The United Kingdom is set to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime capabilities in a significant 10-year security agreement, as reported by The Telegraph. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to be signed soon, commits to enhancing Kyiv’s naval assets, providing financial aid, and sharing intelligence in a bid to maintain Ukraine’s resistance against Russia.
This pact includes post-war security guarantees to deter future Moscow aggressions, with provisions for increased weapon deliveries and potential reapplication of sanctions. British officials have acknowledged Ukraine’s impressive maritime operations in the Black Sea, notably against Russian forces in Crimea, partly bolstered by British-supplied Brimstone missiles.
The agreement extends the UK’s recent initiative to lead a “Maritime Capability Coalition” with Norway, which plans to supply Ukraine with two Royal Navy mine-hunting ships. According to The Telegraph, a source close to the talks highlighted the deal’s significance in keeping Ukraine equipped and prepared for any future conflicts.
In a broader context, this development aligns with the G7 countries’ declaration for long-term protections for Ukraine, established earlier this year. Over 30 countries and the European Union are formulating individual long-term security pledges for Ukraine, using the framework agreed upon in July.
The Royal Navy’s ongoing involvement includes training Ukrainian specialists in de-mining operations and preparing for amphibious raids. Additionally, Britain has supplied ship-based Brimstone missiles, credited by Russian commentators for successful strikes in Crimea.
Defense sources have kept further details about the weapons to be sent under wraps, confirming only that they will encompass land and air assets, The Telegraph reported. The MoU also includes plans to enhance intelligence sharing, a response to Britain’s accurate prediction of Russia’s February invasion, which many European intelligence agencies failed to foresee.
Britain’s commitment includes maintaining the Operation Interflex training program, which has trained over 30,000 Ukrainian troops, marking the largest military training scheme on British soil since World War II.
On 13-14 December, in its first trade mission to Ukraine, the UK Government signed agreements with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry to bolster UK-Ukraine defense cooperation.
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