By Ben Kerrigan-
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’s irresponsible comments supporting UK civilians who want to go to Ukraine to help fight, may have influenced soldiers to go to Ukraine without the approval of the British army.
Truss said it was up to people to make their own decisions, expressing her commitment to supporting Ukranians.
In an interview on BBC One’s Sunday Morning programme, the UK foreign secretary replied “absolutely” when asked whether she would back anyone wanting to volunteer to help the Ukrainians fighting for their freedom.
She told the programme: “That is something people can make their own decisions about. The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe. Absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that.
Comments like those made by the Foreign Secretary suggest a lack of proper guidance form the cabinet about how ministers are expected to comment in public about the war.
A number of British soldiers who have disobeyed orders and travelled to Ukraine to fight have been urged to return to the Uk.
The soldiers were absent without leave and may have gone to Ukraine “in a personal capacity”, the Army said.
Britain has not approved the participation of the rebelling soldiers who do not have the financial blessing of the UK government.
The participation of British soldiers in the war gives the impression they are treating the war like sensationalism.
Soldiers are expected to abide by the rules of the British army and not act on their own accord .
“We are actively and strongly encouraging them to return to the UK,” a spokesperson added.
The Ministry of Defence condemned joining the fighting, stating that it is against the law and could lead to prosecution.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in desperation urged foreigners to help his troops resist the Russian invasion
Last week serving soldiers were warned that heading to Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion also risked giving “the mistaken perception” to Russia that Britain had sent in troops to fight.
Hundreds of former British soldiers have said they want to go to Ukraine to fight or help with medical or humanitarian effort they Many have said they are getting mixed messages from the government about whether they should go.
Although the UK has sent weapons to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia, it has repeatedly said it would not be sending British troops to fight in Ukraine.
The West has been clear that it would not engage in direct military confrontation with Russia and countries in the Nato military alliance – including the UK – have repeatedly rejected President Zelensky’s calls to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Russia has come under numerous sanctions from the UK and other countries following its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei is subject to asset freezes in the EU, UK, US, Switzerland, Japan and Canada. The EU said it was for being “responsible for and actively supporting actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine”.
Sergei Shoigu, Russian defence minister, and Aleksandr Bortnikov, head of the Russian security service (FSB), are both on the EU, US, Swiss and Canadian travel ban and asset freeze list. Japan has also imposed sanctions on Shoigu.
The chief of the Russian armed forces, is now on the US, Canada and Japan travel ban and asset freeze lists. He was already blacklisted by the EU and the UK in 2014.