Foreign Secretary wants Ukraine neighbour Moldova 'equipped to NATO standard'

The Foreign Secretary says she wants to see Ukraine's neighbour Moldova "equipped to NATO standard" to protect it against any potential Russian aggression.

Liz Truss says the UK and allies are discussing the prospect, given Vladimir Putin's clarity "about his ambitions to create a greater Russia".

Speaking to the Telegraph, the Foreign Secretary said the aim is to ensure Ukraine is "permanently able to defend itself", and this also applies to other "vulnerable states" such as Moldova, which is not a NATO member.

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"What we're working on at the moment is a joint commission with Ukraine and Poland on upgrading Ukrainian defences," she said.

"So we will scope out what that looks like, what the Ukrainians need. The question then is how do you maintain that over time?

"How do we ensure that there is deterrence by denial, that Ukraine is permanently able to defend itself and how do we guarantee that happens? That's what we are working on at the moment.

"And that also applies to other vulnerable states such as Moldova. Because again, the threat is broader from Russia, we also need to make sure that they are equipped to NATO standards." the Foreign Secretary added.