Britain says it is ready to provide Ukraine with additional military support, including lethal defensive weapons, and major loan guarantees to help Kyiv “weather the storm of Russian aggression.”
"In light of the increasingly threatening behavior from Russia and in line with our previous support, the U.K. will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament on February 23.
“This will include lethal aid in the form of defensive weapons and nonlethal aid," he added.
Britain and its prime minister have been among the most vocal in the West in condemning Russian actions, supporting Ukraine, and slapping sanctions on Moscow.
On February 22, Johnson named five Russian banks and three wealthy Russian businessmen whom Britain hit with sanctions and said his government would bar Russia companies from using clearing services in British pounds and U.S. dollars. It will also stop Russia selling sovereign debt in London, a key market for such instruments.
Earlier on February 23, the British Foreign Office said it will provide up to $500 million in loan guarantees to Kyiv under Multilateral Development Bank lending for projects to support economic stability and reforms, including tackling corruption.
Western nations, while supporting Ukraine, have long urged Kyiv to clamp down on corruption and carry out other reforms such as improving the rule of law.
"We are putting our money where our mouth is and using Britain’s economic expertise and strength to support the people of Ukraine,” Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.
“These guarantees can help inject vital capital into Ukraine and help its economy weather the storm of Russian aggression," added Truss, who said a Russian invasion of Ukraine appears imminent.
"We think it's highly likely that he [Putin] will follow through on his plan for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine," Truss told Sky News.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognized two separatist areas in eastern Ukraine as independent states and said he will send Russian troops to the regions, moves condemned by the West and raising fears of an all-out invasion.