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London: British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has revealed she wants to see Ukraine’s neighbour Moldova “equipped to NATO standard” to guard it against potential Russian aggression.
Truss said Britain is discussing the prospect with its allies, given Russian President Vladimir Putin has been “clear about his ambitions to create a greater Russia.” In an interview with The Telegraph daily, the foreign secretary said the aim is to ensure Ukraine is “permanently able to defend itself,” and this also applies to other “vulnerable states” such as Moldova, which is also not a NATO member. “What we’re working on at the moment is a joint commission with Ukraine and Poland on upgrading Ukrainian defences to NATO standard,” she said. “So we will scope out what that looks like, what the Ukrainians need. The question then is how do you maintain that over time? “How do we ensure that there is deterrence by denial, 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. (dpa)
“And that also applies to other vulnerable states such as Moldova.
Because again, the threat is broader from Russia, we also need to make sure that they are equipped to NATO standards.” Pressed on whether she wants to see Western weaponry and intelligence provided to Moldova, Truss said: “I would want to see Moldova equipped to NATO standard. This is a discussion we’re having with our allies.” Asked if this is because Russia poses a security threat to Moldova, she said: “Absolutely. I mean, Putin has been clear about his ambitions to create a greater Russia.
“And just because his attempts to take Kyiv weren’t successful doesn’t mean he’s abandoned those ambitions.” The Telegraph cited an aide as saying “NATO standard” would involve members of the alliance supplying modern equipment to replace gear from the Soviet era, and providing training in how to use it.
Truss said Britain is discussing the prospect with its allies, given Russian President Vladimir Putin has been “clear about his ambitions to create a greater Russia.” In an interview with The Telegraph daily, the foreign secretary said the aim is to ensure Ukraine is “permanently able to defend itself,” and this also applies to other “vulnerable states” such as Moldova, which is also not a NATO member. “What we’re working on at the moment is a joint commission with Ukraine and Poland on upgrading Ukrainian defences to NATO standard,” she said. “So we will scope out what that looks like, what the Ukrainians need. The question then is how do you maintain that over time? “How do we ensure that there is deterrence by denial, 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. (dpa)
“And that also applies to other vulnerable states such as Moldova.
Because again, the threat is broader from Russia, we also need to make sure that they are equipped to NATO standards.” Pressed on whether she wants to see Western weaponry and intelligence provided to Moldova, Truss said: “I would want to see Moldova equipped to NATO standard. This is a discussion we’re having with our allies.” Asked if this is because Russia poses a security threat to Moldova, she said: “Absolutely. I mean, Putin has been clear about his ambitions to create a greater Russia.
“And just because his attempts to take Kyiv weren’t successful doesn’t mean he’s abandoned those ambitions.” The Telegraph cited an aide as saying “NATO standard” would involve members of the alliance supplying modern equipment to replace gear from the Soviet era, and providing training in how to use it.
