Top of the list is ensuring the flow of money and military support. “I would show up with triple the amount of European money for Ukraine and go after Russian assets,” said one of the sources. “We need to figure out what war chest Ukraine needs to find to fight through 2025 and into 2026 — it’s hard to ask the US taxpayer to foot the bill.”
Unsurprisingly, there is a strong belief in the defense world that increasing defense budgets is part of the answer. The head of the army, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who visited President Zelenskiy this week, told us two weeks ago that spending had to rise.
But with cash tight and the government’s reluctance to even set a date for reaching its defense spending target of 2.5% of GDP, there is little chance of sudden additional infusions of billions.
Government sources highlight the long-term commitments Britain has already made, notably supporting Ukraine with drones.
Intelligence we can reveal this weekend shows that Ukraine used drones in mid-to-late September to strike four Russian ammunition depots hundreds of miles from Ukraine. The attacks are believed to have successfully destroyed the largest amount of ammunition supplied by Russia and North Korea during the conflict. It was not confirmed whether the drones were provided by the UK or other countries.
They also highlighted a deal signed between Britain and Ukraine in July to help the country arm itself in the long term.
