The British Army has said it is ready to deploy to Ukraine if requested by the government. This week, 2,500 UK troops from the Army's high readiness force, the First Division, have been taking part in a large Nato exercise in Romania - on a training area just 16 miles (25km) from the border with Ukraine.

Years of spending cuts have removed the ability of British forces to prosecute a war against a peer adversary for an extended time.

British prime minister, Keir Starmer on Monday declared that he is prepared to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine. He said this would happen if there is a deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.