Sunak meets Zelensky at Chequers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to the UK this week to meet with Rishi Sunak to hold aid talks.
The meeting comes as Mr Zelensky has been reiterating the need for more support during visits to several allied countries. He has visited several European leaders, calling on allies to supply warplanes ready for when Ukraine launches its long-anticipated counteroffensive.
Following the two-hour discussion, held at Chequers, Mr Sunak said the Government is “steadfast” in its support for Ukraine, while his Ukrainian counterpart thanked the British Government for its support during the war.
Just last week, the UK Government announced it would become the first country to supply long-range missiles Ukraine had requested to fight Vladimir Putin’s army.
Here, Express.co.uk looks in closer detail at all the weaponry the UK and other NATO countries have sent to Ukraine, according to the latest House of Commons Library report.
The US
The US is the largest provider of military aid, having sent the equivalent of almost £30billion since February last year. It has provided the likes of M1A2 Abrams tanks, but has ruled out sending combat aircraft for the time being.
The UK
After the US, the UK is the largest provider of military assistance, committing a total of £4.6million since the war began. Lethal weaponry has been sent such as anti-tank missiles, artillery guns, air defence systems, and three M270 long-range multiple-launch rocket systems.
At the beginning of this year, the UK revealed it would be sending 14 Challenger 2 main battle tanks, and Ukrainian soldiers later completed their Challenger 2 main battle tank training on British soil in March. Just this month, the Government announced it would be sending Storm Shadow missiles, making it the first country to provide missiles that can strike targets anywhere in the country.
Germany
Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised 14 Leopard 2A tanks to Ukraine in January and said other countries could re-export theirs. It has also delivered or committed to providing anti-tank weapons, autonomous surface vessels, self-propelled howitzers, bunker-buster missiles, multiple rocket launchers, and mobile ground surveillance among other equipment as of April this year.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic became the first NATO country to supply tanks. So far, the government — which is one of Ukraine’s largest donors of military aid — has also sent assault rifles, snipers, multiple rocket launchers, Soviet-era T-72 tanks and combat helicopters, amongst other weaponry.
Canada
Canada announced it would start providing lethal weaponry in February last year, including machine guns, pistols, carbines, 1.5million rounds of ammunition, sniper rifles and related equipment.
Earlier this year, the government announced it would buy a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile system from the US to give to Ukraine. It is also providing 200 armoured personnel carriers, and eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
Denmark
Denmark has donated its artillery systems to Ukraine and is part of the initiative along with the likes of Germany and the Netherlands that will provide 100 refurbished Leopard 1 A5 battle tanks. It has spent more than £500million in military aid for Ukraine.
Greece
The Greek government has sent the likes of ammunition, missile launchers and what have been described as “Kalashnikov-style” rifles. It has ruled out sending the German Leopard 2 tanks as they are needed for its own defence, as reported at the beginning of this year.
Croatia
Croatia has sent more than £14million worth of weapons such as rifles, machine guns and infantry weapons. However, in January of this year, the Government said it will no longer be publishing what is provided, so exact weaponry is unknown.
Belgium
Belgium has sent 2,000 machine guns, ammunition, unmanned underwater vehicles, arms packages of automatic weapons, anti-tank weapons, Lynx multi-role vehicles, trucks, air defence missiles and anti-tank missiles. All in all, it has spent more than £200million on military assistance.
Estonia
Once the war began, Estonia sent 122mm Howitzers and Javelin missiles and has since sent air defence systems and armoured vehicles as part of its £347million sent in aid to Ukraine.
France
The French government has sent anti-aircraft missiles, self-propelled howitzers, and armoured vehicles. Following Russian drone and missile attacks in October of last year, President Emmanuel Macron said it would send radar and air defence systems to Ukraine.
A number of AMX-10 armoured fighting vehicles, described as light tanks, are being sent and Leclerc main battle tanks have been promised but have reportedly not been sent yet.
Poland
Poland is the main supplier of heavy weaponry to Ukraine and has sent defensive lethal weaponry since January 2022. Among other weaponry, it has sent 200 T-72 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and anti-aircraft missiles.
Spain
The Spanish Government has re-exported its Leopard 2 main battle tanks and has previously sent the likes of anti-tank grenade launchers and military trucks.
Portugal
Portugal has sent lethal aid to Ukraine, but no details have been provided. It is due to send 14 M113 armoured vehicles and an unreported number of Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
Slovakia
Slovakia has agreed to transfer its fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 combat aircraft to Ukraine, making it the second NATO country to do so.
Slovenia
Tanks and 35 infantry fighting vehicles have been sent, but Slovenia’s focus is shifting towards humanitarian aid, the government announced last year.
Romania
Fuel, ammunition, bullet-proof vests, helmets and military equipment have been sent by Romania so far. It is also seeking to help Ukraine by acting as a transit country.
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Italy
When the war broke out, Italy sent the likes of Stinger surface-to-air missiles and Browning heavy machine guns. A second package — which includes howitzers and multi-role armoured vehicles — was agreed in May of last year and is currently being delivered.
Italy has vowed to continue sending military assistance to Ukraine with its last package inculding the SAMP-T air defence system.
Netherlands
The Netherlands sent equipment to Ukraine before Putin’s “special military operation” began. Since then, it has sent air defence missiles and reportedly further heavy weapons such as armoured vehicles and howitzers among other equipment.
North Macedonia
Several Soviet-era T-72 tanks and four non-airworthy Su-25 aircraft have been sent to Ukraine to be used for parts or to be refurbished ready to be used against Russia. Additionally, 12 Mi-24 attack helicopters are due to be sent but this is still in the pipeline.
Norway
Norway has provided over 4,000 M72 anti-tank weapons, an air defence system, 22 self-propelled artillery, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, and several armoured vehicles. Norway has also set up a five-year support programme for Ukraine.
Turkey
Turkey was the only country other than the US to provide lethal arms to Ukraine before Russia invaded. It has also sent drones but these have been described by the government as “private sales” rather than military aid.
Albania
The Albanian government confirmed last year that it would be sending aid to Ukraine. However, no details have been provided and the defence minister Niko Peleshi confirmed in January this year that more military equipment would be sent, but details were not released.
Lithuania
Lithuania has sent Stinger missiles, anti-tank weapons, body armour vests, helmets, mortars, Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, thermal imaging cameras, drones, anti-drones, and surveillance radar as part of its £395million fund for Ukraine.
Finland
Finland has sent “military protective equipment” with full details of its military assistance having been held back. However, it has promised six Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
Sweden
Sweden has sent the likes of anti-tank weapons, personal protective equipment, infantry support weapons, mine clearance equipment, combat rations, small arms, and anti-ship missile systems. Like many other countries, it is donating Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
Montenegro
Montenegro has provided military assistance but no details have been provided.
Luxembourg
Rocket-propelled grenades, 600 rockets for the BM-21 multiple launch rocket system, and machine guns have all been sent by Luxembourg as well as other equipment.
Bulgaria
Full details of Bulgaria’s support of Ukraine remain unknown but in January this year, Die Welt reported that it had secretly been providing arms, ammunition, and fuel since the war began.
Iceland
Iceland cannot donate equipment as it does not have its own armed forces. But, it has assisted in delivering equipment to Ukraine from allies.
Hungary
Hungary, which borders Ukraine, has said it will not get involved in the war by sending weapons and will not allow lethal weapons to be transported through its territory.
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