Ben Wallace: The UK remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine

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The Speaker of the US House of Representatives was seen attending the question and answer session with Ben Wallace, alongside Congressman Adam Smith, chair of the House Armed Service Committee. Mr Wallace said: “In times like these we need each other more than ever.”

Western leaders fear that Russia may mount an invasion on Ukraine any day, with Mr Wallace telling the Commons that there were now 110 battalions of Russian troops on the border.

Last night, Boris Johnson told the BBC that intelligence suggests Russia is planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945”.

The Prime Minister added: “All the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he will decide “today” about recognising the independence of Ukraine’s two Russian-backed separatist regions, which would further escalate the crisis.

Tobias Ellwood, chair of the Defence Select Committee, recently travelled to Ukraine.

Mr Ellwood joined Mr Wallace in welcoming “our American friends” to the House of Commons.

He said: “Last week I saw first-hand how UK and American efforts are working hard to support our friends in Ukraine, so could I commend both Governments for their efforts.

“But I still remain concerned that NATO – the most formidable military alliance in the world – could have collectively done more in previous months to deter an invasion, but chose to hide behind the fact that Ukraine is not a NATO member.

“Yes, we’ve shored up our NATO flanks, but that still leaves Ukraine exposed. Will the Secretary of State agree that Ukrainian security is European security, and by committing a greater support to Ukraine we are trying to prevent a war rather than start one?

“And with a threat of invasion imminent, could I also call for the Secretary of State to provide more military support to Ukraine?”

Mr Wallace responded: “I fully agree with my Right Honourable friend that Ukraine is part of Europe.

“Ukrainians consider themselves European, and it is absolutely the case that the ripples of anything that happens in Ukraine will be felt right across Europe, whether they are in NATO or not.”

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Answering another question on UK’s military size, the Defence Secretary said the size of the armed forces should be “threat-led”, and that he was “minded” to keep it at the same number of troops presently.

He added: “Let’s also reflect that what we see in Ukraine is that our real strength is our alliances; 30 countries in NATO is the strongest way to achieve mass against a force such as Russia.

“That’s why NATO remains strong and united.”

In January, the UK sent defensive anti-tank weapons to Ukraine to bolster their defences amid a growing Russian presence on the border.

However, it has had a joint military framework since 2015, under which it signed an agreement to help build a naval base in the Sea of Azov.

The deal signed between the UK and Ukraine last year also agreed the joint production of eight fast missile warships, the training of Ukrainian naval personnel, and the sale of two refurbished Sandown-class mine countermeasure vessels.

In his opening remarks, Mr Wallace said: “The United Kingdom is unwavering in our support for Ukraine, along with allies and partners.

“We are committed to defending regional security, we have long supported Ukraine’s defence capability as well as regularly exercising with their armed forces, and via defence engagement channels.

“We must not allow Russia’s destabilising behaviour to influence territorial integrity of any other sovereign state. The UK remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine.”

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