Britain explores possibility of stationing troops in Ukraine to help train soldiers

In an interview with The Sunda Telegraph, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said that the country is studying the possibility of stationing British military personnel on Ukrainian territory. This force will play a role in training soldiers and officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

“I have spoken to the British General Staff about bringing training closer to the Ukrainian border in the future, as well as to Ukraine itself. I think that, not only will it be about on-site military training, but we will also help Ukraine promote the production of weapons and ammunition at home,” the British Defense Secretary said.

Mr. Grant Shapps also said that he discussed those plans with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Kiev on September 27.

The British Defense Secretary stressed that, together with other NATO member states, London will work to improve interoperability with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and contribute to Ukraine's membership of the NATO alliance.

So far, no NATO member has publicly taken such steps. Most have preferred to train Ukrainian troops in a third country, to minimize the risk to Western troops and avoid escalating the conflict.