‘Thank you, Ben Wallace!’ Ukraine bemused and irritated by UK’s call for gratitude

The UK defence secretary accused Ukraine of ingratitude for Britain’s military aid

Ukrainians have reacted with bemusement, mild irritation and irony to Ben Wallace’s notorious comments that the country should be more grateful for the help it is receiving from the UK and other allies as it fights off Russian aggression.

Kyiv previously regarded Wallace as a staunch supporter and friend. His remarks – on the second day of the Nato summit in Lithuania last week – mystified officials. “Whether we like it or not, people want to see a bit of gratitude,” Wallace said, asked about president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s frustration at not being given a formal invitation to join Nato.