UK £20m as Ukraine 100 Year Partnership turns one
Let’s start with why this matters. On 16 January 2026, the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Business and Trade Minister Chris Bryant were in Kyiv for a summit marking one year of the UK–Ukraine “100 Year Partnership”. While there, Lammy visited a missile strike site, met families affected by drone attacks and heard from UNHCR staff about winter needs. (gov.uk)
The government also announced a further £20 million for emergency energy infrastructure in Ukraine. The funding is designed to repair, restore and protect the power system so homes, hospitals and schools can keep lights and heating on through the freezing months. (gov.uk)
What exactly is the 100 Year Partnership? It is a long‑term UK–Ukraine agreement signed in Kyiv on 16 January 2025 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The treaty commits both countries to deep cooperation in defence, energy, trade, science and education and is set to last for a century unless either side ends it. (president.gov.ua)
In Kyiv, Lammy told business leaders that this is about shared security and practical work to attract investment and deepen joint action, not just statements. The aim, as framed in the official readout, is a fair peace and a safer future for both nations. (gov.uk)
A rule‑of‑law note that matters for rebuilding: the UK will support training for Ukrainian commercial judges, delivered independently by the judiciary of England and Wales. Strong, predictable commercial courts help buyers and suppliers trust contracts and payments, which is vital when you’re trying to rebuild in wartime. (gov.uk)
On trade, UK Export Finance plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with ECA Ukraine. In plain terms, export credit agencies use government guarantees or insurance to share risk so that exporters can proceed with deals that might otherwise stall. (gov.uk)
The day also brought three development programmes led by UK businesses, including work to upgrade school buildings so children can learn in safer, warmer classrooms, and an initiative to develop net‑zero housing-energy‑efficient homes that cut bills and pollution. (gov.uk)
If you’re in education, there’s a link to your classroom. A separate government update today said the school‑twinning scheme will expand to 300 more schools over the next three years, connecting pupils in both countries for shared lessons and projects. (gov.uk)
Energy support, explained quickly: repeated missile and drone strikes can damage transformers, substations and power lines. Money like today’s £20 million usually pays for rapid repairs, mobile generators and protective kit so essential services can keep running when the temperature plunges. (gov.uk)
Media‑literacy check. This is a UK government announcement, so treat the figures as plans that will need delivery. Watch for follow‑ups on when judge training begins, which school projects receive funding, how the UKEF‑ECA agreement becomes backed contracts, and how much of the energy money is disbursed. The FCDO says today’s step brings total UK support for Ukraine’s energy sector to over £470 million, a number you can track over time. (gov.uk)