The war in Ukraine can last “very long” and Britain must prepare for it, the British Defense Minister said.
On May 11, Congressman Defense People and Veterans Leo Docherty commented in the House of Commons after Conservative Rep. James Sunderland asked about “policy resilience.”
Sunderland asked the Minister how long Britain’s current level of support for Ukraine will continue. “If the dispute lasts months or years, it’s a friction campaign.”
Docherty replied: Since 2014, we have built a very close defense relationship. “
He said the war has moved to a “fascinating” stage and will continue “at the tragic and serious sacrifice of the Russian state.”
“I can’t guess how long it will last, but I think we have to be prepared for it to last for a very very long time,” he said.
He added that Britain should be “relieved” due to the fact that Britain and its allies in Western Europe “are determined to see this.”
The Minister of Defense went to the House of Commons to answer urgent questions from the major opposition Labor Party, which accused the Conservative government of leaving a “defensive black hole” on the legislative agenda announced in the Queen’s Speech on May 10. Appeared.
Labor’s shadow Secretary of State for Defense John Healey has urged the government to supply Ukraine with NATO weapons and “rethink military cuts.”
In response, Mr Dougherty said the Ukrainian army is seeing “revitalization of the wholesale system” thanks to military aid from Britain.
Regarding the reduction of British troops, the minister said, “Thanks to the £ 24 billion ($ 30 billion) increase in defense spending, we are in good shape and at an appropriate scale.”
He also provided up-to-date information on the support provided to Ukraine so far, including more than 6,900 new anti-tank missiles, further consignment of Javelin anti-tank missiles, and eight air defense systems.
He reiterated his promise to send an additional 300 missiles, armored fighting vehicles, and other assistance, including an “anti-ship system,” as well as further humanitarian assistance.
On May 7, the British government pledged £ 1.3 billion ($ 1.6 billion) of additional military assistance to Ukraine to maintain its continued resistance to Russia’s aggression.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain was “the first country to recognize the magnitude of the threat and send weapons to help Ukrainians defend themselves.”
“We support our efforts in cooperation with our allies so that Ukraine can continue to push back Russia’s aggression and survive as a free and democratic country,” he said.
PA Media contributed to this report.
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