- UK has sent military assets to the eastern Mediterranean to
prevent escalation and provide humanitarian support
- Visit comes less than a week after UK and US defence
secretaries met at NATO HQ in Brussels
- As the Prime Minister visits Israel, UK is clear that the
situation in the Middle East will not distract the world from
Ukraine
Following Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel and Ukraine’s
continued defence against Putin’s illegal invasion, Defence
Secretary visited Washington D.C. for
the first time in his role to hold urgent talks with his
counterpart and members of Congress, in support of global
stability.
The UK and US stand firm in our shared commitment to uphold
international law and protect civilian lives wherever freedom is
challenged. That commitment has been clear in the last week as
our two countries have led the response to prevent escalation in
the Middle East, and support Israel’s right to defend itself -
taking all steps possible to minimise civilian casualties.
Prior to the trip, held calls with his Israeli
counterpart, Minister Gallant, to set out the UK’s support to
Israel and to urge the importance of a proportional response to
the situation.
The Secretary of State has also been speaking with his opposite
numbers in Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt to
coordinate the response and prevent escalations.
The Defence Secretary’s visit came as the Prime Minister and
Foreign Secretary travelled across the Middle East to discuss the
importance of avoiding escalation and a growing humanitarian
crisis.
The Prime Minister ordered the deployment of surveillance
aircraft and RFA ships to the Eastern Mediterranean to support
regional stability and announced the UK will provide a further
£10 million in humanitarian aid funding for civilians in the
Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).
Defence Secretary said:
The UK and US are determinedly standing up to aggressors and
terrorists and supporting our friends and partners in the fight
for freedom and security.
Our nations were the first to provide Ukraine with the sustained
support they need to beat Russia, and now we’re working alongside
regional partners to prevent escalation and protect civilians in
the Middle East.
At such a crucial time for global stability, the urgent talks I
have held with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, US Members of
Congress and my counterparts in the Middle East underline the
UK’s enduring commitment to peace and prosperity.
On Wednesday, Defence Secretary Shapps met US Secretary for
Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss the UK and US’s continued support
for global security and prosperity, including the Middle East,
Ukraine and AUKUS. These topics were also discussed with Congress
representatives and Mike Rogers, as well as
senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed, during Shapps’ meetings on
Capitol Hill which sought to strengthen the deep defence
political and political ties with Congress.
The Defence Secretary also visited the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) headquarters in Virginia.
The NGA delivers geospatial intelligence for the military service
and intelligence professionals, as well as emergency services and
has cooperated closely and provided support to the UK for more
than half a decade.
Speaking during engagements in the US, the Defence Secretary made
clear the crisis in the Middle East will not distract the UK or
our allies and partners from our unwavering resolve to provide
Ukraine with the support it needs to repel Russia’s barbaric
invasion. The joint efforts of the international community, led
by the UK and US, have ensured Putin continues to fail in his
goal of conquering Ukraine.
The Defence Secretary also paid his respects to all those
sacrificing their lives for Ukraine’s freedom at Holodomor
memorial where he laid a wreath in their honour, and the memory
of the millions killed by the famine 90 years ago.
