British Finance Minister visits Kyiv for the first time: what is known

On Saturday, June 27, British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves was in Kyiv, but her visit was not publicly announced.

This was reported by European Pravda with reference to a comment from the British government's press service and Suspilne, to which Reeves provided a comment.

It is indicated that Reeves arrived in Kyiv on June 27, but her visit was not publicly announced until its completion. The visit was a continuation of talks with colleagues at the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Gdańsk.

During the trip, the minister met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and representatives of Ukrainian and British defense companies, at the meeting she was shown advanced mil-tech achievements - in particular those that are the subject of cooperation.

Late in the evening on June 27, she published a photo from Kyiv.

We stand with Ukraine, always. 🇺🇦🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/qXynVRU3WZ

— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) June 27, 2026

"I have clearly stated, and the British government has repeatedly emphasized: we would be ready to use not only the profits, but also the frozen russian assets themselves to support Ukraine in the war against russia," Reeves told Suspilne.

She added that this is possible only if there is a joint decision by partners in the European Union and the G7 countries. According to her, if such an agreement is reached, London is fully ready to transfer these assets to the Ukrainians.

Reeves also spoke about the Defense Investment Plan, which will be released on the eve of the NATO summit. According to her, the document provides for a significant increase in defense funding, and the funds will be spent more efficiently, in accordance with modern challenges and new ways of waging war.

The minister explained that the new accounting rules allow her government to take into account capital expenditures differently. It is these that the United Kingdom mainly provides to Ukraine - for the restoration of the energy infrastructure destroyed by the russians and for the purchase of military equipment.

During the trip, Reeves honored the fallen Ukrainian defenders near the wall of memory on the wall of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral. She was also shown the consequences of the Shahed hit on the Assumption Cathedral and the views from the hills of Kyiv near the Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II. She also visited a rehabilitation center for children with disabilities, the support of which is provided by Britain.

In addition, Reeves, passing through Shevchenko Park, stopped to play chess with ordinary Kyiv residents she met there.

At the same time, Reeves is a minister in the government of Keir Starmer, who decided to resign. Officially, the competition for the post of leader of the Labour Party will begin only in July, but the most likely next Prime Minister is considered to be former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

As a reminder, Vice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Lammy stated that the country's foreign policy, in particular support for Ukraine, will remain unchanged when the reins of power pass to the new Prime Minister after Keir Starmer's resignation.

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