THE STATEMENT by Nick Herr, director international policy at the Ministry of Defence, said: “The Ukraine could count on any possible assistance in the pursuit of Ukrainian independence”. Nick Herr’s statement was made following talks on a memorandum of mutual understanding and defence cooperation between the UK and Ukraine that could see British troops deployed to the region.

UKIP’s defence spokesman Mike Hookem MEP said: “Nick Herr’s statement is extremely worrying and has massive ramifications for the UK. Are we signing a form of military alliance with a country nearly at war with Russia?”

UKIP has asked Douglas Carswell, UKIP MP, to ask a question calling on the minister to explain exactly what happened in the Ukraine on Monday and make a full statement to the House on the details of the agreement, and how much involvement the UK will have in the Ukrainian conflict going forward.

It is almost unbelievable that the UK would risk further inflaming tensions in the region, when most world leaders are pushing toward a peace deal. The UK’s action could be seen as highly provocative at this most sensitive of times.

Ian Williams (Chairman, UKIP Torfaen)