Watch: Kiel Prime Minister Stage visits British nuclear armed submarine earlier this week
The UK is holding a closure meeting of senior military leaders from the “Affiliation of Ambitiousness” on Thursday as it plans for the proposed peacekeeping forces for Ukraine.
It is believed that more than 20 countries are involved.
Kiel, Prime Minister Stage, will be present on Thursday afternoon after his first visit to Barrow. He plans to lay keel, one of the next generation of British nuclear-armed submarines.
The plans for Ukraine’s Western-led peacekeeping forces are said to have moved into the operational phase.
Senior officers from the country, which make up the British-France-led “coalition of will” will discuss how this actually works when they gather at the UK’s permanent joint headquarters in Northwood.
Military Minister Luke Pollard said they hope they will become “trusted forces” that will allow Ukraine to “enjoy lasting peace.”
“[Vladimir] Putin won in Ukraine and won’t stop. If he conquered the whole of Ukraine – this is his plan, and has been around for many years – he will simply see other places where he can broaden his influence and his control,” he told BBC Breakfast.
“It’s not our interest as a nation, and certainly not in the interests of our European friends.”
Pollard said ensuring peace in Ukraine might mean “some boots on the ground,” but the unit “has strong air and navy characteristics.”
However, there are some major obstacles remaining.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would not tolerate the presence of Ukraine’s NATO member forces, regardless of their role.
The US has also proven reluctant to provide the necessary air covering that future members need.
Sir Kiel is expected to attend part of the meeting after his first visit to Barrow. There, the keel of the HMS Dreadnought, one of the next generation of nuclear-armed submarines, will be laid.
When visiting town, Sir Kiel will say Barrow is a “blueprint” of how defensive spending benefits the community.
He will announce that the King has agreed to grant Barrow the title of “Crown” in recognition of his contributions to national security.
Previously, he visited the crew of the British nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard as he returned to Scotland after patroling North Atlantic waters.
The Prime Minister told reporters that he respected British nuclear weapons because “we are independent deterrents and we are committed to NATO.”
“The obvious thing is that they appreciate it being a reliable ability,” he said. “And that’s definitely true.”
Defense Secretary John Healy, who joined the Prime Minister during his visit, stressed the government’s “unshakable” commitment to Britain’s nuclear deterrence.
