UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Wednesday morning, 28 October. The call took place before Cabinet, on Budget day. The readout was published by the Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street.
According to the readout, the two stressed that the situation in Ukraine is central to UK and European security. The Prime Minister told the President that the Budget would increase the UK’s financial support for Ukraine by £10 billion.
The package has three parts:
- £500 million of additional military support from the Ministry of Defence, to plug urgent gaps in Ukraine’s air defences this winter,
- £7 billion of economic support available over three years,
- a further £3 billion in capacity at UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency, prioritised for military support.
The Prime Minister called it the biggest financial package the UK has ever committed to Ukraine. The Chancellor said London would keep stepping up sanctions to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. The leaders also discussed the upcoming European Political Community meeting. They agreed it should be used to secure more support for Ukraine from partners.
What it means for you
For Poles in the UK, this is a sign that London is not scaling back its support for Ukraine, and that the security of Europe, including Poland, remains a priority for the new government. For businesses, the part delivered through UK Export Finance matters. It is the agency that supports British exporters with loans and guarantees. A larger pot for Ukraine could mean orders for firms in defence and reconstruction supply chains, including Polish companies registered in the UK.
Our assessment
The readout confirms the Budget figures and shows that the Burnham government is opting for long-term, multi-year support rather than one-off gestures. Most of the money, however, is economic and credit support spread over time, not immediate cash. The real effect will depend on how fast it is paid out and whether other partners put in similar sums.
What to do
- Read the full readout on GOV.UK.
- If your company wants to export or supply goods and services to Ukraine, look at what UK Export Finance offers.
- Before working with counterparties in the East, check the current rules on the UK sanctions on Russia page.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street, GOV.UK – Prime Minister and Chancellor’s call with the President of Ukraine: 28 October 2026 (28 October 2026).
GOV.UK press release under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Translation and editing: THE BUSINESS TIME editorial team.
We assess factual corrections and substantive responses. Verified changes are reflected in our reporting.
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