Russia's military build-up: Ukrainian, British defense ministers make joint statement

Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace have made a joint statement on the situation on Ukraine's border with Russia, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's press service has reported.

According to the report, Reznikov and Wallace said in their statement that an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement was signed in London last week, which "continues progress on joint projects to develop the capabilities of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as agreed in June when the UK, Ukraine and industry signed a Memorandum of Implementation to collaborate to boost Ukraine's naval capabilities."

The meeting in Kyiv is "the next stage in bilateral cooperation for enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities and increasing interoperability," the statement said.

"Our governments have no desire to be adversarial or seek in any way to strategically encircle or undermine the Russian Federation. We are concerned by Russia's military build-up and activity around the borders of Ukraine. Ukraine’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is indisputable," the statement reads.

It also says that the United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine and will continue its long-standing determination to support them.

"We are unwavering in that support and together we remain vigilant and united in the defense of our common values and freedoms," the statement said.

A British delegation headed by Wallace arrived on a working visit to Ukraine on November 16.

Wallace also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Photo: mil.gov.ua