Latest news with #100YearPartnership
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh teacher invited to 10 Downing Street by Prime Minister
Sophie Dark, a Year Six teacher at YGG Pontybrenin in Swansea, attended the launch of a UK Government initiative that twins British and Ukrainian schools with some of her pupils. The programme, part of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership launched by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January, aims to strengthen ties between the two countries. Ms Dark said: "It was an incredible, surreal experience. "I had to get the kids to pinch me because it was something I hadn't expected, and to be able to give that opportunity to the students as well is something that I, and certainly they, won't forget." YGG Pontybrenin is one of more than 750 schools from the UK and Ukraine that applied to take part in the scheme. The school has been paired with a school in Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine. The children have already started exchanging videos and letters, finding common bonds despite the war in Ukraine. Ms Dark explained: "For us, with the school we're linked with in Kryvyi Rih, we've been exchanging videos and in those videos we've seen sirens go off in the background, so our students have got an understanding of what is going on in Ukraine. "But our students know the children in Kryvyi Rih are safe and they know they are giving those children hope that there is life outside of Ukraine and that there is life outside of the war and the conflict." The children from YGG Pontybrenin, along with pupils from St Marie's Catholic Primary School & Nursery in Rugby, and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, attended the event hosted by minister for Europe Stephen Doughty. They will also mark the launch of a new commemorative stamp, designed by both the UK and Ukrainian governments.
Russia Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
NATO forces in Ukraine could trigger World War III – Russia's security chief
The deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine could lead to a clash between Russia and NATO, and ultimately to World War III, Sergey Shoigu, secretary of Russia's National Security Council, has warned. The term 'peacekeepers' is being used as a cover for the true objective of establishing control over Ukraine, according to the official. The defense chiefs from a number of NATO member states – led by the UK and France – have been discussing the idea of positioning a 'peacekeeping' force in Ukraine. They claim the troops would contribute to a 'lasting peace' between Russia and Ukraine. Russia has rejected the deployment of NATO forces, or troops from members of the bloc under a 'coalition of the willing' to Ukraine under any pretext. In an interview published on Thursday by TASS, Shoigu, who previously served as Russia's defense minister, stated that the presence of foreign 'peacekeepers' on 'Russia's historic territories' could provoke a direct confrontation between Moscow and NATO, potentially escalating into a third world war. According to him, this risk is acknowledged by 'reasonable politicians in Europe.' The term 'peacekeepers' is being used to mask the true objective of gaining control over Ukrainian territory and its resources, Shoigu believes. He argued that it would be more accurate to describe such a force as 'invaders' or 'occupiers.' Shoigu also noted that Russia had opposed the presence of NATO military forces in Ukraine even before the hostilities began. One of the main reasons why Russia launched its military operation in February 2022 was due to the threat of NATO military infrastructure being deployed to Ukraine, he said. According to Shoigu, prior to the outbreak of hostilities, the UK was constructing a naval base in the city of Ochakov, in Ukraine's Nikolayev Region. The facility was used to train Ukrainian naval special forces, and served as a platform for conducting operations against Russia, he claimed. This past January, Kiev and London signed the 100 Year Partnership agreement, which pledges to explore establishing defense infrastructure in Ukraine – including military bases, logistics hubs, and equipment stockpiles. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron said last month they were ready to lead a coalition of European countries to support Kiev with ground forces and aircraft if and when Ukraine and Russia achieve a ceasefire. Moscow has warned against the deployment of unauthorized peacekeepers to Ukraine, saying they would be regarded as legitimate targets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that Western plans to send peacekeepers to Ukraine were aimed at bolstering an anti-Russian presence there rather than pursuing a genuine settlement.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK to allocate nearly US$68.7 million to Ukraine for energy, business, and social support
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will announce a new £55 million (about US$68.9 million) aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday, 5 February. Source: European Pravda, citing the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) On 5 February, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is visiting Kyiv, where he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. During his visit, Lammy will announce £17 million (about US$21.3 million) in funding for innovative energy projects to support the recovery and sustainable development of Ukraine's energy system. The InnovateUkraine competition will encourage collaboration between British, Ukrainian, and international businesses and research institutions to develop sustainable, scalable energy solutions for the future, the office states. To support Ukraine's private sector and strengthen small and medium-sized business, an additional £10 million (about US$12.5 million) will be allocated to the economic recovery programme announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of the 100-year partnership. This funding will help rebuild, restore, and reform Ukraine's economy for the future. A further £25 million (about US$31.3 million) will be provided to help Ukraine strengthen more inclusive, effective, and resilient social systems and services. Additionally, the UK will allocate £3 million (approximately US$3.8 million) to supply Ukrainian grain and other food products to Syria. Quote: "Our support for Ukraine remains unbreakable. We are determined to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, both in its fight against Russia and beyond, with our long-term relationship cemented by the 100 Year Partnership." Background: On 16 January, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During his visit, Ukraine and the UK signed a historic 100-year partnership agreement aimed at strengthening security ties and deepening cooperation for future generations. The UK also announced plans to deliver 15 new Gravehawk mobile air defence systems to Ukraine in 2025. Support UP or become our patron!
