THE Britain supports its inclusion Ukrainian in the NATO and “that way is open” for them, although political realities may slow the process, said the UK’s defense secretary, Ben Wallace on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue event on security in Singapore.

He noted that membership cannot be admitted during a war and that the appropriate course is to continue supporting and equipping Ukraine for short- and long-term security.

“The best thing we can do to help Ukraine right now is to help it defeat Russia,” said Ben Wallace. “After that, to make sure they are ready, capable and resilient.”

Ukraine’s accession to NATO is on the agenda of the Atlantic Alliance summit in Vilnius. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev wants “a clear decision” on its accession during the Vilnius summit.

Hanna Celeste, director of Ukrainian Prism, which specializes in foreign policy and international security, said in Singapore that joining NATO would be a political decision.

“We don’t expect to see a strong decision (on Ukraine’s accession) in Vilnius,” Hana Celeste said. “But at the very least we’re hoping for a detailed road map.”

Britain, along with Western allies, has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of military aid and weapons systems since the Russian invasion. More recently, London has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which have achieved 100% success in hitting targets, according to Ben Wallace.

Security guarantees to Ukraine are also on the table, the British defense secretary said, noting that such guarantees can be expressed in mutual defense agreements up to the supply of arms and ammunition.

In Asia, Britain is committed to supporting the US and its allies and maintaining freedom of navigation in the oceans, Ben Wallace said, noting that two British warships are in the region and will be increased.

British help to Australia to develop the next generation of submarines under the AUKUS deal is “incredibly important to all of us”, he said.

“The rise of China, the scale of China’s military investment, inevitably… encourages like-minded allies in the region and the world to work together even more.”

Ben Wallace’s name has been floated as a possible successor to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He said he “wouldn’t say no if offered the position”, but it was up to the member states to decide.