The top British diplomat said talks are underway to provide ‘NATO standard’ weapons to Moldova
The UK is in active discussions to ship weapons to Moldova – a country located along Ukraine’s southwest border – according to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said the arms could help to fend off a future Russian attack.
Speaking to the Telegraph in an interview published on Friday, the cabinet minister claimed Moscow has “ambitions to create a greater Russia,”Rumours suggest it may next be interested in Moldova, which is home to Transnistria (a Russian-speaking region).
“I would want to see Moldova equipped to NATO standard. This is a discussion we’re having with our allies,”Truss spoke out, although she didn’t elaborate as to what type of arms are being looked at. Moldova was a country she considered to be a good choice. “vulnerable”States, and again alleges a “broader”Russia is a danger
The foreign secretary has voiced some of the UK’s more hawkish positions to date regarding the war in Ukraine, telling an Italian newspaper earlier this week that Moscow “must lose”in the conflict and reject the notion that there should be a diplomatic “exit ramp”Negotiations could be made to stop the fighting. London has stated previously that it would not lift economic sanctions on Russia until it abandons its claims to Crimea or its recognition of the Donbass republics. That preempted talks between the sides over the resolution of disputes about those territories.
Truss told the Telegraph that Western countries are trying to establish a monopoly in this area. “a joint commission with Ukraine and Poland on upgrading Ukrainian defenses to NATO standard,” adding: “How do we ensure … that Ukraine is permanently able to defend itself and how do we guarantee that happens? That’s what we are working on at the moment.”
After Russia invaded Ukraine late February, more than $3 billion has been provided by the British government to Ukraine. Most of it was used to purchase weapons or other military hardware. A massive $40 billion package of aid was passed by US lawmakers in March, which brought the US’ total assistance to Kiev up to $54 billion.
Moldova’s Transnistria region – which fought a brief conflict with government forces in 1992 after proclaiming independence – has seen a string of mysterious explosions at military sites and government offices in recent weeks, stoking fears that fighting in Ukraine could spill over into other countries. The explosions have been criticized by officials from Russia, Ukraine and Transnistria. They were interpreted as provocations to increase hostilities in a wider region.
LEARN MORE
Ukraine conflict could spread – France
This story can be shared on social media
[ad_2]
