UK Secretary of State for Defence: Other countries should also send ships to Ukraine

The ships of the British Navy demonstrate that they have the right to navigate through the international waters, and it is very important for other countries to send their ships to the territory of Ukraine.

“The fact of seizure of Ukrainian ships is something that has already happened in international waters, and we want to demonstrate that the United Kingdom and, in particular, the ships of the British Navy have the right to navigate through the international waters. We also believe that it is very important for other countries to join the UK, regarding sending their ships to the territory of Ukraine,” UK Secretary of State for Defence Mr Gavin Williamson said during a meeting with Ukrainian and foreign media on board of the Hetman Sahaidachny frigate in Odesa, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

UK Secretary of State for Defence Mr Gavin Williamson, who is on a working visit in Ukraine, and Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak visited in Odesa the Hetman Sahaidachny frigate, the flagship of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, talked to the command and crew of a multi-purpose vessel.

As reported, the HMS Echo (H87), a hydrographic survey ship of the British Royal Navy, arrived at the port of Odesa on Wednesday, December 19.

It was the first visit of a foreign warship to Ukraine after the events in the Kerch Strait area, when Russian border guards had fired on and seized three Ukrainian warships and 24 sailors.