UK to provide $1.6B in additional military aid to Ukraine

The United Kingdom will provide a further 1.3 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) in military support and aid to Ukraine.

That's according to a statement by the UK government, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters.

Britain said the extra spending on Ukraine will come from a reserve used by the government for emergencies.

The government also said Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host a meeting of leading defense companies later this month to discuss increasing production in response to increased demand created by the war in Ukraine.

The new pledge almost doubles Britain's previous spending commitments on Ukraine and the government said this is the highest rate of spending on a conflict since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.