{"id":385979,"date":"2018-11-21T16:38:16","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T15:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/newswire\/more-british-troops-will-head-to-ukraine-to-defend-democracy-williamson-set-to-announce-rt-uk-news\/"},"modified":"2018-11-21T16:38:16","modified_gmt":"2018-11-21T15:38:16","slug":"more-british-troops-will-head-to-ukraine-to-defend-democracy-williamson-set-to-announce-rt-uk-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/newswire\/more-british-troops-will-head-to-ukraine-to-defend-democracy-williamson-set-to-announce-rt-uk-news\/","title":{"rendered":"More British troops will head to Ukraine to \u2018defend democracy\u2019 \u2013 Williamson set to announce \u2014 RT UK News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The UK will increase its military support to Ukraine, training their special forces and sending a Royal Navy ship to the country, the British Defence Secretary is set to announce, reports the Daily Telegraph. <\/p>\n

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The build up of forces in the eastern European country is to defend \u201cfreedom and democracy,\u201d<\/em> according to Williamson.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as Ukraine faces Russian hostilities, it will find a steadfast partner in the United Kingdom,\u201d<\/em> the Defence Secretary will say according to the Tory-supporting Telegraph, who have apparently been provided with access to Williamson’s speech.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBy continuing to work together, whether through training programmes or military exercises, we help Ukraine to stand up for our shared values.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Those values of freedom and democracy cannot be traded. I have witnessed on the frontline the effects of the war in the east and this has completely reinforced my support for Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,\u201d<\/em> Williamson is expected to say.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0UK\u2019s Def Sec Gavin \u2018Russia should shut up\u2019 Williamson tours Ukraine\u2019s \u2018frontline\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The HMS Echo, a hydrographic survey ship with a crew of 72, will be sent to the region, while Ukrainian Special Forces are set to be trained by their British counterparts.<\/p>\n

Some 100 British personnel are currently in Ukraine, reportedly on a training mission in the western city of Lviv and central city of Dnipro, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n

The UK has reportedly trained some 10,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015, in areas such as logistics and identification of improvised explosive devices.<\/p>\n

Williamson has been steadfast in his support for Ukraine. During a visit<\/a> to the country in September, the Defence Secretary \u2013 who notoriously told Russia \u201cto go away and shut up\u201d<\/em> \u2013 pledged UK support to the country.<\/p>\n

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UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson the latest Western official to visit the frontline of the war in eastern Ukraine. Photos via Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation. pic.twitter.com\/HE9hEg0VvR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) September 19, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cUkraine remains at the front line of a smoldering conflict,\u201d<\/em> said Williamson, adding \u201cbut you do not stand alone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The number of new troops will be subject to Ukrainian requirements, with the Telegraph reporting that it’s likely to total some 30 soldiers from the Army and Royal Marines. The new round of training is set to include the skills of mortar planning and counter-sniping.<\/p>\n