What steps has the UK taken to pursue Russian war crimes in Ukraine since the invasion?
What has been the position of UK officials since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
What goals is the UK pursuing by supporting Ukraine against Russia?
Why does the UK want to increase Western support for Ukraine and mount pressure on Russia?
The British Foreign Secretary has announced that war crime experts have been sent to Ukraine to investigate what she called the Russian military’s brutality in the country.
Liz Truss’s Verbal Attack on Russia
“Russia has brought barbarity to Ukraine and committed vile atrocities, including against women,” Liz Truss said in a statement. “British expertise will help uncover the truth and hold (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s regime to account for its actions,” she said. Experts specialising in conflict-related sexual violence are set to assist the Ukrainian Government in gathering evidence and prosecuting war crimes, according to the British Foreign Secretary. They will arrive in Poland in early May to assist international partners, NGOs and refugees in addition to the Ukrainian Government.
Prosecution of Russian War Crimes in Ukraine
Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary travelled to The Hague to discuss with Judge Piotr Hofmański, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), London’s support for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes and the use of sexual violence in the Ukraine war. British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also travelled to The Hague last month to announce London’s readiness to provide financial and technical assistance to the International Criminal Court in prosecuting Russia’s alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
British Anti-Russian Position Since the Beginning of the Ukraine War
The UK has been an active player in the conflict since the start of the Ukraine war, escalating tensions and conflicts by adopting anti-Russian positions, sending weapons and military equipment, and imposing sanctions on Russia. It has been almost two months since the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine. The flood of global reactions to the incident continues, and diplomatic pressure and international threats and sanctions against Russia are increasing. Border tensions between Russia and Ukraine have recently intensified following Moscow’s military moves, as pressure from the West has intensified, with the Kremlin repeatedly declaring that these activities are aimed at securing Russia’s national security on its territory and do not pose a threat to any country.
Sending 8,000 British Troops to Eastern Europe
In the largest deployment since the Cold War, the Ministry of Defence announced the deployment of more than 8,000 British troops to Eastern Europe to participate in a joint military exercise to counter possible Russian attacks. The exercise, which will see troops deployed in countries from Finland to northern Macedonia, will send dozens of tanks and more than 100 armoured combat vehicles based on plans planned since the start of the war in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of troops from NATO and Joint Expeditionary Forces, including Denmark, Iceland and Norway, are said to be taking part in the exercise.
British Operation Near the Russian Border
The British Ministry of Defence claimed that the planned manoeuver would strengthen the capabilities of the British troops and prevent Russia from invading Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Meanwhile, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the operation would demonstrate the West’s “show of solidarity and strength” with Russia. “The security of Europe has never been more important. These exercises will see our troops join forces with allies and partners across NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force in a show of solidarity and strength in one of the largest shared deployments since the Cold War,” he said. Wallace claimed that the British military stood by its partners to strengthen capabilities, shared values and promote peace and security.
450 Million Pounds of British Aid to Ukraine
British Deputy Secretary of Defence James Heappey has confirmed that the country has provided 450 million pounds ($565 million) in military aid to Ukraine since the start of the war. Asked about the details of British military aid to Ukraine by Layla Moran, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, Heappey said it was not possible to provide details due to the sensitivity of the war, but that a total of £450 million had been provided to Ukraine. Speaking in Parliament, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the country had already provided Ukraine with 5,000 anti-tank missiles and five air defence systems and planned to send a number of armoured vehicles to launch anti-aircraft missiles. “For my part, I want Putin beyond the pre-February boundaries,” Wallace said, claiming that the Ukraine war had exposed the true face of the Russian president to Europeans.
UK Calls for Increased Support for Ukraine
The British Foreign Secretary called on countries opposed to the Russian invasion to redouble their support for Ukraine. She claimed in provocative statements that “if Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds in the war, there will be more terrible consequences throughout Europe and the world. We will never feel safe again. So we must prepare for a long war and redouble our support for Ukraine. Heavy weapons, tanks, aeroplanes – digging deep into our inventories, ramping up production. We need to do all of this,” Liz Truss said.
British troops will be stationed in Eastern Europe by June. London recently worried that other NATO allies will force Ukraine to resolve the conflict with Russia as soon as possible. London, however rejects any idea of signing a peace agreement with Russia and insists Kiev should first of all be in the strongest possible position.
