UK Defense Secretary in Kyiv to talk NATO and weapons
Ben Wallace and Oleksii Reznikov (Photo:Дмитро (Орест) Козацький/Міністерство оборони України)
UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has arrived in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported on May 24.
The officials discussed the prospects of Ukraine’s NATO membership in the context of the July summit in Vilnius, as well as priorities regarding armaments.
“Especially regarding weapons that make it possible to hit the enemy at long distances, such as Storm Shadow (missiles),” said Reznikov.
Wallace explained that London had provided Ukraine with long-range missiles due to Russia’s constant use of its long-range weapons against the civilian population and infrastructure.
Reznikov noted Britain’s leadership in the transfer of other types of weapons. Speaking about the military aid, he said there was “a lot more that I can’t say at the moment.”
U.S. television channel CNN reported on May 11 that the United Kingdom had already supplied Kyiv with several Storm Shadow missiles capable of striking targets from distances of over 250km.
UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace officially confirmed this information, emphasizing that the missiles would be used only on the country’s sovereign territory.
The United Kingdom will send hundreds of new long-range attack drones with a range of over 200 kilometers to Ukraine, the UK government said in a statement on May 15.
The United Kingdom, together with the Netherlands, headed the “fighter jet coalition” and will start training Ukrainian pilots in the summer.
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