All G7 allies are set to sign a long-term security arrangement with Ukraine that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said could “return peace to Europe”.
The accord marks the first time that so many countries have agreed on a comprehensive, multi-year security arrangement with another country.
Mr Sunak said the UK had played a leading role in the pact.
Wednesday’s G7 declaration, which is expected to be ratified on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is set to provide more defence equipment, increase and accelerate intelligence sharing and bolster support for cyber defence.
It plans to expand training programmes and military exercises, while developing Ukrainian industry, Downing Street said.
Mr Sunak used an address to the Munich security conference in February to say why the international community had a duty to ensure Ukraine was never again left vulnerable to Russian aggression.
He pushed for the country to be put in the best possible position for any future ceasefire negotiations.
Mr Sunak, who arrived in Vilnius saying he was keen to get a non-Nato deal “over the line”, said the agreement would be a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counter-offensive, and the degradation of Russian forces begins to infect Putin’s front line, we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term," he said.
“We can never see a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine and this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again.
“Supporting their progress on the pathway to Nato membership, coupled with formal, multilateral and bilateral agreements, and the overwhelming support of Nato members, will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe.”
500 days of war in Ukraine - in pictures
Downing Street did not set out more precise details about the G7 pact but reports have suggested that the multi-country agreement with Kyiv could emulate the defence agreement between the US and Israel.
Washington and Israel have a military and technology deal to give the country protection in the Middle East but without offering a Nato-style clause to come to its aid during a time of attack.
The UK has also announced its plans to deliver more than 70 combat and logistics vehicles to Ukraine.
The British Army vehicles will be given to Ukraine to boost its counter-offensive.
Officials say the vehicles will ensure front line forces have the means to carry ammunition and equipment, move injured soldiers and recover damaged vehicles.
Thousands of additional rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition will be immediately delivered to Ukraine as part of the package.
A £50 million ($64.6 million) equipment support contract will sustain what the UK has already provided to Ukraine, including spare parts, technical support and maintenance training.
The UK will also launch a project through Nato to establish a medical rehabilitation centre to support the recovery and return of soldiers to Ukraine’s lines of defence after they are injured in combat.
The centre will be paired with the UK’s world-leading Stanford Hall, drawing on UK expertise and support to accelerate recovery and reduce the long-term impacts of war.
The centre will treat the most severely injured, helping them to adapt to prothesis, relearn to walk and regain confidence and ambition for the future.
For those less severely injured, the centre will accelerate their recovery, helping them to return to the Armed Forces to defend Ukraine.
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE) 68 72 69 67 - 4-under
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
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FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Visa changes give families fresh hope
Foreign workers can sponsor family members based solely on their income
Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of Dh 4,000 or Dh 3,000 plus accommodation.
Attested original marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child, ejari or rental contract, labour contract, salary certificate must be submitted to the government authorised typing centre to complete the sponsorship process
In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any profession related to the medical sector and her monthly salary is at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.
In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in the above categories she can get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than Dh 10,000 and with a special permission from the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai.
To sponsor parents, a worker should earn Dh20,000 or Dh19,000 a month, plus a two-bedroom accommodation
