Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak and UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson have agreed to begin efforts on the training of Ukrainian marines by British instructors.
“In January, a group of British Navy officers will come to Ukraine to organize interaction, to plan joint drills and to determine what kind of logistic assistance the Ukrainian armed forces and the Navy in particular may need,” Poltorak said following his meeting with Williamson in Odesa.
The counterparts discussed the Kerch Strait situation and recent developments near the Ukraine-Russia border.
Poltorak and Williamson met with the relatives and friends of Ukrainian sailors seized by Russian border guards near the Kerch Strait.
“Thank you for the work that Britain is doing for their release,” Poltorak said.
The sides agreed “to set up the Friends of Ukraine Office to coordinate assistance in reforming the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Navy, and boosting combat capabilities of the Navy,” he said.
Williamson and Poltorak visited the Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaydachniy and the Ukrainian Navy’s small armored artillery boats. The counterparts took to the open sea on the boats.
Poltorak also boarded the British Royal Navy ship HMS Echo that arrived at the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa on a friendly visit on Dec. 19.
