It's cheaper to deter Putin now than to allow him to win - British Defense Secretary

Photo: British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps (Getty Images)

It is much cheaper for Western allies to deter Vladimir Putin here and now than to allow him to win the war against Ukraine, states British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps.

"It is essential that Putin does not win that war. The question now is what does that mean? I don't think an aggressor should be rewarded and in the end it is up to Ukraine to decide if they are prepared to have a settlement," says Shapps.

He also appealed to allies, explaining why they should continue to provide the necessary assistance to Ukraine.

"My simple message to the world and in particular to the US... is it is a lot cheaper to defend and therefore to deter Putin here and now than it is to allow him to win," the British Defense Secretary emphasized.

He noted that Russia's victory in the war in Ukraine would allow "other autocrats elsewhere getting the idea that the rest of the world is a soft touch and you can walk in and take over countries".

UK's assistance to Ukraine

Recently, the UK announced a new military aid package worth 60 million pounds to Ukraine. This amount includes drones and air defense equipment.

The UK is also considering providing Kyiv with a laser weapons prototype to shoot down drones and missiles.

In addition, on April 10, Ukraine and the UK signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of defense equipment.