Current:Home > MarketsThe UK defense secretary suggests British training of Ukrainian soldiers could move into Ukraine-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
The UK defense secretary suggests British training of Ukrainian soldiers could move into Ukraine
View Date:2024-12-23 18:38:30
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! (8645)
Related
- Today Reveals Hoda Kotb's Replacement
- Is a 100-point performance possible for an NBA player in today's high-scoring game?
- Oscar Mayer to launch first vegan hot dog later this year
- Wayward 450-pound pig named Kevin Bacon hams it up for home security camera
- Massive dust storm reduces visibility, causes vehicle pileup on central California highway
- Detroit woman accused of smuggling meth into Michigan prison, leading to inmate’s fatal overdose
- Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas' Marriage Is Under Fire in Explosive RHONJ Season 14 Trailer
- Biden is hoping to use his State of the Union address to show a wary electorate he’s up to the job
- The state that cleared the way for sports gambling now may ban ‘prop’ bets on college athletes
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign donor says his Panera Bread restaurants will follow minimum wage law
Ranking
- Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
- Say cheese! Hidden Valley Ranch, Cheez-It join forces to create Cheezy Ranch
- Kid Cudi announces INSANO World Tour: Here's how to get tickets
- Luck strikes twice for Kentucky couple who lost, then found, winning lottery ticket
- DWTS' Gleb Savchenko Shares Why He Ended Brooks Nader Romance Through Text Message
- Garrison Brown's Final Texts That Concerned Mom Janelle Brown Before His Death Revealed by Police
- 75-year-old Phoenix man arrested in 42-year-old Kansas killing
- Which streamer will target password sharing next? The former HBO Max looks ready to make its play
Recommendation
-
Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
-
Texas approves land-swapping deal with SpaceX as company hopes to expand rocket-launch operations
-
Hotel California lyrics trial abruptly ends when New York prosecutors drop charges in court
-
American Express card data exposed in third-party breach
-
Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
-
These Are the 16 Best Supportive Swimsuits for Big Busts
-
Top remaining MLB free agents: Blake Snell leads the 13 best players still available
-
I don't want my president to be a TikTok influencer. Biden is wasting time making jokes.