Dr Fox said: “It would be helpful for everyone to know what Britain’s contribution will be, especially when the EU is about to make its decision. The Ukrainian government would want to know.
“We have regarded that [£2.3 billion a year] as a reasonable contribution for the UK to make. Unless there’s a good reason not to, why, when all other things remain equal, would we want to reduce our aid?”
Sir Gavin said: “This is a conflict that’s been going on since 2014. It’s a battle that the Ukrainians are fighting not just on behalf of themselves but actually on behalf of every free and democratic nation.
“It is absolutely right that we come forward to give them certainty and confidence on the type of backing that we provide for their struggle against Putin.
“The question that we have to ask is ‘what is sufficient for them to do the job?’ Ukraine is needing greater resources, certainly not less. At a very minimum we need to give them what we’ve given them in the past but ideally more.”
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, told the Telegraph he expects the UK to spend at least another £2 billion on Ukraine next year, and added: “I think we could potentially do better.”
Meanwhile, Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, has said Britain’s military spending should rise above even the long-term “aspiration” of 2.5 per cent of GDP.
He told the Sunday Times: “I think we need to go to 3 per cent and possibly higher, and I think the rest of the West is going to have to do the same. That is the reality of a much more dangerous world that we’re living in.”
Last night, experts emphasised the importance of providing support to Ukraine as the war nears a potentially crucial new phase.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of Britain’s chemical weapons regiment, told The Telegraph: “The Ukrainians have a lot of western kit, the F-16s are arriving and by the spring they should have a considerable amount but they will need enough ammunition to break through.
“One can see a possibility that Ukraine could get behind the Russians into Crimea but they absolutely have got to have the ammunition, as much as we can give them.”
Britain has increased its military assistance to Ukraine at various stages since Russia’s invasion on February 24 2022.
Among the items that have been given are M270 multiple-launch rocket systems, drones, anti-tank weapons, Challenger II tanks, AS-90 self-propelled guns, armoured vehicles and pieces of kit.
The Prime Minister and his Cabinet ministers have said repeatedly that the UK continues to stand with Kyiv and that military assistance will continue beyond current commitments.
‘War fatigue’
Government insiders have indicated an announcement on the 2024 figure is likely to be made at least by the Budget, which is expected to be held in March.
But that is much later than when the commitment for 2023 was announced, which came in September 2022 when Liz Truss, the prime minister at the time, confirmed another £2.3 billion was coming.
With the war approaching its two-year mark, there has been much discussion about whether the West is at risk of so-called “war fatigue” when it comes to its support for Kyiv.
In early December, Republicans in the US Senate voted unanimously to block an emergency spending bill to provide $110.5 billion in funds for Ukraine, Israel and other security needs.
The senators are pushing for improved US border security commitments in the package.
Earlier in the year, Republicans in the House of Representatives also held up Ukraine aid spending.
Delays in new commitments have also been seen in the EU, with Mr Orban blocking €50 billion in EU aid for Ukraine earlier in the month.
During talks on Dec 15, Mr Orban tweeted: “Summary of the nightshift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine.” The other 26 national leaders in the EU supported passing the aid package.
On the lack of a 2024 Ukraine aid announcement, a Ministry of Defence source said: “The government is aware of the importance of maintaining military support for Ukraine and we are committed to standing with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people for the long term.
“British military support has been crucial in helping Ukrainians defend their homeland and that will continue when the 2024 military aid budget is announced in due time.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
