The United Kingdom has pledged £1 billion in additional military support for Ukraine, financed through the use of immobilised Russian assets, according to a statement from the UK Government.
The announcement was made as Defence Secretary John Healey visited Kyiv to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov. The funding package will include advanced air defence systems, artillery ammunition, and long-range drones, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the initiative shows that Russia will ultimately pay for the destruction it has caused in Ukraine. “By using immobilised Russian assets, we are making sure the aggressor bears the cost of its aggression,” he added.
Defence Secretary Healey stressed that the UK remains committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. He underlined that the latest package comes on top of London’s existing multi-year support commitments and is part of a wider effort by allies to coordinate military aid.
The government said the move represents the first large-scale use of frozen Russian funds to directly finance Ukraine’s defence needs, setting a precedent for how Europe and its partners could sustain support in the future.
Source: UK Government press release, “£1 billion of military support for Ukraine paid for using immobilised Russian assets as Defence Secretary visits Kyiv”, 3 September 2025.
