Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will urge world leaders to “double down” on military support for Ukraine.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Sunak will say that allies should provide the country with “modern, NATO-standard capabilities”.
But they will go further and call on NATO to offer long-term security assurances against Russian aggression.
The main theme of the conference is the Allies’ attempt to rebuild the case for defending Ukraine.
A three-day gathering to discuss global security in Germany, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, will provide a key test of Western support for Kiev as both sides in the war prepare for spring operations. .
Ukraine’s allies are trying to show their resolve, trying to convince the Russian government that they will not give up or give up, even at the cost of “blood and treasure” in the coming months. may increase as fresh military campaigns are being launched by both sides.
Most of the conference attendees – from heads of state and ministers to diplomats and spies – are from Europe or the US, including US Vice President Kamala Harris and about 30 European heads of government. No Russian officials have been invited.
Ahead of the conference, the UK prime minister said the summit was “an opportunity for me to talk to our partners and allies around the world about our efforts to increase our support for Ukraine to defeat Russian aggression.” can give”.
Speaking to Downing Street, Mr Sunak said he wanted to “make sure other countries follow our lead” in providing battle tanks and training soldiers and airmen on NATO-standard aircraft.
In his speech in Germany, he is expected to: “When Putin started this war, he gambled that our resolve would weaken. Now he is betting that we will lose our nerve.” will give
“But we proved him wrong then and we will prove him wrong now.”
Calling for a new NATO charter to provide assurances of long-term support, Mr Sunak will also say that allies must demonstrate we will stand by their side, repeatedly standing by their side in defense of their country. Will be willing and able to help.
The unspoken question in Munich is what if the participants meet this time next year and the war is still on?
Of particular concern is whether the political and economic costs of war may prove too much to bear, as the Russian leadership has assumed, or whether the Western alliance will stand firm with Ukraine.
Uncertainty surrounding these issues is another reason allies now want to step up support, to ensure Ukraine can fend off any Russian attack and strike back on its own. President Volodymyr Zelensky is not just a speedster.
Last week, the Ukrainian leader visited Britain, as well as Paris and Brussels, where he appealed to European leaders to provide his country with modern fighter jets.
Britain is starting to train Ukrainian forces to fly Nato-standard jets and Mr Sunak has said “nothing is off the table”.
But Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has said there will be no immediate transfer of UK fighter jets to Ukraine.
He told the BBC it could take months to train pilots and Britain was instead focusing on providing alternative air cover for Ukraine.
Some NATO member states also fear that giving the jets to Ukraine would escalate the war, risking a direct confrontation between the Western military alliance and Russia.
Since Russia’s attack on February 24 last year, the UK has spent £2.3bn on military aid, making it the second biggest donor after the US. The government has said it plans to cover the cost again this year.
Military equipment supplied by the UK so far includes tanks, air defense systems and artillery.
However, since the arrival of Western weapons, Kiev has become increasingly disillusioned. The delivery of the battle tanks – promised last month by countries including Germany, the US and Britain – is still believed to be weeks away from reaching the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Mr Sunak will also use his visit to Munich to hold talks with European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen about the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Sources believe that after more than a year of talks, a deal on post-Brexit trade arrangements between Britain and the EU could be reached as early as next week.
