Boris Johnson says UK will find more ways to strengthen Ukraine’s defence

British PM offers reassurance during call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

A Ukrainian soldier holds a Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) that was used to destroy a Russian armoured personal carrier (APC) in Irpin, north of Kyiv, on March 12, 2022. - Russian forces stepped up the pressure on Kyiv on March 12, 2022. The northwest suburbs of the capital, including Irpin and Bucha, have already endured days of heavy bombardment while Russian armoured vehicles are advancing on the northeastern edge. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)Show less

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The UK will “continue to pursue more options for bolstering Ukraine’s self-defence”, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, as he praised the country’s people on their “fortitude” in the face of Russian aggression.

In a call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, Mr Johnson said the UK would “continue to stand behind Ukraine in all their efforts to bring an end to this disastrous conflict”.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Social Care said 21 Ukrainian children would receive life-saving cancer treatment in England after being taken there by the UK government with the support of Polish authorities.

Mr Johnson said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions were “testing not just Ukraine but all of humanity”, No 10 Downing Street said.

The UK government will donate more than 500 mobile generators to Ukraine to help power its electricity network.

"We will now be sending generators to ease the difficulties caused by the current power outages and help keep vital services running so the people of Ukraine can continue to defend their country," Mr Johnson said.

The government also “condemned the murders of [American film director] Brent Renaud and countless innocent Ukrainians, and the abduction of the mayors of Dniprorudne and Melitopol”.

Mr Renaud was killed after Russian forces opened fire on his vehicle near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Mr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of kidnapping the mayor of Melitopol, a port city in the south of Ukraine.

And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted on Sunday that “Russian war criminals abducted another democratically elected Ukrainian mayor, the head of Dniprorudne, Yevhen Matveyev”.

Meanwhile, 35 people were killed in an attack on a military training base in western Ukraine.

Mr Johnson reportedly told Mr Zelenskyy during their call that the UK would “continue to pursue more options for bolstering Ukraine’s self-defence”.

“The Prime Minister outlined the support the UK continues to deliver to Ukraine,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

He said the situation would be discussed "at Tuesday’s meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force in London".

Mr Zelenskyy tweeted on Sunday that he had held talks with Mr Johnson and Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala, where they discussed the Ukrainian people’s struggle against Russian aggression and "Russia’s criminal attacks on civilians".

“I thanked the partners for their important support. We appreciate it. #StopRussia," he said.

Later, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she had spoken to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Mr Kuleba.

“Good to speak to Dmytro Kuleba," Ms Truss tweeted. "The bravery of the Ukrainian leadership and people is immense.

“[The UK] is doing all we can to support, including defensive weapons and humanitarian aid.”

Mr Kuleba said the pair had spoken about “next steps to apply more sanctions on Russia”.

“Pressure must increase until Russia ceases its meaningless aggression and stops barbaric war crimes. Grateful to the UK for stepping up support for Ukraine,” he said.

Mr Johnson is preparing for meetings with Nordic and Baltic leaders this week as he seeks to strengthen European resilience in the face of Russia’s invasion.

He will host a summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force, at which he will urge leaders to work together to ensure no more nations fall victim to Russian aggression, Downing Street said.

Police officers detain a woman in central Moscow, during a protest against Russian military action in Ukraine. AFP

Children look at phones as people who fled the conflict in Ukraine wait outside an immigration office in Brussels, Belgium. Reuters

Soldiers stand next to a bus with a damaged windscreen, after an attack on the Yavoriv military base, in Novoyavorivsk, Ukraine. Reuters

A soldier waits at a hospital after the attack on the Yavoriv military base. Reuters

A wounded soldier is transported by medical workers, at a hospital in Novoyavorivsk, after the attack on the Yavoriv military base. Reuters

Rescuers work at the site of an accident after a bus that was carrying about 50 Ukrainian refugees overturned near Forli, central Italy. One person died in the crash. AFP

A man wounded in the air strikes at a nearby military complex is assisted by medical staff outside Novoiavorivsk District Hospital. Getty Images

Paramedics find low ground after an air-raid siren sounds on the outskirts of Novoiavorivsk. Getty Images

A view of a residential building damaged during an air strike, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Chernihiv, Ukraine. Reuters

A tram damaged by shelling sits at a depot, in Kharkiv. AP

An abandoned doll next to a car riddled with bullets in Irpin, north of Kyiv. AFP

A Ukrainian soldier holds a Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon that was used to destroy a Russian armoured personal carrier in Irpin. AFP

Residents try to strengthen the wall of a house damaged by recent shelling, on the outskirts Kyiv. AFP

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a house after shelling in Kyiv. AFP

A convoy of pro-Russian troops outside the separatist-controlled town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Reuters

Smoke from shelling rises behind a wreath at a cemetery in Vasylkiv, south-west of Kyiv. AP

A woman stands outside a local hospital, damaged during fighting in Volnovakha. Reuters

People gather in the basement of a local hospital, which was damaged during clashes in Volnovakha. Reuters

A Ukrainian soldier leaves a damaged building after shelling in Kyiv. AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. AFP

A finance police officer boards Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko's superyacht, which has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, Italy. Reuters

A Russian KA-52 gunship strikes a Ukrainian military object. AFP

Bystanders watch what appears to be Russian forces arresting Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopol, a city in south-eastern Ukraine. Reuters

Firefighters battle a blaze at a warehouse storing frozen products hit by shelling in Kvitneve, Kyiv region. Reuters

A soldier loads the cargo hold of a chartered Boeing 747 airplane with duffle bags belonging to US soldiers, during their deployment to Europe, at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. AP

Two young girls pray for peace in Ukraine at Lisbon's 16th century Jeronimos Monastery. AP Photo

A volunteer of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces walks on the debris of a car wash destroyed by Russian bombing in Baryshivka, east of Kyiv. AP Photo

Volunteers pass an improvised path under a destroyed bridge as they help an elderly resident in Irpin, north-west Kyiv. AP Photo

A woman who was evacuated from Irpin kisses a cat wrapped in a blanket at a triage point in Kyiv. AP Photo

An explosion is seen in an apartment building after a Russian army tank fires in Mariupol. AP Photo

A Russian army tank moves through a street on the outskirts of Mariupol. AP Photo

Tonya Steyn, office manager and volunteer co-ordinator, sorts through medical supplies at the non-governmental organisation, SOS International headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. AFP

An overview of damaged buildings and burning fuel storage tanks at Antonov Airport in Hostomel, north-west of Kyiv. Maxar Technologies / AFP

The destroyed main building of school number 25, after being bombed in Zhytomyr. EPA

A supporter holds a sign to support Ukraine during Paris' mayor and 'Socialist party' (PS) presidential candidate's campaign meeting in Rennes, western France. AFP

Earlier on Sunday, it was disclosed that more than 3,000 visas had been issued to Ukrainians seeking refuge in the UK, with “tens of thousands” set to benefit from a new humanitarian scheme.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said local authority areas would be entitled to more than £10,000 for each Ukrainian refugee using the new route to the UK.

“Additional payments” would be available to support school-aged children who need to be accommodated in the education system, he said.