Fallon reaffirms UK’s commitment to Ukraine

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has declared that the UK stands firmly alongside Ukraine as the British Army prepares to broaden training package to all of the country’s armed forces.

Speaking in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Fallon said that the UK will deliver training to Ukraine’s Air Force as well as its Army and Navy.

In a meeting with Defence Minister of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak, Fallon confirmed that the UK’s short-term training teams (STTTs) will have trained 5,000 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the end of March - 1,000 more than initially planned - and will now continue in their training role for another year.

During the visit, Fallon also agreed to ‘explore how Britain’s training efforts in Ukraine could be maximised to produce long-term benefits on the ground, delivering a more comprehensive approach including by Train the Trainer (T3)’.

According to the Defence Secretary, moving to this method of training would entrench the impact of Britain’s support within Ukraine’s armed forces for years to come.

Fallon commented: “The values of freedom and democracy cannot be traded. Britain is stepping up on the global stage and standing firm with our Ukrainian friends.

“The UK is sending a clear message that we are committed to defending democracy across the world and support Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”