UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Denies Immediate Deployment of Military Instructors to Ukraine.
By Caroline Ameh
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dispelled earlier comments made by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps regarding the deployment of military instructors to Ukraine.
Sunak stated this on Sunday that there are currently no immediate plans to send British troops to Ukraine, highlighting the importance of avoiding a formal military presence in Ukraine to reduce the risk of direct conflict with Russia.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who assumed the role just last month, had expressed his intention to deploy military instructors to Ukraine and provide training to Ukrainian armed forces either in Britain or other Western countries.
However, Sunak clarified that Shapps was referring to a potential long-term strategy, emphasizing that British soldiers would not be sent to engage in the ongoing conflict.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev responded by asserting that any British soldiers training Ukrainian troops in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets by Russian forces.
Over the past year, the United Kingdom has conducted five-week military training courses for approximately 20,000 Ukrainian individuals and intends to continue this effort by training a similar number in the future.
In his address at the Conservative party conference, Shapps did not directly address his earlier comments but emphasized the dire situation in Ukraine, stating that the war was taking a toll on both lives and resources at an alarming rate. He affirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.
Meanwhile, former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace revealed that he had urged the prime minister to increase military support to Ukraine by more than £2 billion, representing a 50% increase.
Wallace, who stepped down from his position in August, urged the UK to maintain its role as Ukraine’s largest military supporter in Europe, a position that has recently been challenged by Germany.
No. 10 Downing Street has not yet responded to Wallace’s remarks but is reportedly seeking input from the Ministry of Defence on future spending.
The debate regarding the level of support for Ukraine is also gaining momentum internationally, with President Joe Biden urging increased funding for Kyiv in the United States, and Slovakia’s former Prime Minister Robert Fico vowing to withdraw his country’s military support for Ukraine after winning parliamentary elections.
