The UK are to explore options to deploy military bases and defence facilities in Ukraine under the 100-year “friendship” deal signed on Thursday by the British Prime Minister and the Ukrainian President.
The UK will work with Ukraine to collaborate on capabilities and will look at options to deploy and maintain defence infrastructure.
The declaration between Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky reads, “The UK will work with Ukraine to identify common military requirements, collaborate on capabilities to broaden the spectrum of capabilities and technologies we can produce together.
“The Participants will explore options for deploying and maintaining defence infrastructure in Ukraine, including military bases, logistics depots, reserve military equipment storage facilities and war reserve stockpiles.
“These facilities could be utilized to bolster their own defence capabilities in the event of a significant military threat.”
The UK and Ukraine intend to “cooperate in the creation of flexible rapid response mechanisms, including the creation, maintenance and joint use of military formations and other specialized structures to provide a wide range of mutual defence and security services.
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“These mechanisms will make it possible to respond to challenges that may arise on territory of each other, and, if necessary, on territories of allied and other states.”
The UK will “expand their contribution” to the Western fighter jet coalition which includes “intensifying language training, assisting coalition partners to increase F-16s for Ukraine, and exploring supplying Ukraine with other fighter jets used by NATO.”
The UK and Ukraine will also hold naval drills and will develop their navies which “could include joint activities, exercises and port visits.”
The “UK and Ukraine will offer joint training opportunities for UK and Ukrainian personnel at national military educational institutions,” who will also “promote development of naval bases on the territory of Ukraine.”
The declaration continues, “NATO membership is the best guarantee of Ukraine’s security.
“The UK is committed to Ukraine’s irreversible path to membership. The UK will continue working with Allies and Ukraine through NATO Ukraine Council to support Ukraine’s reform efforts, and advance Ukraine’s membership aspirations.”
