The government’s pledge to provide at least £2.3 billion in military aid to Ukraine next year will help ease the cost-of-living crisis, the culture minister said.
Michelle Donnellan told Sky News the bailout would help reduce UK fuel costs and said the government would outline how it would pay for the pledge.
Liz Truss, Prime Minister, announced the commitment on Monday night to match next year’s support to Ukraine this year.
She was on her way to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, her first foreign trip as prime minister.
Britain is Ukraine’s second-biggest military donor, having committed £2.3 billion this year to the supply of hundreds of missiles, air defense systems and other military equipment.
Ms Donnellan told Sky News’ Kay Burley: “We think it’s fundamentally important that we stand up for democracy, that we continue to defend Ukraine in their struggle, that we stand up for the rest of the world to end its global dependence on Russia, which is one of the factors of fuel price growth.
“So that will really help cost of living people not only in the UK but all over the world.
“And we hope that other countries will see what we are doing and follow our example.
“We will define exactly where this money is coming from.”
She said she did not want to “pre-empt” exactly what Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will announce in the “mini-budget” on Friday.
Ms Donelan also rejects any suggestion that the cost of living crisis will force a review of Britain’s strategy in Ukraine.
“We are not overestimating our support in Ukraine, we are doubling our support in Ukraine.”
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James Murray, the Treasury’s shadow chancellor, said it was “absolutely right that we are giving all our strong support” to Ukraine and stop Putin “using energy as a weapon”.
But he questioned whether the government has a concrete plan to support Ukraine.
“I think there should also be a strategy – along with promises of money and support – it should be a long-term strategy,” he told Sky News.
“And that includes, of course, the UK energy plan, because Putin is using energy as a weapon.
“And we need to make sure that people here are protected through the winter and beyond as energy prices rise.”
He added that the government must make it a priority for the British people to survive the “difficult months ahead”.
https://news.sky.com/story/spending-more-on-military-aid-to-ukraine-will-cut-energy-bills-minister-says-12701839
