Yvette Cooper announced a £142 million funding boost for Ukraine and a package of 100 new sanctions on Russia during a visit to Kyiv on Friday, her first overseas trip as the United Kingdom's foreign secretary.
Cooper said the measures would help Ukraine through the coming winter and into 2026, and described the UK's support as "unwavering and stronger than ever." The funding will be split into £100 million to help civilians in frontline communities — including repairs to water and heating systems, support for livelihoods and resilience measures — and £42 million for repairs and protections for Ukraine's electricity network and critical gas and power infrastructure.
Cooper was met at a Kyiv railway station by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and later held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, officials said. Her programme included visits to Kyiv's cabinet of ministers building, which was struck during Russia's largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the war began, and to a residential building destroyed in a Russian strike.
The Foreign Office said the newly announced sanctions aim to further damage Russia's capacity to finance and equip its military and to disrupt illicit maritime operations that have transported sanctioned Russian exports. About 70 ships involved in what the Foreign Office called Putin's "shadow fleet" will be targeted, along with companies that supply electronics, chemicals and explosives used in weapon manufacturing.
"Putin's bombardment of Ukrainian civilians, his stalling and delaying in internationally-backed peace talks, and his blatant disregard for human life must end," Cooper said. She added that the sanctions "form the next stage in the UK's leading efforts to ramp up economic pressure, alongside our security support and our work alongside the coalition of the willing for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."
Cooper's visit comes as tensions in the wider region have intensified after Russian drones that violated Polish airspace were shot down by Polish forces and NATO in recent days. The Foreign Office said there had been "a summer of Russian delay tactics at peace talks" and an increase in attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure.
Separately on Friday, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv after being invited by an organisation supporting Ukrainians with life-changing war injuries. The palace said he arrived by train and told hosts he wanted to do "everything possible" to aid the recovery of injured military personnel.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. International talks in recent months have sought a resolution to the conflict but have not produced meaningful progress, diplomats say. The UK government framed Cooper's trip and the new measures as part of a sustained effort to maintain pressure on Moscow while supporting Ukraine's immediate humanitarian and infrastructure needs through winter months and into the next year.
British officials said the sanctions will target economic nodes that help sustain Russia's war effort and disrupt networks used to transport sanctioned goods, while the aid is intended to stabilise essential services for civilians in frontline areas. The Foreign Office said the combined approach of financial assistance, sanctions and security cooperation reflects the UK's long-term commitment to Ukraine amid continuing hostilities.
Cooper is expected to continue meetings in Kyiv with senior Ukrainian officials before returning to London to outline the UK's next steps in support and coordination with allies on sanctions enforcement and further assistance.