In a world marked by global instability, the United Kingdom's steadfast support for Ukraine remains an unwavering constant. Last week, Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine within a 24-hour period, firing nearly 1,000 drones across multiple regions. In the aftermath of this assault, I traveled to Ukraine to reaffirm the UK's ironclad commitment and ensure that the crisis in the Middle East does not divert international attention from the urgent need to maintain pressure on Russia to end its illegal and barbarous war against Ukraine and its people.
The Innocent Victims of Conflict
At the heart of every conflict are innocent lives, and none suffer more profoundly than children forced to endure the horrors of war. During my visit, I had the privilege of meeting young people who have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of Russia's unprovoked aggression. These children, who have directly benefited from UK assistance, represent the very future that Ukraine is fighting so fiercely to protect.
Strengthening Bonds Through Education
Our two nations share many deep bonds. Personally, this resonates strongly as the city where I grew up in South Wales was twinned with Luhansk. It felt deeply meaningful to visit Lyceum 290 in Kyiv, which is part of the UK-Ukraine Schools Twinning Programme. This initiative was launched in April 2025 and expanded earlier this year, connecting Ukrainian children with pupils in the UK. Speaking to these young Ukrainians, I witnessed how the programme builds on our cultural ties and equips the next generation with vital skills for the future—curiosity, empathy, and collaboration.
To date, over 23,400 children across both countries have participated in this programme, with plans for over 300 additional schools to join in the next three years. This educational exchange is a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of conflict.
The Stark Reality of Child Deportations
However, the stark reality is that thousands of Ukrainian children continue to be torn from their homes in areas temporarily occupied by Russia. We have seen children cruelly taken from orphanages and transferred to Russian institutions or foster families, where they are issued Russian citizenship in an attempt to indoctrinate them and erase their Ukrainian identity.
The UK has already provided £2.8 million to help return and reintegrate children illegally deported by Russia. Since June 2025, the UK-supported Ukrainian verification centre has gathered evidence that over 20,000 children have been illegally deported or forcibly transferred by Russian authorities. This number is expected to climb as investigators uncover further evidence of this systematic crime against humanity. This abhorrent practice must end immediately.
Efforts to Bring Justice
This week, I met with investigation teams who are working tirelessly to verify the names of missing children, trace their locations, and document evidence to hold perpetrators accountable. Their work is the essential first step in returning Ukraine's children, offering families hope, and ensuring these despicable crimes are brought to justice.
Financial Support and Broader Impacts
More broadly, our financial support for Ukraine remains steadfast. Last month, the UK announced it has protected its development funding to Ukraine with £240 million per year to fund humanitarian, energy, and reconstruction programmes. This crucial investment is strengthening Ukraine's economy while addressing the country's profound humanitarian needs, worsened by a brutal winter of attacks on its energy infrastructure.
This support is not a one-way benefit. Our backing for Ukraine is strengthening European security and contributing to the UK's own safety and economic stability. This includes bolstering domestic supply chains, growing regional economies, and reinforcing the UK's high-value sectors such as defence.
Choking Off Russian Revenue
While we stand with Ukraine, we will continue to choke off Russia's revenue streams to ensure that war in the Gulf does not become a windfall for Putin. This includes allowing UK forces to seize shadow fleet vessels that pass through our waters. Russia must end its illegal war. Until it does, the UK will stand firmly with Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace, one in which every Ukrainian citizen, from the young to the old, can live free from Russian aggression.
