Shoigu invited Wallace to Moscow
London/Moscow. January 22. INTERFAX - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has accepted an invitation from his British counterpart Ben Wallace to hold talks on topical security issues, The Independent wrote on Saturday, citing a source in the British Ministry of Defense.
"The British Defense Minister welcomes the fact that Russia has accepted the invitation to the talks," the newspaper quoted an unnamed senior representative of the British defense ministry as saying.
On January 17, Wallace announced the invitation of Russian Defense Minister Shoigu to London in the coming weeks to discuss common security interests.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported yesterday that Shoigu confirmed his readiness to hold talks with Wallace and invited him to Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
"Sergei Shoigu confirmed to his British counterpart his readiness to discuss all relevant security issues and, based on the principles of reciprocity, offered to hold talks in Moscow at any time convenient for the British Defense Minister," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Shoigu sent Wallace a reply letter, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation informed.
"In his address, Sergei Shoigu reminded B. Wallace that "the possibility of constructive dialogue was demonstrated by the parties during the visit of the Russian delegation to London in 2013," where the defense and foreign ministers held talks in the 2+2 format," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Wallace last Monday announced the invitation of the head of Shoigu to London in the coming weeks to discuss common interests in the field of security.
"Today I am sending an invitation to my Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu to visit London in the next few weeks," Wallace said, speaking in the House of Commons of Parliament.
"We are ready to discuss issues that relate to common security concerns, and to constructive cooperation in good faith," he stressed.
According to Wallace, Moscow's behavior is becoming "increasingly threatening," and the UK will help Ukraine increase its defensive potential. In particular, Wallace promised to supply Ukraine with light anti-tank weapons for defensive purposes. In addition, the British military will present a professional training program for the Ukrainian military within a short period of time.
"It is important that Ukraine has the capabilities for self-defense," Wallace said.
