'Every day Russia inflicts more pain': Rishi Sunak calls for world leaders to 'double down' on arming Ukraine

18 February 2023, 13:44 | Updated: 18 February 2023, 13:55

Rishi Sunak called on global leaders to double down on support for Ukraine
Rishi Sunak called on global leaders to double down on support for Ukraine. Picture: Getty

By Kit Heren

Rishi Sunak has called on world leaders to "double down" on their military support for Ukraine, as he warned that every day brings "more pain and suffering" for the country's people.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Mr Sunak said Ukraine needed military backing by allies to counter the expected spring onslaught by Russian president Vladimir Putin's troops.

But he also argued that Western countries must also start to put in place the foundations to strengthen Kyiv's long-term security.

Mr Sunak said UK tanks and the British government starting to train Ukrainian pilots to fly Nato-standard fighter jets was an example of how Britain was playing its part. Germany and the US have also recently given tanks to Ukraine to fight off the Russian invasion.

The PM told the summit: "Our collective efforts are making a difference but with every day that passes, Russian forces inflict yet more pain and suffering.

Rish Sunak at the Munich Security Conference
Rish Sunak at the Munich Security Conference. Picture: Getty

"Now the only way to change that is for Ukraine to win." He added: "We need to do more to boost Ukraine's long-term security.

"We must give them the advanced, Nato-standard capabilities that they need for the future.

"And we must demonstrate that we'll remain by their side, willing and able to help them defend their country again and again."

Mr Sunak also said securing a lasting peace would mean "upholding international law" and making Moscow pay reparations to Kyiv.

Others to speak at the summit on Saturday included US vice-president Kamala Harris and Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

Ukraine Defence adviser: 'We will win' 

Before his speech, Mr Sunak held bilateral talks with German chancellor Olaf Scholz and will later speak with Ms Harris, along with the leaders of Poland, Sweden and Finland.

According to No 10, the Prime Minister "stressed the need for allies to think not just about securing peace in the short term, but about strengthening Ukraine's long-term defences" during his conversation with Mr Scholz.

Next Friday marks the one-year anniversary of Putin's invasion.

Mr Sunak's comments come after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told LBC's Shelagh Fogarty that the UK must keep supporting Ukraine.

Ukrainian servicemen in the war with Russia
Ukrainian servicemen in the war with Russia. Picture: Getty

Shelagh told Sir Keir: "There are people who either don't want to or really genuinely don't understand why this is our fight. Tell them why it's our fight in your view."

He: "Oh I can do that very easily - let me first try and do that as a human being."The Leader of the Opposition talked about meeting people who had lost their friends and neighbours in the war.

READ MORE: 'Wings for freedom': Zelenskyy thanks Britain for support as he asks for fighter jets in historic Parliamentary address

"You can in those circumstances absolutely understand why people fled the country seeing what was happening in their neighbourhoods," he said.

"Anybody who has any doubt about this just needs to reflect for a moment on that," Sir Keir added.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Mark Hamill

Star Wars actor Hamill dubs Biden ‘Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi’ on trip to White House

Rockstar Mick Jagger briefly waded into Louisiana politics while on-stage in New Orleans

'You can't always get what you want' Louisiana governor endorsed by Trump claps back at Mick Jagger after on-stage jibe

Donald Trump

Trump ex-adviser tells trial of firestorm over leaked ‘grab women’ tape

Hardeep Singh Nijjar banner

Canadian police arrest three people over killing of Sikh activist

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger gets into spat with Louisiana’s Republican governor

The family of Stuart Everett have paid tribute to him

'He did not deserve to die the way he did' Family pays tribute to man whose headless torso was found in nature reserve

Left to right: Shane Cunningham, Leo Knight and Cartel Bushnell

Teenager who stabbed 16-year-old to death at Bath birthday house party jailed for life as two others also sentenced

Hope Hicks

Former presidential media adviser takes stand in Trump hush money trial

Flooded town in Brazil

Dozens believed dead as southern Brazil is hit by worst rain in 80 years

Footage of the flooding (via AP)

At least 29 dead, 60 still missing after heavy rains in southern Brazil

A group of people were hit by a car in Tameside.

Shocking moment car ploughs into group of people in 'hit-and-run' outside polling station as two arrested

Donald Trump

Gagging order on Trump does not stop him from testifying, says judge

Alfie Lewis was stabbed to death near a school in Leeds

Boy, 15, found guilty of murdering teenager Alfie Lewis as he walked to meet friends near Leeds school

Labour hails big local election wins but Sunak says public will stick with Tories at general election despite dismal results

Labour hails local election wins but Sunak says public will 'stick with' Tories at general election despite poor results

Mr Sunak has called a meeting for later this month.

Rishi Sunak summons university chiefs amid ‘serious concerns’ over antisemitism following clashes on US campuses

A woman has been hit by a bus outside Victoria station.

Woman rushed to hospital after being hit by double-decker bus outside London Victoria station