British troops to 'train soldiers' in Ukraine

[Turborama]

Source: The Independent (UK)

Tuesday 24 February 2015

British troops will be deployed to Ukraine in the next few weeks to train soldiers fighting Russian separatists, David Cameron said yesterday, as he warned of “deeply damaging” consequences for the whole of Europe if the EU fails to stand up to Vladimir Putin.

Up to 75 military personnel will take part in the six-month mission, which will include medical, intelligence, logistics and infantry training to complement the range of “non-lethal” equipment Britain has already supplied, the Prime Minister said.

Mr Cameron told the Commons Liaison Committee that the UK was “not at the stage” of supplying lethal equipment – but refused to rule out further support.

He added that the Government would be ready to give the BBC more funding to counter Russian-backed propaganda.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/british-troops-to-train-soldiers-in-ukraine-10068003.html

[bemildred]

1. UK will not deploy combat troops to Ukraine, Defence Minister says

Feb 25 (Reuters) - Britain will not deploy combat troops to Ukraine, which is fighting pro-Russian separatists along its eastern flank, Defence Minister Michael Fallon told parliament on Wednesday.

Prime Minister David Cameron said on Tuesday that Britain would deploy military personnel to Ukraine in the next month to help train the Ukrainian army, warning that Moscow would move to destabilise other countries if left unchallenged.

"We are not deploying combat troops to Ukraine and will not do so," Fallon said when asked whether the deployment of military personnel would provoke so-called mission creep. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn, writing by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Stephen Addison)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/25/ukraine-crisis-britain-idUSS8N0VI00P20150225?rpc=401

[NuclearDem]

2. Just wanted to say

whether we agree or not on what's going on in Ukraine, I legitimately appreciate the work you're doing in publishing news articles about it.

[bemildred]

3. Thank you, I'm not trying to shut anybody up.

To be candid, I find this much more fascinating that TV or video games. But it moves slow.

[Bosonic]

4. Poland plans to send military instructors to Ukraine

Poland plans to send military instructors to Ukraine

(Reuters) - Poland intends to send military instructors to train Ukrainian soldiers, with the final decision expected next month, an advisor to the Polish defence minister said.

"The defence ministry intends to send Polish instructors to support the training of Ukrainian non-commissioned officers," Boguslaw Pacek told Reuters.

He said the number of instructors sent will be finalised in March, but will be in the range of around a dozen to several dozens.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/25/us-ukraine-crisis-poland-soldiers-idUSKBN0LT1KW20150225

[leveymg]

5. Thank you for showing both sides of the spin put on this. n/t