UK sends 2 minehunters to Ukraine as Britain and Norway seek to bolster Kyiv’s navy in the Black Sea

By DANICA KIRKA
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Britain and Norway have announced that they are banding together to bolster Ukraine’s navy. Both nations say strong maritime forces were critical to countering Russia’s aggression and securing grain and steel shipments through the Black Sea. U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps says that as part of the efforts, Britain is sending two mine-hunting ships, amphibious armored vehicles and coastal raiding boats to Ukraine. He and Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram announced forming a maritime capability coalition during a news conference Monday in London. Other nations are expected to join soon. The European commitment to Ukraine remains firm, despite fears that U.S. funding will be cut off by a political dispute in Congress.