Britain is to ship an additional 350 troops to Poland to bolster Nato’s eastern flank, the Defence Secretary has introduced.
The reinforcements will add to the 250 British squaddies already within the country.
the additional troops will come from Arbroath-based totally 45 Commando of the Royal Marines, who have been due to deploy to Norway as a part of routine training. The Marines will be diverted to exercise with Polish forces and enhance contingency planning.
Ben Wallace mentioned the deployment will “send a powerful signal that Britain and Poland stand side through side,” adding Russia can be making a “silly mistake” if it invaded Ukraine.
Speaking along Poland’s Minister of Nationwide Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, Mr Wallace mentioned there’s “actual anxiety” approximately Russia’s activity.
“We stand in cohesion with Ukraine, not just in words, but additionally in training and indeed the supply of guns and different equipment to help Ukraine shield itself”.
Mr Błaszczak mentioned the troops will be used to “building up security particularly in phrases of threats on the border”.
“Poland and The Uk are able to take all vital decisions in order to discourage possible aggression.
“in keeping with historic experience, we see that only a decisive deterrence coverage can stop any possible Russian aggression and…a coverage of appeasement best encourages the prospective enemy to do something.”
Mr Wallace held out the chance of delaying the replacement of British troops in Estonia to make more squaddies available if needed.
an extended ‘relief in position’ whereby one unit of about 600 troops replaces another, “is often a potential if you wish to double up the forces,” Mr Wallace said.
An MoD spokesperson stated the rapid redeployment of the 350 Royal Marines was an instance of the “agility” of British forces heralded in the govt’s Built-In Evaluation of defence, safety and overseas coverage, introduced remaining year.
the inside track came amid a flurry of diplomatic activity to ease tensions after US officials said on Sunday that Russia has built up round 70 in keeping with cent of the troops it could wish to mount an invasion.
On Monday President Macron of France met Vladimir Putin in Moscow as US President Joe Biden hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Washington.
