The British government announced £20 million ($25.4 million) in emergency energy infrastructure support for Ukraine on 16 January, according to an official statement marking the first anniversary of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.
The funding will address urgent repair needs as hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians face temperatures dropping to -20°C without heat and power following intensified Russian strikes on energy facilities, the government reports.
"Our 100 Year Partnership with Ukraine stands for everything Putin is trying to destroy, bringing hope, opportunity and greater security to both our countries," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in the statement.
The emergency package will support repairs, restoration, and protection of energy supply systems nationwide, keeping electricity and heating operational in homes, hospitals and schools during winter conditions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared a state of emergency in Ukraine following sustained attacks on the country's energy sector.
According to the announcement, the new allocation brings total UK support for Ukraine's energy sector to over £470 million ($597 million) since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the partnership extends beyond military assistance: "Our bilateral ties extend far beyond the conflict, from opening new doors to trade and growth for British businesses, deepening defence cooperation, partnering to drive innovations in science and technology, and deepening our educational and cultural ties."
The government reports UK exports to Ukraine increased 20% over the past year, while a £1.6 billion ($2.03 billion) air defence missile deal created 200 jobs in Northern Ireland.
Alongside energy support, Britain will expand its school twinning programme by 300 additional schools over three years, benefiting 54,000 British and Ukrainian pupils. The initiative launched last April with 100 schools participating across both countries.
"A love of reading can change a child's life – it builds empathy, widens horizons and helps us to see the world through others' eyes," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, noting the expansion coincides with Britain's National Year of Reading.
The UK hosted a flagship event in Kyiv on 16 January gathering over 300 stakeholders from British and Ukrainian sectors, according to the statement. Britain has allocated £283 million in bilateral assistance to Ukraine for fiscal year 2025/26.
