Grant Shapps makes first trip to Kyiv as Defence Secretary

Grant Shapps makes first trip to Kyiv as Defence Secretary with Zelensky appealing for help to strengthen air defences

Grant Shapps has made his first visit to Kyiv as Defence Secretary – with Volodymyr Zelensky appealing for help to strengthen air defences.

The Cabinet minister shook hands and chatted warmly to the Ukraine president in a video posted on social media.

It is the second trip to Ukraine for Mr Shapps in barely a month, after he travelled to the war-torn country as part of his previous job as Net Zero Secretary. 

In the footage posted by Mr Zelensky on the X site, he and Mr Shapps can be seen alongside military officials.

Grant Shapps has made his first visit to Kyiv as Defence Secretary – with Volodymyr Zelensky appealing for help to strengthen air defences

In the footage posted by Mr Zelensky on the X site, he and Mr Shapps can be seen alongside military officials

Mr Zelensky wrote: ‘I received UK Defence Secretary (Grant Shapps) in Kyiv.

‘I am profoundly grateful to the UK for all the financial, humanitarian, and military support, including crucial long-range capabilities.

‘We discussed further defence co-operation and steps to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence.’

Mr Shapps was appointed to the post at the end of August, having previously held a series of senior Government positions.

flew to the Ukrainian capital to further links with Kyiv and visit a children’s nursery once attended by the child he has welcomed into his home under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Mr Shapp’s trip last month promoted Ukraine’s burgeoning nuclear power supply, with the minister saying it would help end the nation’s reliance on Russian supplies.

He visited a Ukrainian power station before travelling to a children’s nursery attended by Nikita, the young son of the family he took in under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. 

Mr Shapps played a recorded message from Nikita for the children. 

The Government had announced its intention to provide a £192million loan guarantee through UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the UK’s export credit agency.

At Net Zero Secretary last month, Grant Shapps flew to the Ukrainian capital and visited the nation’s Wall of Remembrance

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