Britain provides first aid kits for Ukrainian army

Britain will provide around 500,000 pounds (712,350 U.S. dollars) worth of first aid kits to help the Ukrainian armed forces "treat casualties," British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon announced Monday.

The first aid kits will help the Ukrainian armed forces to "meet an urgent need for life-saving equipment," the British Ministry of Defense (MoD) said in a statement.

The aid package, delivered at the request of the Ukrainian government, will help the Ukrainian armed forces "treat casualties, strengthen their defensive capability and build their resilience," Fallon said.

Britain had previously gifted non-lethal equipment, including helmets, night-vision goggles and global positioning systems, to Ukraine.

Cold weather protective clothing and field tents will also be delivered in the coming weeks, Fallon added.

Apart from equipment, Britain has also provided training to the Ukrainian armed forces in areas of medical skills, logistics, infantry and intelligence capacity building, according to the MoD.

The deep political and economic crisis that has gripped Ukraine for two years is now easing, as the conflict in its eastern region has partially subsided in recent months.

Ukraine's relations with the West in general have strengthened since the crisis in its eastern region began, but its ties with Russia, which used to be Kiev's essential trade and political partner for decades, have further deteriorated over the past two years. Endit