“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscores our main goal. “To protect the United Kingdom by being ready to fight and win wars on land,” said the new British army chief.
British troops must prepare “to fight again in Europe” as the war in Ukraine continues, the new British army chief has warned.
General Sir Patrick Saunders took over command of the country’s army, succeeding General Sir Mark Carleton Smith on Monday, and spoke out on the challenges facing the West over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
«Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscores our main goal. Protecting the United Kingdom by being ready to fight and win wars on land“, he said.
“There is now an ardent need to create an army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating Russia in battle. he said, adding that “we are the generation that must prepare the Army to fight again in Europe».
He stressed that he was the first Chief of General Staff since 1941 to take command of the Army “in the shadow of a land war in Europe involving a continental power”.
It is recalled that on Friday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during a meeting in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, proposed the launch of a large training program for the Ukrainian armed forces – with the possibility of training up to 10,000 soldiers per 120 troops per day.
Johnson, who traveled to Kyiv in complete secrecy, said the purpose of the visit was to send “a simple and clear message to the Ukrainian people: the United Kingdom is by your side and we will be by your side until your final victory.” .
The two leaders discussed, on the one hand, the procurement of weapons systems and the further financial support of Ukraine, and on the other hand, the imposition of additional sanctions against Russia, as announced by the Ukrainian presidency.
The President of Ukraine welcomed the Prime Minister of Britain, calling Boris Johnson a “great friend”.
“Many days of this war have shown that Britain’s support for Ukraine is unwavering and resolute. “I am glad to see our great friend Boris Johnson back in Kyiv,” Zelensky said.
This was the second time that Boris Johnson had visited Kyiv since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
