Latest news with #UK-Ukraine
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It's been exciting and meaningful': Co Antrim pupils partner with Ukraine school near frontline
Kilmoyle Primary School in Ballybogey has been selected to take part in the UK-Ukraine school partnerships programme. The school has 10 Ukrainian pupils, and its principal wants to open local children's eyes to the wider world. Engaging in weekly video calls, activities and projects, Kilmoyle has partnered with Pershotravensk Gymnasium No3, located in northeast Ukraine. In addition, they celebrate events like Easter with activities and photos. Kilmoyle Primary School principal Jeff Scott wants to 'deepen the connection' with the international school. 'We've always been interested in international partnerships,' he said. 'When we welcomed 14 Ukrainian pupils in May 2022, our school began to change. Before then, we were a small, rural, predominantly white school. 'The arrival of Ukrainian families into our community brought real diversity. 'We've worked hard to support their integration through dedicated English-language lessons and cultural inclusion. 'Even now, we have two Ukrainian children in our nursery — siblings of those already enrolled — and they'll be starting P1 this year. 'So, when this project came up, it made complete sense for us. We already had the community and this was a way to deepen that connection.' Nazar (10), a P7 pupil at the school, said the partnership has helped him 'feel connected' to his homeland. He explained: 'I came to the UK from Ukraine when I was six, and so I wasn't really that interested at first because I thought I already knew all about Ukraine. 'But once the project started, I began learning so much — about both countries, about the language and about what we share. I've really enjoyed working with the school in Ukraine. 'We exchange presentations and show each other what life is like where we are. It's been exciting and meaningful. I don't remember home very well, but this project helps me feel connected. I really hope the partnership continues.' Holly (10), also a P7 pupil at the school, added: 'It was fascinating to learn about their culture and see how their school life differs from ours — the things they do that we don't, and the things we have that they don't. 'I especially liked learning about their Easter traditions. The most surprising part was finding out they have water fights after Easter. That was completely new to us. 'My favourite part has been seeing what they enjoy and being able to share what we like too.' The UK-Ukraine school partnership programme, run by the British Council Northern Ireland, was launched to mark the 100-year agreement between the two nations. The government-funded programme has drawn 750 applications from UK schools. Around 3,000 pupils and 100 teachers are currently involved in the programme. Kilmoyle was one of five schools from Northern Ireland selected to take part. In February, staff attended a residential training and networking event in Poland alongside 15 UK and 15 Ukrainian schools. Mr Scott spoke of the disruption Pershotravensk faces each day because of the war. 'We learned not just about Ukraine's education system, but also how to support children dealing with trauma and how to foster a love of reading through collaborative projects,' he said. 'We also had time to get to know our partner school and begin planning the first phase of our project, which is creating a programme to foster a love of reading and help children learn about one another's cultures.' Mr Scott also said he was 'struck' by how often staff at the school in Ukraine are interrupted by air-raid sirens and emergency evacuations. Despite this, staff try to maintain a sense of normality through their work with Kilmoyle. 'What struck me most was how high their expectations are for maintaining normal school routines, even with the constant disruptions of war,' said Mr Scott. 'Teachers mentioned that air-raid sirens go off multiple times a day and they have to move all the children to the basement. 'That level of disruption has become normal for them.' Jonathan Stewart, director of the British Council in Northern Ireland, said the UK-Ukraine school partnership programme has been a valuable initiative. 'This programme shows the power of schools to build real connections, even in the most challenging times,' he said. Biden calls Trump's pressure on Ukraine 'modern-day appeasement' 'Kilmoyle PS have not only embraced the partnership, but are also leading with empathy, creativity and a genuine desire to connect. 'Through books, presentations and shared experiences, pupils are building meaningful relationships that will stay with them for years to come. 'It's a powerful reminder of the role international connections in education can play in fostering understanding and hope.'
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.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Labour's defence budget ‘won't touch the sides', Starmer is warned
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned even spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence won't be enough amid an increasingly turbulent global landscape and pressure from Donald Trump for Europe to bolster its own defences. The government has pledged to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence, but has not given details on how or when this figure will be reached. But even if there is an urgent push to boost spending, there is said to be concern among military chiefs that the Armed Forces will still be unable to meet current targets, with a senior Whitehall source telling The Telegraph that the 2.5 per cent figure 'won't touch the sides'. They warned that ambitions for armed forces capabilities would need to be pulled back unless the Ministry of Defence acquired 'big, big lumps of money needed for defence over a sustained period of time'. And as Nato members scramble to boost their defence spending, Mr Trump has said he wants them to spend as much as 5 per cent of GDP on their armed forces. But speaking on Friday, technology secretary Peter Kyle defended the government's target, telling Sky News: 'The last time that Britain spent 2.5 per cent of its GDP on defence, was under the last Labour government. The next time that we'll spend that level of spending will be under this Labour government.' The warnings over Britain's ability to defend itself come amid growing concern over how Donald Trump's presidency could impact the global defence landscape, after he held shock talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin and the US suggested Ukraine may be forced to give up some of its territory. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that Nato membership is not a realistic prospect for Ukraine, despite Nato's official position – endorsed by Sir Keir's government in the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership – that Kyiv is on an irreversible path to joining the alliance. The subject of global defence will be top of the agenda on Friday as defence secretary John Healey and foreign secretary David Lammy travel to Germany for the Munich Security Conference, where European allies are expected to thrash out a response to Mr Trump's change in stance. Yesterday, Mr Healey issued a robust response, warning that 'there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine', adding that 'Russia remains a threat well beyond Ukraine'. Mr Trump's position also triggered warnings from military figures, including former defence secretary Ben Wallace, who said the UK will have to 'step up to fill the void in Europe and show our own leadership', arguing that the US's domestic agenda could embolden hostile actors. 'Maga is all about America first. Leadership is not about being first. It's about being generous and bringing people with you', he told Times Radio. 'It is also a signal that I'm afraid will embolden the likes of the Putins, the President Xi's, the Iranians, because they will now see that what preoccupies the United States is purely really a domestic agenda and its own shores. 'And it will be ambiguous at best when it comes to protecting sovereignty, freedom and democracy. And I think that's the biggest worry we have to face.' An MoD spokesperson said:n "This is purely speculation. Our Armed Forces are among the best in the world and are always ready to defend the country. "The Strategic Defence Review is wide-ranging, ensuring we look hard at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.' "To ensure the UK is prepared to deal with the changing threat, our Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5% of GDP on defence in spring.'
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine ‘must be at the heart' of any peace negotiations, says Healey
Ukraine's 'voice must be at the heart' of any negotiations for a peace deal to end the war with Russia, the Defence Secretary has said. John Healey said that 'Russia remains a threat well beyond Ukraine' after Donald Trump claimed that he and Vladimir Putin had agreed to start talks on ending the conflict. Mr Trump said he had agreed with Russia's leader to 'work together, very closely' on bringing the three-year conflict to an end in a phone conversation on Wednesday. Speaking as Nato allies gathered in Brussels on Thursday, Mr Healey said: 'We've seen the calls from President Trump overnight and we all want to see a durable peace and no return to conflict and aggression – and let's not forget, Russia remains a threat well beyond Ukraine. 'So, my message in these discussions will be that there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine and Ukraine's voice must be at the heart of any talks. I think President Putin wants peace and President Zelensky wants peace and I want peace. I just want to see people stop being killed Donald Trump, US President 'Ukrainians are fighting bravely… it's our job as defence ministers here at Nato, to put them in the best position to secure a lasting peace through strength.' The US has suggested that as part of a peace deal Ukraine must accept it will have to give up some territory to Russia and Nato membership is not a realistic prospect. But Nato's official position – endorsed by Sir Keir Starmer's Government in the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership – is that Kyiv is on an 'irreversible' path to joining the alliance. The Associated Press reported that Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, who was chairing Thursday's meeting, said that whatever agreement is struck between Russia and Ukraine, it is crucial that the 'peace deal is enduring, that Putin knows that this is the end, that he can never again try to capture a piece of Ukraine'. A minister appeared to reject the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth's suggestion that Kyiv should abandon the hopes of driving Russia out of all Ukrainian territory. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook was asked whether the UK agreed that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 border was unrealistic, and whether the British Government's assessment was that it was 'unrealistic to expect Ukraine to drive Russia out of its country'. Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Pennycook said: 'No, I don't think so, and that's precisely why we've stepped up and stood behind Ukraine in its fight for freedom and as a means of bolstering European security. 'But … I think the important point to your listeners is Ukrainians are still fighting and dying as we speak. 'Ultimately, it is for them to decide when they start talking and on what terms. 'As I said, our focus is ensuring they're in the strongest possible position if they do decide to engage in those talks.' On Wednesday, Mr Healey had sought to play down the idea of splits between the UK and Washington on the issue. Mr Trump's call with the Russian president came just hours after Mr Zelensky warned 'Putin is not preparing for peace' and called for unity from Ukraine's allies. The Associated Press reported that Mr Trump said he spent more than an hour on the phone with Mr Putin and 'I think we're on the way to getting peace'. The US President later spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky but he was non-committal about whether Ukraine would be an equal participant in US negotiations with Russia. 'I think President Putin wants peace and President Zelensky wants peace and I want peace,' Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. 'I just want to see people stop being killed.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine ‘must be at the heart' of any peace negotiations, says Healey
Ukraine's 'voice must be at the heart' of any negotiations for a peace deal to end the war with Russia, the Defence Secretary has said. John Healey said that 'Russia remains a threat well beyond Ukraine' after Donald Trump claimed that he and Vladimir Putin had agreed to start talks on ending the conflict. Mr Trump said he had agreed with Russia's leader to 'work together, very closely' on bringing the three-year conflict to an end in a phone conversation on Wednesday. Speaking as Nato allies gathered in Brussels on Thursday, Mr Healey said: 'We've seen the calls from President Trump overnight and we all want to see a durable peace and no return to conflict and aggression – and let's not forget, Russia remains a threat well beyond Ukraine. 'So, my message in these discussions will be that there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine and Ukraine's voice must be at the heart of any talks. 'Ukrainians are fighting bravely … it's our job as defence ministers here at Nato, to put them in the best position to secure a lasting peace through strength.' The US has suggested that as part of a peace deal Ukraine must accept it will have to give up some territory to Russia and Nato membership is not a realistic prospect. But Nato's official position – endorsed by Sir Keir Starmer's Government in the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership – is that Kyiv is on an 'irreversible' path to joining the alliance. A minister appeared to reject the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth's suggestion that Kyiv should abandon the hopes of driving Russia out of all Ukrainian territory. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook was asked whether the UK agreed that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 border was unrealistic, and whether the British Government's assessment was that it was 'unrealistic to expect Ukraine to drive Russia out of its country'. Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Pennycook said: 'No, I don't think so, and that's precisely why we've stepped up and stood behind Ukraine in its fight for freedom and as a means of bolstering European security. 'But … I think the important point to your listeners is Ukrainians are still fighting and dying as we speak. 'Ultimately, it is for them to decide when they start talking and on what terms. 'As I said, our focus is ensuring they're in the strongest possible position if they do decide to engage in those talks.' On Wednesday, Mr Healey had sought to play down the idea of splits between the UK and Washington on the issue. Mr Trump's call with the Russian president came just hours after Mr Zelensky warned 'Putin is not preparing for peace' and called for unity from Ukraine's allies. The Associated Press reported that Mr Trump said he spent more than an hour on the phone with Mr Putin and 'I think we're on the way to getting peace'. The US President later spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky but he was non-committal about whether Ukraine would be an equal participant in US negotiations with Russia. 'I think President Putin wants peace and President Zelensky wants peace and I want peace,' Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. 'I just want to see people stop being killed.'
