Ukraine is not losing and will not stop fighting, regardless of what US does, former MP says
A former British MP who left the UK to fight with the Ukrainian military has said Kyiv's forces will not stop fighting for the future of their country, despite the lack of support from the US.
Jack Lopresti, a former Conservative MP and British Army reservist, lost his seat in last year's general election and decided to head to Ukraine.
He signed up to fight with Kyiv's forces, with his role split between diplomacy, procurement and working with veterans.
Speaking on the BFBS Forces News' Sitrep podcast, he said "Ukrainians are not losing" and they will fight "even if America walks away".
He said "Putin must think it's Christmas when he hears [how] President Trump and JD Vance [are] treating him", adding there is no "moral equivalence" between Ukraine and Russia.
"Trump seems to think he can play the middleman and treat them both equally," he said.
"There is no comparison. Putin is a wicked man. He's done awful things. He should be hauled up in front of the International Criminal Court, charged with war crime offences.
"I want to see some moral courage from the US about what's happening in Ukraine, what has been happening in Ukraine and more support.
"Whether we get it or not, we'll see."
Mr Lopresti added that the US president, as well as his "friends", needs to realise "Ukrainians are going to go on fighting".
"They are not going to have anything like what's being pushed, imposed upon them. They're a free country. They're a sovereign country," he said.
"You say to a Ukrainian soldier, 'are you prepared to negotiate with Putin and give up any of your land?' The answer is a robust 'no, never'."
While he is not "involved on a daily basis in military operations", Mr Lopresti travels around the country, including to the east of Ukraine, and said he has taken part in drone operations and night patrols in his role.
He said the resounding message from the troops on the ground he has met is one of defiance.
"Ukraine has offered a 30-day ceasefire. They're happy to then go on to peace talks, but from what I can see and from what we understand, Putin doesn't want peace," he said.
"He's basically taking the Americans for fools.
"I don't think Trump's particularly bothered, he just wants the glory of ending the conflict on any terms so he can claim the credit for that.
"But, you know, the Ukrainians are absolutely resolute in their desire and their aim and their objective, which is to remain a sovereign and free country.
"And I believe they'll do that."
If the US does pull out of supporting Ukraine, Mr Lopresti said European allies need to do more to help support Kyiv's forces.
He pointed out that Europe has given more money to Ukraine than the US, and European countries have "got the capability, financially and technologically to help" fill any gaps left by the Americans.
"We've had a lot of conversation, we've had a lot of well-thought-through proposals as far as peace-making and all that stuff, even though there isn't a peace to enforce at the moment," he said.
"So Europe have said they will step up in technology and assistance, and in aid.
"They need to really move quickly."
The former Filton and Bradley Stoke MP also said the supply chains to get military aid out to Ukraine are remarkable, adding how it is "pretty amazing getting things out there quickly".
He said he does not "get pushback" when he visits troops on the ground.
"They never say, you know, 'we've asked for this, we haven't had that'… there's a positive air about it," he said.
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