Category: Ben Wallace

Putin’s Nuclear Alert Part of Russia’s ‘Battle of Rhetoric’: UK Defence Chief

Russian President Vladimir Putin putting his nuclear forces on high alert is just a part of the Kremlin’s “battle of rhetoric” rather than a real threat, Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said. Putin increased the readiness of Russia’s nuclear weapons on Feb. 27, citing “aggressive statements” from NATO and the financial sanctions imposed in…


UK Defence Chief Cancels Holiday, Says Ukraine Conflict ‘Highly Likely’

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has left a family holiday in Europe early, as he said it is “highly likely” Russia will launch an attack on Ukraine despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts to avert war. Wallace said on Twitter on Sunday morning that he was returning from a planned long weekend abroad in Europe with…


UK to Send 350 More Troops to Poland Amid Tensions in Eastern Europe

Britain is to send an additional 350 troops to Poland in a show of support for its Eastern European ally, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Monday. Speaking at a joint press conference in London with Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, Wallace said Britain will send extra troops to Poland “to show that we…


UK Launches Defence Space Strategy to Address ‘Ever-Growing Threats’

Britain has launched its first ever “Defence Space Strategy,” which outlines how the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will protect the UK’s national interests in space in an era of “ever-growing threats.” As part of the strategy (pdf) published on Feb. 1, the UK will invest £1.4 billion ($1.9 billion) to bolster the number of British…


UK Defence Chief ‘Not Optimistic’ Russian Invasion of Ukraine Can Be Stopped

Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said he is “not optimistic” a Russian invasion of Ukraine can be stopped. Wallace, who is currently in Germany, told the BBC that he would soon meet with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow. He said there was still “a chance” an invasion could be halted, but added,…


Russian ‘Bullying’ Won’t Deter UK From Helping Ukraine: Defence Chief

Britain will “not be deterred by bullying” by Russia when it comes to helping allies such as Ukraine, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said. Addressing the House of Commons on Monday, Wallace said he would visit “a number of countries” in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia this week, “many of whom are very, very worried by…


UK to Send More Troops to Help Poland Tackle Belarus Migrant Crisis: Report

Britain will deploy more troops to Poland’s border with Belarus to help tackle the migrant crisis, which Western governments say has been orchestrated by the Lukashenka regime, British media have reported. Thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly from Iraq and Afghanistan, have gathered on the Poland–Belarus border in hopes of crossing into the European Union. The…


Navy Chief Admiral Sir Tony Radakin Announced as Next Head of Armed Forces

The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff has been appointed as the new armed forces chief. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, 55, will take over as Chief of the Defence Staff from General Sir Nick Carter on November 30. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was delighted to confirm Radakin’s new position, having…


UK Defence Ministry Investigates Afghan Interpreters Data Breach

The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on Monday that it had launched an investigation following a data breach that could compromise the safety of more than 250 Afghan interpreters waiting to move to the UK. The MoD also apologised for the incident after it was reported in media outlets. “An investigation has been launched…


French Minister Pulls Out of Meeting With UK Defense Minister Amid Submarines Row

French Defense Minister Florence Parly has postponed a meeting with counterpart Ben Wallace as the international fallout from the row over a lucrative submarines contract continues. The UK, United States, and Australia agreed a new pact, which includes the development of nuclear-powered submarines—a deal that tore up an agreement for Paris to supply Sydney with…