Reuters reports that Britain is supplying weapons to Ukraine against tanks

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain said on Monday it was supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help defend it from a possible invasion during a stop with Russia, which has gathered troops near the Ukrainian border.

Western countries say they fear they are preparing an excuse for a new attack on Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2014.

Moscow denies plans to attack, but said it could take unspecified military action if the West did not accept a list of demands, including a ban on Ukraine from joining NATO. Last week’s talks ended without progress. Kyiv has called for weapons to help Western countries protect themselves.

“We have decided to supply Ukraine with light weapons defense systems,” British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told parliament, saying the first systems had been delivered on Monday and that a small number of British workers would provide training in the short term. of time.

He did not specify the number or type of weapons being sent, but said: “They are not strategic weapons and do not pose a threat to Russia. They should be used for self-defense.”

“These are short-range.

Wallace said he had invited Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to visit London in the coming weeks to discuss the crisis, although he did not know whether the Russians would accept it.

“The current gap is wide, but it is not fixed. I still hope that diplomacy will prevail. It is President Putin’s (Vladimir) option,” Wallace said.