UK's New Defense Minister Visits Ukraine, Discusses Air Defense To Anti-drone System

President Zelensky with British Defense Minister Grant Shapps. (Twitter/@grantshapps)

JAKARTA - British Defense Minister Grant Shapps visited Ukraine to discuss increasing the country's defense capacity against Russian attacks, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky until his head of defense Kyiv.

This is Shapps' first visit as Secretary of Defense after being appointed last month, with Britain becoming one of Ukraine's key allies to deal with the Russian invasion that was carried out in February 2022.

"On behalf of the entire nation, I am grateful for everything you have done for us. We are grateful for your help, military, financial, humanitarian. We really appreciate that we can count on you," read a statement from President Zelensky's office.

President Zelensky said increasing defense sector cooperation between Kyiv and London, according to him, allowed Ukraine to expand its capabilities significantly on the battlefield with long-range weapons.

"We discussed further defense cooperation and measures to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses," President Zelensky wrote on platform X.

I received UK Defense Secretary @GrantShapps in Kyiv.I am profoundly grateful to the UK for all the financial, humanitarian, and military support, including crucial long-range capabilities.We discussed further defense cooperation and steps to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. pic.twitter.com/hITN23AjD7

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 28, 2023

I received UK Defense Secretary @GrantShapps in Kyiv.I am correctly coupled to the UK for all the financial, humanitarian, and military support, including crude long-range capabilities.We disclosed further defense cooperation and steps to strengthen Ukraine s air defense. pic.twitter.com/hITN23AjD7

Previously, Britain had supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles this year, allowing Ukraine to carry out long-range attacks on targets in Russian-occupied territory.

The statement said discussions were made amid fears Russia would use long-range missiles and drones to target critical energy infrastructure in winter.

"I returned to Kyiv this week to ask President Zelensky what he needed to win," Defense Minister Shapps wrote on platform X.

"When Ukraine reclaimed its territory, Britain's support remained steadfast. We will work tirelessly to unite our partners to help Ukraine defeat Putin's illegal invasion."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who was recently appointed, said he also met Defense Minister Shapps, briefing on the battlefield situation and Kyiv's urgent need.

"Focus on air defenses, artillery, anti-drone systems. Winter will come but we are ready. Together we become stronger," Umerov said on X.

Shapps itself had previously visited Ukraine during the war, but in previous capacities as Minister of Energy, before replacing Ben Wallace as Minister of Defense last month.