Former British MP joins Ukrainian military

(MENAFN) Giacomo ‘Jack’ Lopresti, a 55-year-old former British Conservative MP, has joined the Ukrainian military following his loss of a parliamentary seat in the 2024 election. Now residing in Kiev, Lopresti has enlisted in Ukraine's International Legion, a unit formed to recruit foreign fighters since the conflict with Russia intensified in 2022. With previous experience as a corporal in the UK army Reserve, Lopresti is putting his military skills to use in Ukraine, focusing on foreign relations, weapons procurement, and working with veterans and charities in the country.

Lopresti expressed optimism about Ukraine’s prospects, despite media reports of high desertion rates and morale issues within the Ukrainian military. He is also hopeful of a promotion to an officer position, as Ukraine has recently allowed foreign nationals to rise beyond non-commissioned ranks.

Foreign fighters, such as Lopresti, are viewed as mercenaries by Russia, and Moscow has warned that they are legitimate military targets. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised concerns over the transparency of US military aid, admitting uncertainty about the whereabouts of much of the $200 billion claimed, with only $76 billion being confirmed as received.

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