Russia- Ukraine war: UK will assist Kiev eventhough not in NATO
Ukraine is not a NATO member-state. Our commitment to our NATO eastern allies is on way bringing indeed increasing our military deployments to our eastern NATO allies.
The United Kingdom (UK) would continue to support Kiev and to provide financial and humanitarian aid in spite of the fact that Ukraine was not a NATO member.
UK Minister of State for Europe and North America James Cleverly said on Thursday.
"Ukraine is not a NATO member-state. Our commitment to our NATO eastern allies is on way bringing indeed increasing our military deployments to our eastern NATO allies.
"So, Ukraine is not a NATO member-state. It will be wrong to treat them as if they were.
"But we do continue to support them as to say financially, in humanitarian terms, but also with equipment to help them defend themselves against this Russian attack,'' Cleverly told UK broadcaster LBC.
Cleverly added that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had convened an expeditionary meeting of the UK cabinet to decide the form of further assistance to Ukraine.
The minister added the reaction would be immediate and NATO would show solidarity in the event of a threat to a NATO member country.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, commenting on the UK statement about helping Ukraine in self-defence, noted that London had already helped Ukraine.
"UK Foreign Office: 'Ukraine is not a member of NATO, but we will help them in self-defence. You have already helped. Relax,'' Zakharova said on Telegram.