Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace indicated that the deployment of British troops to Ukraine remains a possibility.
Speaking on Times Radio, Wallace underscored the perceived threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasising the need for vigilance and readiness within Western armed forces.
Responding to inquiries regarding the potential involvement of NATO troops in Ukraine, Wallace advocated for maintaining ambiguity, stating that ruling out options could inadvertently limit strategic flexibility.
He highlighted the importance of keeping adversaries uncertain about potential actions to enhance deterrence. Wallace likened Putin’s tactics to keeping adversaries guessing, cautioning against prematurely closing off diplomatic or military avenues.
Drawing parallels between Putin and historical figures like Adolf Hitler, Wallace stressed the gravity of the situation in Ukraine.
He suggested that conveying seriousness about Putin’s actions should be prioritised over explicit declarations, aiming to deter further aggression.
“I think the best thing is to make sure he realises we think what he is doing in Ukraine is very, very serious.
“I think President Putin – and we just saw that from the sham election – is the closest to Adolf Hitler we’ve had in this generation.”
Wallace’s statements reflect a nuanced approach to managing geopolitical tensions and maintaining deterrence in the face of perceived threats.
“As for Ukraine, Russia itself recognised the sovereignty of it as an independent country and guaranteed its territorial integrity, not just by signing the Budapest Memorandum in 1994 but also its Friendship Treaty with Ukraine itself in 1997.
“Yet it is the Kremlin not the West that set about magnifying divisions in that country and several others in the Europe.
“It has been well documented: the numerous efforts of the GRU and other Russian agencies to interfere in democratic elections and domestic disputes are well documented.
“The divide and rule cap sits prettiest on Moscow’s head not NATO’s.” – Ben Wallace, 17th January 2022.
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