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Liz Truss vows to match Ukraine military support as politics returns
Following the Queen's funeral, Prime Minister Liz Truss will vow to match UK spending on military support to Ukraine next year, as she restarts her government's agenda, the BBC reported.
Political activity and government business were paused until after the Queen's funeral, which was attended by Ms Truss, alongside other politicians, foreign dignitaries and members of the Royal Family.
As politics resumes in the UK, Ms Truss will travel to the United States for her first foreign trip as prime minister.
The UK has been one of the leading donors of military aid to Ukraine, committing £2.3bn since Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces invaded the country in February.
Ms Truss will pledge military aid worth billions during a trip to meet world leaders in New York this week.
She will use a speech to the UN General Assembly to rally support for Ukraine.
The trip comes at a time of global economic turmoil driven by soaring energy prices and the Ukraine war.
A hectic week of diplomacy and policy announcements lies ahead for Ms Truss and her government after a period of national mourning for the late Queen ended.
Her busy agenda will include a series of meetings with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, and her first big speech as prime minister on the international stage at the UN General Assembly in New York.
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She was expected to meet Mr Biden on Wednesday (Sep 21) at the assembly after a planned meeting with him before the Queen's funeral was postponed.
Ms Truss's speech to the assembly will focus on renewing the UK's long-term commitment to Ukraine and ending international energy dependence on Russia.
In her speech, Ms Truss will point to the recent success of Ukraine's counter-offensives as examples of what the country can achieve with Western backing.
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"Ukraine's victories in recent weeks have been inspirational," Ms Truss said. "Time and time again these brave people have defied the doubters and showed what they can do when given the military, economic and political support they need."
Supporting Ukraine was a key policy plank of the previous UK government led by Ms Truss's predecessor, Boris Johnson.
On a visit to Ukraine last month, Mr Johnson said the West must endure rising energy bills to help the country drive out Russia.
But Labour urged Ms Truss to use the trip to the UN to start "rebuilding our country's diplomatic influence".
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Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, also attending the assembly, said: "Twelve years of Conservative governments making diplomatic gaffes, announcing plans to break international law, failing to live up to promises on climate action and cutting international aid have damaged relations with the US and left Britain isolated on the global stage.
"After being snubbed by the Biden administration within her first weeks in office, Liz Truss urgently needs to wake up to the damage her reckless approach to foreign policy is doing to the UK's national interest."
levantnews-BBC
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