UK to provide Ukraine with 2 million pounds for demining in the Donbas
During a visit to Kyiv, Boris Johnson said that Britain would support further sanctions against Russia and help Ukraine to carry out reforms.
Britain intends to allocate two million pounds sterling for demining in the Donbas, as was announced by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson, during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Pavlo Klimkin, in Kyiv on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. As specified on the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the project is being implemented by the British Humanitarian Organization, HALO Trust, with financial support from the British government. The funds will be provided to Ukraine through 2018.
According to Klimkin, the parties also agreed to assist in a number of reforms, in particular, the Ukrainian customs system. Johnson added that the officials discussed the question of fighting corruption and improving the judicial system. "We will also help in reforming the tax system, several of our outstanding specialists, including tax lawyers, will work in Ukraine," Johnson said, as quoted by the Ukrainian News Agency Ukrayins'ki Novyny.
The British Minister stressed that London will continue to support the sovereignty of Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, despite fears about a possible policy change due to the future UK exit from the EU. "Brexit or no, for us it does not change anything," Johnson said to the Reuters News Agency. "We continue to be a great player."
In addition, Johnson congratulated Ukraine on its victory on "Eurovision" and wished to hold a high level competition in 2017 in Kyiv.