia-Ukraine War Ongoing:
The war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its third year, shows no signs of ending. To find a resolution, President Trump recently engaged in phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Subsequently, Russian and American foreign ministers held discussions in Saudi Arabia, excluding Ukraine from the talks. This exclusion left Zelensky frustrated, as he stated Ukraine would not accept any peace agreement made without its involvement.

Tensions in the White House:
To address the situation, Trump invited Zelensky to the White House, where he emphasized that Ukraine must agree to the U.S.-led peace agreement. Trump also demanded the return of $350 billion in aid provided to Ukraine and discussed a deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare minerals. However, during a joint press conference, tensions boiled over, resulting in a heated exchange between U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Zelensky.

Zelensky accused the U.S. of abandoning Ukraine, stating, "We are left alone." Trump responded sharply, ultimately asking Zelensky to leave the White House, causing a major controversy. Following the incident, reports suggest that Trump may cease all support to Ukraine, raising concerns about how Ukraine will handle Russia's continued aggression.

Support from the UK:
In response, Zelensky flew directly to the UK, where he held talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During their discussion, Starmer reassured Zelensky that the UK would continue to support Ukraine under all circumstances. To bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, the UK extended a £2.26 billion loan for arms production.

The loan agreement was formalized with the UK's Chief Treasury Officer Rachel Reeves, UK Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, and President Zelensky signing the deal in the presence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

This financial support aims to enhance Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russian military actions, marking a significant step in the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.