The British government is considering sending its troops to Ukraine to train soldiers.
The declaration, made during an announcement of a £225 million military package, is intended to increase the United Kingdom’s “international leadership on Ukraine,” a statement from the Ministry of Defence says.
According to the news release, the package will “increase Ukraine’s military capability with new maritime drones and boats, air defence systems, and counter-drone systems.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said, “Nearly three years after Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion, the depths of his miscalculation are clearer than ever, as the brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their unbreakable spirit.”
He noted that the U.K. will “enhance our offer of training to Ukraine and provide battle-winning capabilities, such as the drones and munitions included in our new £225m package today.”
“Our support for Ukraine is ironclad, and during my meetings in Kyiv today, I made clear the UK’s support will continue for as long as it takes, regardless of the situation in Ukraine, and that we will always stand shoulder to shoulder to ensure Putin cannot win,” Healey added.
Speaking to The Times of London, Healey said the U.K. needs to “make the training a better fit for what the Ukrainians need.”
When asked if this includes sending soldiers to Ukraine, he said, “We will look wherever we can to respond to what the Ukrainians want. They are the ones fighting.”
Since the summer of 2022, the U.K. has trained more than 51,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The program, called Operation Interflex, was based in U.K. soil.
