Defence Secretary: UK will continue sending hardware to Ukraine

The Defence Secretary says "lethal and non-lethal aid" will continue to be provided to Ukraine, as he stressed the importance of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

Ben Wallace described Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an attack on "the security of Europe" during a meeting with other JEF defence ministers.

The JEF is a UK-led partnership involving 10 nations designed to deliver high-readiness forces and support security across NATO and Europe, with other member nations being: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

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The Defence Secretary said: "President Putin's invasion of Ukraine is an attack on our freedoms, our values and the security of Europe.

"He has sought to break our defensive alliances, which is why now, more than at any point in the history of the JEF, our partnership is so vital.

"We are united in our resolve across the JEF nations to support Ukraine.

"Our values are Ukraine's values and we will continue to provide lethal and non-lethal aid, alongside sending additional forces to Estonia serving with our Danish allies."

Watch: NATO's AWACS aircraft have been flying more regularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, the Defence Secretary said the UK was leading the way in supplying Ukraine with anti-air weapons to counter Russian jets.

Defence ministers discussed possible increased measures to support Ukraine during a meeting in Denmark.

While in Copenhagen, the Defence Secretary met with a number of his counterparts from the JEF nations to see off Danish frigate, HDMS Niels Juhl.

The vessel is providing a naval escort to support the deployment of Danish land forces in Estonia, where they serve alongside UK troops as part of a NATO battlegroup.

Mr Wallace also met with his counterpart Kalle Laanet in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss the impact of Russia's invasion on wider European security.

Estonia has sent a range of defensive and non-lethal aid to Ukraine to help the country defend itself, providing javelin anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft ammunition as well as food and medical supplies.