The new British Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, has revealed that he held talks with military leaders about the possible deployment of British troops in Ukraine.
Shapps is proposing a training initiative in the country which, if implemented, would mark the first instance of British troops being stationed in Ukraine. Over the past year, Britain has conducted five-week military training courses for around 20,000 Ukrainians and plans to continue training a similar number in the future.
Shapps recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during talks in Kiev. He stated that this proposal under consideration would benefit the Ukrainian military and contribute to its training efforts. Currently, a multinational training programme, supported by 10 nations, has already imparted skills to more than 26,500 recruits and is on track to train more than 30,000 soldiers by the end of the year, according to the UK Ministry of Defense .
🇺🇦Ukraine can count on the United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Having heard the experiences of so many Ukrainians affected by this war, including the family I hosted in my home for a year, I am personally committed to working tirelessly alongside @RishiSunak to maintain UK military support pic.twitter .com/9b8xcf8Rna
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 28, 2023
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Shapps also revealed his discussions with Zelenskiy about the navy’s potential role in safeguarding merchant ships from Russian attacks in the Black Sea.
After a briefing with General Sir Patrick Sanders, the Chief of the General Staff and other senior staff at Salisbury Plain, Shapps mentioned his intention to bring training and production “in-country”, particularly in the western Ukraine. He stressed the need for British companies, such as BAE, to invest in manufacturing in Ukraine.
Shapps also addressed escalating tensions in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted cargo ships. He indicated that the UK is ready to support Ukraine in countering these threats, emphasizing the UK’s naval capabilities and the importance of ensuring that international shipping remains unhindered in these waters.
The UK has been actively involved in providing military aid to Ukraine, delivering billions in military assistance in 2022, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledging continued support in 2023. In addition, the UK was co-host of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in partnership with Ukraine. , raising substantial funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Grant Shapps, who took on the role of defense secretary in August, has faced criticism from some quarters over his experience, as this is his fifth cabinet post in a year. However, his recent discussions with Ukrainian leaders and military officers highlight the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing challenges.
If Russian troops were to kill British troops in Ukraine, it would represent a significant escalation in the regional military conflict.
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