Jack Lopresti, an ex-deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, has joined the Ukrainian international legion to help in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
He said this in an interview with The Independent, Ukrinform reports.
“I did apply to join the legion in November, it took a while to find the best unit to utilize my experience and skills,” Lopresti said.
The 55-year-old is not in a frontline infantry unit but is carrying out support work.
His military duties and focus include foreign relations and diplomacy, weapons procurement, and some work with veterans and other charities operating in Ukraine.
“I’m based in Kyiv, but I constantly travel across Ukraine,” Lopresti said, adding that in the past week he had been to the cities of Kharkiv and Poltava in the country’s east.
As an MP Lopresti had visited Ukraine previously and had been a strong advocate in parliament for more aid to help President Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts to defeat Russia.
He also served in the UK Army Reserve as a corporal.
“It is a huge honor and an immense privilege for me to serve in the Ukrainian military and be able to help the gallant and amazing Ukrainian people in any way I can people,” Lopresti said.
