The UK’s weapon stockpiles have been left at a “threadbare” level after arming Ukraine’s war against Russia for two-and-a-half years.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard claimed the focus needs to be on ramping up weapons production between the West and Ukraine as part of a longer-term strategy that would keep a reliable supply of equipment heading to the country.
Speaking at a fringe event at the Labour conference on Tuesday evening, Pollard said: “I think most western nations have gifted most of the deployable resources they have … so we are seeing a greater trading relationship being formed.”
He later claimed: “Not only do we need to refill our stockpiles, we need a reliable supply to get to Ukraine to continue the fight.”
UK weapon stockpiles have been depleted
PA
Pollard confirmed it is the “right thing” for the UK to supply Ukraine.
However, the Plymouth Sutton & Devonport MP added: “We have depleted our own stocks in order to do that.”
Pollard’s comments come after the National Audit Office claimed that British military stockpiles were so depleted that the UK was forced to slash donations to Ukraine in the middle of last year.
The Ministry of Defence “sharply reduced” transfers of military equipment to Kyiv in the middle of 2023 after concluding further donations of lethal aid would pose “unacceptable risks to the UK’s military readiness”.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard claimed the focus needs to be on ramping up weapons production between the West and Ukraine
PA
However, the total value of material sent to the ex-Soviet state from British stockpiles was £171.5million in the period from 2021 to 2024.
A sharp decline was witnessed within the time period after £130m of equipment sent in 2022-23 to just £15.9m in 2023-24.
The UK donated 14 Challenger 2 tanks, which were valued at £17m.
They had been worth £47m when initially purchased between 1998 and 2001.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN security council this week that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine could not be calmed by talks
PA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN security council this week that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine could not be calmed by talks.
He instead urged the West to put pressure on Moscow to find peace.
Zelensky met with outgoing US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss Ukraine’s “victory plan” on Thursday.
Joined by Democratic hopeful Kamala Harris, Zelensky thanked the US for its “unwavering bipartisan support”.
In a separate meeting with Donald Trump, the ex-US President said: “I also have a very good relationship as you know with President Putin and I think if we win [the election] we’re going to get it resolved very quickly.”