British prime minister Rishi Sunak has shut down comments by the UK's defence secretary after Ben Wallace suggested Ukraine should show “gratitude” for the military support it has been given.
Mr Sunak said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy had “repeatedly expressed gratitude” for what the UK had done for Kyiv since Russia’s invasion broke out more than 500 days ago.
Mr Wallace, in comments to reporters at the Nato summit in Vilnius, suggested Mr Zelenskiy needed to be mindful about keeping “doubting politicians” in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year.
The former Scots Guard said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv “want to see gratitude”.
But Mr Sunak, in a pushback against his Cabinet minister, said the Ukrainian people were “incredibly grateful for the support we have shown”.
Many Western allies, including US president Joe Biden’s Washington administration and the UK government, have been vocal backers of Ukraine.
The UK in particular has been at the forefront of Western states in sending weapons and defensive equipment to the war-torn country.
Speaking at a press briefing after the two-day summit in the Lithuanian capital, Mr Sunak said: “President Zelenskiy has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions, not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him.
“So I know that he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support we have shown, the welcome that we have provided to many Ukrainian families, but also the leadership we have shown throughout this conflict.”
Mr Sunak stressed that the Ukrainian people were “paying a terrible price” during the invasion and that he understood Mr Zelenskiy’s “desire to do everything he can to protect his people”.
The public disagreement comes after Mr Zelenskiy voiced his frustration at Nato failing to produce a timeframe for Kyiv to become a member of the defensive alliance.
The war leader said on Tuesday that it was “absurd” for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic “conditions” for the eastern European country to meet before it can join once the conflict with Moscow is over.
He looked to have calmed his language following a bilateral blitz on Wednesday, which included meetings with Mr Sunak and Mr Biden.
During a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Mr Zelenskiy said Nato had sent “signals” that were “important” when it came to Ukraine becoming a member state.
He was also buoyed by the signing of a joint declaration by G7 leaders, promising long-term multilateral and bilateral security guarantees for Kyiv to help it fend off current and future aggression by Russia.
Following the signing of the pact, Mr Zelenskiy said he was leaving the summit with a “significant security victory for Ukraine”.
Mr Sunak said the deal marked a “new high point in international support” for Ukraine, with Britain signing up to train Ukrainian pilots.
The Defence Secretary suggested the UK, as part of the agreement, could base troops in the country after the war has concluded to conduct battlefield training with Ukrainian forces.
The British prime minister said he was “highly confident” that other countries would “very quickly” sign up to the pledge made by G7 allies, which as well as the UK includes the US, Japan, Canada, Italy, France and Germany.
On the question of Nato membership for Ukraine, the Conservative Party leader said “meaningful progress” had been made at Vilnius to smooth its pathway, taking it from a two-step process to just one.
The British prime minister said: “I think this summit has been a very important moment because you had the alliance affirming unequivocally that Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato and Ukraine will become a member of Nato.
“And we saw at this summit meaningful progress on that path towards eventual membership.”
He told Mr Zelensky during a one-on-one meeting that he belonged in Nato, with the British premier hailing his fighters as inspirational.
Labour’s John Healey gave his party’s backing to new commitments to Ukraine.
The shadow defence secretary said: “G7 countries and Nato nations stand united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.
“Putin’s illegal invasion must not only be defeated, but we have to ensure Ukraine receives the support needed to defend itself today and into the future.”
