UK to pledge to ‘do everything possible to ensure Ukraine wins war’

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will pledge that the UK will “do everything possible to ensure Ukraine wins the war and recovers”.

She will tell the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Switzerland today that the UK will support the embattled nation for the “long haul” and resist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

The Foreign Office said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the UK to champion the recovery of the capital Kyiv and the surrounding region.

But attempts to rebuild the area are made more challenging by Russia’s ability to hit the capital with missiles as the Kremlin’s forces slowly advance in the east.

Ms Truss will use the conference in the city of Lugano to set out a vision to give both immediate and long-term support to Ukraine.

Other developments:

• In his nightly address, Mr Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from the key city of Lysychansk in the Donbas but vowed they would retake it
• Eight Ukrainian city and village leaders are being held captive in Russia, according to The Association of Cities of Ukraine
• Ukrainian forces have repelled Russian advances in Novomykhailivka, Bohorodychne, and Ivanivka
• A Russian mine detonated, killing one civilian and injuring another in the Odesa region

“Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the power of democracy over autocracy. It will show Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine have only produced a stronger, more prosperous and more united nation,” she is expected to say.

“The UK is resolute in its support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and will remain at Ukraine’s side as it emerges as a strong, thriving and cutting-edge democracy.

“We have led on support for Ukraine during the war and will continue to lead in supporting the Ukrainian government’s reconstruction and development plan.”

Ms Truss will announce plans to host next year’s recovery conference as the government commits to a Marshall Plan-style programme, a reference to the one used to rebuild Europe after the Second World War.

“The UK will do everything possible to ensure Ukraine wins the war and recovers. We need to be in this for the long haul,” she is expected to add.

Russia captures Lysychansk – Zelenskyy vows to retake key city: Follow live updates

Moscow is focusing its assault on the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk after President Putin withdrew his troops from the offensive in Kyiv after they faced fierce resistance.

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On Sunday, President Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from Lysychansk after a grinding Russian assault, but vowed to regain control over the area with the help of long-range Western weapons.

Russia said its capture of Lysychansk less than a week after taking neighbouring Severodonetsk gave it full control of the eastern Luhansk region.

Last week, Russia hit Kyiv with missile strikes in what Ukraine said was an intimidation attempt as the city’s people attempt to return to normal life while under siege.