LONDON, July 24 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
*
LieutenantGeneral Tom Batemantakescommand oftheforcewhich would deploytoUkraineshould hostilities end, taking over from his French predecessor.
*
Comes as theCoalition of the Willingpreparesexercises torehearse the deployment of the force to Ukraine.
*
LieutenantGeneral Bateman took over command fromhis French predecessorduring aspecialhandover ceremony at theoperationheadquarters in Paris.
Asenior Britishofficer hastodaytaken commandof themultinational forcewhich would deploy toUkraineafter hostilitiesend.
At a ceremonyin Paris today,LieutenantGeneral Tom Bateman took over command of the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U) from his French counterpart.
Thehandover ceremonytookplaceat the Force'sOperation HQ inParisandit comesafter thePrimeMinisterthis weekreaffirmedBritain'sunwaveringcommitment toUkraineand leadership withFranceof the Coalitionof theWilling.
Last week, theUK, France, andother Coalition of the Willingleadersconfirmedthat the MNF-U will conduct exercises in the coming months toshowtheforce'sability to act once hostilities have ceased.
Defence SecretaryWes StreetingMP said:
The frontline in Ukraine is the frontline for our freedom and democracy.Our commitment to supporting Ukraine- both in the fight now, andinpreparation to secure the peace we want to see - remainssteadfast and will not waver. We are proud to take command of this multinationalforce, whichdemonstratesthe leading role we will continue to play in supporting our Ukrainian friends.
Lieutenant General Bateman is a distinguished officer who has already displayed military leadership on a national and international level. His command will help strengthen our efforts to support Ukraine's future security.
In the eventofpeace, the MNF-U willhelpreassure Ukraine by enabling safer Ukrainian skies and seas and regeneratingUkrainian Land forces.As part of this, aheadquarterswould alsobeestablishedin Kyiv.
Lieutenant GeneralTom Bateman's militarycareerspansover30years',including asCommander of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters,arapidly deployableheadquarters for the UK Armed Forces,able to respond to crises and conflicts anywhere in the world. Hehas alsoserved as Commander of the 1stDivision of the British Army.
LieutenantGeneral Tom Bateman CBE said:
It is a privilege to assume command of the MNF‑U here at its Operational Headquarters in Paris. Building on the excellent work of my predecessorand his multinational team, we will continue to work closely with our Ukrainian and international partners to prepare a force that will help support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
At a time of continued Russian aggression against Ukraine, our workdemonstratesthe enduring commitment of participating nations to Ukraine's long-term security,sovereigntyand stability.I am honoured to work side by side with the newFrenchDeputy Commander to provide continued British and French leadership to this important Multinational Force which has been declared 'Ready to Operate' at the recent Coalition of theWillingsummit.
Thehandover is a planned rotation between the UK and France,as part of both nations' joint leadership of theMNF-U.
The twin aims of the MNF-Uareregeneration and reassurance.The force will strengthen theArmed Forces of Ukraineby providingtraining and replenishingequipment, putting troops in the best possible position to deter further Russian aggression.
MNF-U patrolsin the skies and seaswill give Ukraine the reassurance it needs to restore commercial air travel, rebuild a thriving economy and attract international investment.
Against a backdrop of continuingbarbaricRussian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, Coalitionof theWillingpartnersremaincommitted to ensuring that any future peace is durable,credibleand underpinned by effective security arrangements.
The MNF-U will buildon the results of therecent Coalition of the Willing leaders' meetingwhichfurther strengthened the resolve of Ukraine's partners to achieve a long-lasting peace that secures Ukraine's future in the European family.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
