The UK won’t ship troops to battle or immediately assist army operations in Ukraine, David Lammy has stated.
The Foreign Secretary stated “there has been a longstanding position that we are not committing UK troops to the theatre of action”, including that London would proceed to assist Kyiv by help and coaching.
Tensions between Russia and the West have considerably escalated in current days after US President Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to make use of American-supplied long-range missiles to assault targets inside Russia.
Le Monde reported on Monday that France and the UK are “not ruling out” sending troops and personal defence corporations to Ukraine.
The debate over sending troops to Ukraine was relaunched after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s go to to France for the November 11 commemorations, in response to the French newspaper.
But when he was requested concerning the report in an interview, Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated the UK’s longstanding place to not ship troops on the bottom in Ukraine had not modified.
“We are very clear that we stand ready and continue to support the Ukrainians with training particularly, but there has been a longstanding position that we are not committing UK troops to the theatre of action ,” he informed newspapers La Repubblica, Le Monde and Die Welt on the G7 overseas ministers’ assembly in Italy.
“That is certainly the UK position, and remains the UK position at this time.”
Asked if that included contractors, he stated: “We are not committing UK troops on the ground to Ukraine, but we continue to support Ukraine with training and military assistance, and we have been absolutely clear that we will continue to do that for as long as is required and is needed.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman stated there are “no plans” to ship troops to Ukraine.
He added: “We’ve previously had a limited number of troops providing medical training.
“And after all, we have had a big coaching programme right here within the UK for Ukrainian troops, and we have been offering vital quantities of army help assist for Ukraine, which we’re dedicated to offering for so long as it takes.
“And UK support is unwavering, and we obviously want to put Ukraine in the best possible position as winter approaches, but we’re not considering putting UK troops in combat alongside Ukrainian troops.”
The spokesman stated he was not conscious of Sir Keir discussing this when he lately visited Paris and met with President Emmanuel Macron.
Tensions have escalated over Ukraine in current days.
As President Biden prepares to depart the White House and hand over to Donald Trump, he gave permission for Kyiv to fireside the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
Storm Shadow missiles equipped to Ukraine by Britain have been additionally fired into Russia final week.
Russia then used a brand new ballistic missile in Ukraine in response.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated he was entitled to focus on the army services of nations that had equipped weapons to Kyiv, claiming that the Ukraine battle was changing into a “global” battle.
French overseas minister Jean-Noel Barrot informed the BBC Western allies shouldn’t put any limits on their assist for Ukraine in opposition to Russia.
Asked if this might even imply French troops in fight, he stated: “We do not discard any option.”
London and Paris wish to create a “core of allies in Europe” as fears intensify that President-elect Donald Trump might withdraw army assist for Ukraine, Le Monde claimed.
British and French troops could possibly be amongst European allies deployed to discourage the Kremlin from attacking Ukraine once more, if a ceasefire have been to be agreed.
And they may prepare Ukrainian forces, much like how they did earlier than Moscow ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A British army supply informed French newspaper Le Monde: “Discussions are underway between the UK and France regarding defence cooperation, particularly with the aim of creating a core of allies in Europe, focused on Ukraine and broader European security.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna informed the Financial Times final week: “If we are talking about real security guarantees, it means that there will be a just peace.
“Then we are talking about Nato membership. But without the US, it is impossible. And then we are talking about any form [of guarantee] in the meaning of boots on the ground.”
President-elect Donald Trump is alleged to have informed his group European armies ought to patrol an 800-mile stretch of japanese Ukraine to finish the battle.
Many throughout the continent concern Mr Trump’s re-election will result in a halt in American army help.
In alternate, the US would give Ukrainian troops weapons to discourage Russia from restarting the battle.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1980677/david-lammy-british-troops-ukraine-update