Training for Ukrainian troops in UK to be expanded to jet pilots and marines
Ukrainian military personnel on training in Great Britain (Photo:Ben Birchall/Pool via REUTERS)
The training program for Ukrainian forces in the United Kingdom will be expanded to include fighter pilots and marines, British national broadcaster BBC reported on Feb. 8, referring to the sources in the government.
The U.S. political news outlet Politico wrote that, while no decision on the supply of fighter jets to Ukraine has been made, the “internal debate” on the matter is underway – referring to European military officials and diplomats. Still, fears of “escalation" prevent some countries from making a positive decision on the matter.
Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson called on the UK to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with everything they need, especially F-16 fighter jets. Responding to that call, Ben Wallace, the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence, said that the UK had not made any firm decision on the ‘aircraft for Ukraine’ issue.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian military in the UK on Feb. 8.
It is to be Zelenskyy's first visit to the UK and his second trip abroad since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His previous trip included stops in the U.S. and Poland.
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