Help Ukraine, UK Send Ambulance, Medical Supplies To Remove Tariffs For Goods

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. (Source: president.gov.ua)

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JAKARTA - Britain has again announced a range of foreign aid to Ukraine, with the economy and emergency services the target of aid after previously providing defense assistance.

The government said Britain provided Ukraine with new ambulances, fire engines, medical supplies and funds for health experts to help its emergency services deal with the aftermath of the Russian attacks.

The latest wave of British support includes 22 new ambulances departing for Ukraine in the coming days, to join the more than 40 fire engines carrying rescue equipment, thermal imaging cameras and nearly 10,000 items of protective clothing that have already been sent there.

In addition, the UK Government also provided £300,000 to medical aid charity UK-Med to help train Ukrainian doctors and nurses to treat mass casualties, as well as £300,000 worth of medicine and pharmaceutical supplies.

"We are all shocked by the disgusting picture of hospitals being deliberately targeted by Russia since the invasion began more than two months ago," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

"The new ambulances, fire engines and funding for health professionals announced today will better equip Ukrainians to provide vital and lifesaving healthcare," said Prime Minister Johnson.

Not only that, all tariffs on goods coming to the UK from Ukraine under existing free trade deals will be cut to help the Ukrainian economy.

London said tariffs would be reduced to zero and all quotas removed following a direct request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the move would provide a boost to Ukrainian businesses involved in key exports such as barley, honey, canned tomatoes and poultry.

"We stand firm with Ukraine in this ongoing struggle, and will work to ensure Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation," said British Secretary of International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

The UK says currently the average tariff on Ukrainian imports is around 22 percent. It said the planned changes had been offered on a non-reciprocal basis, but Kyiv was likely to match Britain's action.

Instead, the UK government said it would impose further export bans on products to Russia, including cash, maritime goods and technology to energy-related goods.

Last week, Britain stepped up sanctions on luxury goods including caviar, silver and diamonds.