UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv on Friday to unveil a major new package of support for Ukraine, hours after British troops struck Houthi targets in Yemen in co-ordination with the US.
The UK will step up funding for Ukraine in the next financial year to £2.5 billion ($3.19 billion), including a commitment to supply drones, the largest such delivery to Ukraine by any country, the government said on Friday.
Mr Sunak and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a UK-Ukraine agreement on security co-operation, making Britain the first country to deliver on the G7 nations' agreement to provide Kyiv with bilateral security assurances at last year’s Nato summit in Vilnius.
“For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion,” Mr Sunak said.
“They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.
“I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.
“The UK is already one of Ukraine’s closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security.
“Today we are going further – increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones and signing a historic new security agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long-term.”
The security agreement formalises support the UK is providing for Ukraine, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and industrial defence co-operation.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman said the agreement was intended to be “the first step in developing an unshakeable 100-year partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom”. Under the terms, Britain is committed to consulting with Ukraine in the event it is attacked by Russia again and to provide “swift and sustained” defence assistance.
Speaking after the signing of what he called an “unprecedented security agreement”, Mr Zelenskyy said it would remain in effect until Ukraine joined Nato.
“I am glad that we concluded the first agreement with the United Kingdom … This is the basis for working with other partners,” the Ukrainian leader said.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv - in pictures
Mr Sunak first visited Ukraine in November 2022, soon after becoming Prime Minister.
Britain is the second-biggest donor of military aid to the country after the US, giving a total of £4.6 billion in 2022 and 2023.
The additional £2.5 billion funding will optimise UK military expertise and defence production in critical areas such as long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security, the government said.
At least £200 million will be spent to procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones, representing the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.
Most of the drones are expected to be made in the UK and the Ministry of Defence will work with international partners to boost the number provided for Ukraine’s defence.
The Ukrainian leader has previously said his country particularly needs air defence systems to fend off Russian aerial barrages.
More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2, according to officials in Kyiv.
But there have been concerns that global focus on the war has shifted, as the crisis in the Middle East continues to escalate and concerns grow about the fate of civilians in Gaza.
The British Prime Minister's visit came only hours after UK and US forces launched strikes against targets controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Mr Sunak also met first responders dealing with the aftermath of Russian bombings during his visit to the Ukrainian capital.
The UK has pledged an additional £18 million in aid for Ukraine, building on almost £340 million already provided.
Some of that funding will support organisations such as the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the front line, and £8 million will go to fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure against further attacks.
The UK will also provide additional funding and resources for English language training in Ukraine.
To date, the UK has provided almost £12 billion in support to Ukraine, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles to a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.
Both Ukraine and Russia are keen to replenish their weaponry after 22 months of fighting and the potential for a protracted war.
The roughly 1,500km front line has been largely static during winter, with both sides requiring artillery shells, missiles and drones that enable long-range strikes.
Ukraine says Moscow is receiving artillery shells and missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran.
On January 4, the White House cited US intelligence officials as saying Russia had acquired ballistic missiles from North Korea and was seeking similar weapons from Iran.
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
Racecard
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Company%C2%A0profile
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World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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Article 15
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Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
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Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
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