NATO’s current line is to provide Ukraine with intelligence data, training and weapons. But officially there are no NATO troops in Ukraine. Will there be a change of course now? British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps spoke in a newspaper interview about his country’s plans to send soldiers to Ukraine – as military trainers.
Shapps told the Sunday Telegraph that he had already discussed a deployment with representatives of the armed forces. Training camps in the war-torn country would “relieve pressure” on NATO bases in Britain and other alliance states, the Briton said, explaining his plans. According to reports, by the end of the year, more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers will have received training in various types of weapons in eleven NATO countries.
If there is actually a transfer of soldiers, this could lead to further escalation in Ukraine. Because it would be the first time that NATO soldiers were in a country where war was being waged against Russia. Shapps did not provide a timetable for the relocation of the training missions. However, Britain has now built a reputation for being at the forefront of military support for Ukraine, for example by supplying modern main battle tanks. Other Western allies were often quick to follow the British model.
Defense Industry Alliance in Ukraine?
Shapps also called on British defense companies to open factories in Ukraine to facilitate and speed up production and maintenance work. Only on Saturday, Ukrainian Head of State Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of a defense industry alliance at a forum with representatives of international defense companies in Kiev. “I am not talking only about Ukraine, but about the security against aggression of every country in the world,” he emphasized in a speech to arms manufacturers. Accordingly, 252 companies from more than 30 countries participated in the defense industry forum.
The British minister also revealed to the Telegraph that he had also discussed with Ukrainian leaders the possibility of using the British Navy to protect merchant ships in the Black Sea.
Moscow: Military trainers would be legitimate targets
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev described possible British military trainers in Ukraine as legitimate targets. The same goes for German weapons factories if Germany supplies Taurus missile systems to Ukraine.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
