A response to a written question has revealed the extent of British support for the defence of Ukraine.
Andrew Rosindell, Member of Parliament for Romford, posed a written Parliamentary question:
“To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps the Government is taking to safeguard Ukrainian defence and security.”
Mark Lancaster, Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, replied:
“The UK remains a steadfast partner to Ukraine as it faces continued acts of aggression and threats to its sovereignty.
British personnel have been involved in the training mission, Operation Orbital since February 2015; in this time they have trained over 13,000 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. During a visit in September 2018 the Secretary of State for Defence extended Operation Orbital to March 2020.
In November 2018, Russia seized three Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors. In response the Secretary of State accelerated the deployment of HMS Echo into the Black Sea, clearly demonstrating the UK’s unwavering support both to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The UK continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside the international community in calling for the immediate release of the sailors.
This year Operation Orbital has delivered support and mentoring to the Ukrainian Navy through training teams consisting of personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Army. The UK and Ukrainian Armed Forces will also gain further opportunities to develop capability and share expertise by committing to bilateral and multilateral exercises later this year. The Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has stated on several occasions that Operation Orbital has saved lives.
Finally, the UK remains committed to supporting Ukraine as it implements wide-ranging reforms, including those set out in their Strategic Defence Bulletin. We view supporting defence reform, and reform more broadly, as a key priority in our bilateral engagement and in relation to Ukraine’s EU and NATO aspirations. The UK has an assistance programme focused on Defence Reform and institution-building, as well as transparency in procurement and anti-corruption. This programme is facilitated by our Special Defence Advisor, embedded within the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.”
Not our problem.
The same people were telling in Europe when Hitler and Stalin had already started to slice countries before that reached them. You may wait if you wish.
Entirely our problem as we, along with the US and Russia, guaranteed Ukraine’s borders in exchange for them giving up their nuclear weapons.
What is that vehicle? Soviet era BMP BTR?
Yes.
BTR 80 or 60
Ta dave and the Cap.
you’re entirely welcome Daniele .
Oh and the Truck Is probably a Gaz 66.
Loving the Downvotes, looks like the Kids are having fun tonight. Bless them.
Could be either.
When I saw it on my phone I immediately thought it was one of our Fuchs. The small turret gave it away when I looked closer.
No idea what the difference is between them myself without googling it.
Nothing to do with us.
At what point does it become a real NATO /our problem? Historically the Ukraine lost land to Poland before the USSR annexed the country back in the 1920’s, whats to stop a Ukraine backed by Russia laying claim to part of the south east of Poland? Or Russia trying a similar destabilising program of the Baltic states. Better to be proactive now rather than get pulled into something that could get very messy, just my opinion of course
“…In exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons, Ukraine received financial compensation, as well as the security guarantees of the Budapest Memorandum. Budapest Memorandum Main article: Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances On December 5, 1994 the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Britain and the United States signed a memorandum to provide Ukraine with security assurances in connection with its accession to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state.”… “4. The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America reaffirm their commitment to seek immediate United Nations Security Council action to provide assistance… Read more »
“Steps taken to ensure Ukraine security” Russia could take the rest of the country no problem. Not sure how the MoD could make this statement?