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A former Tory MP who misplaced his seat on the normal election final yr has joined the Ukrainian worldwide legion to assist in the struggle towards Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Jack Lopresti, an ex-deputy chairman of the Conservative Celebration, was beforehand the MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke in Gloucestershire however now could be primarily based in Kyiv utilizing his expertise within the ongoing conflict.
As an MP Lopresti had visited Ukraine beforehand and had been a powerful advocate in parliament for extra help to assist President Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts to defeat Russia. He additionally served within the UK Military Reserve as a corporal.
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After shedding his seat in July as a part of the Tory wipeout throughout the UK, Lopresti travelled to Ukraine to assist a charity in November.
Nevertheless, the previous MP instructed The Impartial that his intention then had been to affix the worldwide legion from the beginning.
He stated: “I did apply to affix the legion in November, it took some time to seek out the perfect unit to utilise my expertise and expertise.”
The 55-year-old is just not in a frontline infantry unit however is finishing up assist work. His navy duties and focus embody overseas relations and diplomacy, weapons procurement, and a few work with veterans and different charities working in Ukraine.
He instructed The Impartial: “I am primarily based in Kyiv, however I continually journey throughout Ukraine,” including that previously week he had been to the cities of Kharkiv and Poltava within the nation’s east.
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He stated: “It’s a large honour and an immense privilege for me to serve within the Ukrainian navy and have the ability to assist the gallant and superb Ukrainian individuals in any means I can.
“They aren’t solely combating for his or her freedom and their proper to exist as a unbiased and sovereign nation, they’re additionally combating for all of us, in Europe and the remainder of the free world. If Putin wins in Ukraine everyone knows he will not cease there. Dictators need to be defeated, or they by no means cease.
“The ramifications would even be huge for the remainder of the world, notably in locations like Taiwan. With the authoritarian axis of dictatorships, China, Iran, and North Korea on the march and clearly working collectively, Ukraine must be supported and given the instruments to win for all of our sakes.”
Lopresti stated that the Ukrainians are nonetheless very a lot up for the struggle in Ukraine virtually three years after Putin launched his invasion on 24 February 2022.
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He stated: “They’re very decided certainly. Morale is excessive. A really resolute feeling.”
With Donald Trump planning to attempt to carry the battle to a swift finish with a deal, he admitted that Ukrainians at the moment are ready to see what the result could also be.
He stated: “I believe we’re all ready with curiosity with what comes from the US administration, in an optimistic means.”
The regulation just lately modified to permit for non-Ukrainians to develop into officers within the nation’s military, that means Lopresti may very well be one of many first, though he says his rank and paperwork is presently being processed.
The International Workplace has warned that becoming a member of the Ukrainian worldwide legion is prohibited though it isn’t clear if this consists of non-combat volunteers. To date the federal government has not tried to implement the regulation with scores of British volunteers heading to the battle to serve and no person has been threatened with authorized motion because the Spanish Civil Conflict within the Nineteen Thirties.
The hazard although has been highlighted by British volunteers being killed or captured by the Russians. Whilst Lopresti travelled out in November one other volunteer, reported to be James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, a former British Military soldier, was captured.
