Current:Home > NewsThe UK defense secretary suggests British training of Ukrainian soldiers could move into Ukraine-InfoLens
The UK defense secretary suggests British training of Ukrainian soldiers could move into Ukraine
View Date:2024-12-23 11:52:54
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new defense secretary has suggested that British military training of Ukrainian soldiers, which currently takes place in U.K. bases, could move into western Ukraine.
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Grant Shapps said he was in discussion with the British army about “eventually getting the training brought closer and actually into Ukraine as well.”
However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was quick to rule out speculation that British forces were being deployed to Ukraine imminently. Shapps’ suggestion was not for the “hear and now,” Sunak told reporters, but a possibility “for the long term.”
“There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. That’s not what’s happening,” Sunak said.
More than 23,500 recruits from Ukraine have received combat training in army bases across the U.K. since the start of 2022, receiving instruction on skills including weapons handling and battlefield first aid. Earlier this year Britain’s government committed to training a further 20,000 recruits.
The training is part of a broader package of support for Ukraine that includes a pledge of 2.3 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) of anti-tank weapons, rocket systems and other hardware this year.
Shapps, who took over as defense secretary from his predecessor Ben Wallace in August, said he also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week about Britain’s Royal Navy helping to defend commercial vessels in the Black Sea. He did not provide details.
He added that U.K. defense companies should consider setting up production in Ukraine.
“Particularly in the west of the country, I think the opportunity now is to bring more things in country, and not just training. We’re seeing BAE, for example, move into manufacturing in country,” he said, referring to the leading British defense and aerospace manufacturer. “I’m keen to see other British companies do their bit as well by doing the same thing.”
___
For more coverage of the war in Ukraine, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
veryGood! (13261)
Related
- Denver district attorney is investigating the leak of voting passwords in Colorado
- Actor Tom Hollander received 'astonishing' Marvel check meant for Tom Holland
- Chipotle wants to hire 19,000 workers ahead of 'burrito season', adds new benefits
- US and UK sanction four Yemeni Houthi leaders over Red Sea shipping attacks
- Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
- Justin Timberlake will perform a free concert in New York City: How to score tickets
- Eva Mendes Defends Ryan Gosling From Barbie Hate After Oscar Nomination
- Do Stanley cups contain lead? What you should know about claims, safety of the tumblers
- Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to US House in Washington
- Florida deputy fatally shoots 81-year-old after she lunged at him with knife: Officials
Ranking
- Justine Bateman feels like she can breathe again in 'new era' after Trump win
- Live updates | Death toll rises to 12 with dozens injured in a strike on a crowded Gaza shelter
- Teenage fugitive in Philadelphia may have been picked up by accomplice, authorities say
- When and where to see the Wolf Moon, first full moon of 2024
- Deommodore Lenoir contract details: 49ers ink DB to $92 million extension
- Brazil’s former intelligence boss investigated in probe of alleged political spying, official says
- Danish report underscores ‘systematic illegal behavior’ in adoptions of children from South Korea
- A pair of UK museums return gold and silver artifacts to Ghana under a long-term loan arrangement
Recommendation
-
LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
-
Woman, 41, gives birth on sidewalk, drags baby by umbilical cord, Hawaii police say
-
Army Corps of Engineers failed to protect dolphins in 2019 spillway opening, lawsuit says
-
United Auto Workers endorses Biden's reelection bid
-
Voters in California city reject measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local races
-
Man who killed 3 in English city of Nottingham sentenced to high-security hospital, likely for life
-
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake rocks Southern California, rattling residents
-
Sex and the City Fans Won’t Believe How Much Money Carrie Bradshaw’s Tutu Just Sold For