MP who went to Ukraine admires country's resilience

A Gloucestershire MP has been in Ukraine delivering aid to areas near the front line.

Cameron Thomas, Tewkesbury's MP, was in the RAF before being elected at the general election last year.

The Liberal Democrat said going to Ukraine was an emotional experience.

The trip comes at a time when peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, the USA and Europe have become increasingly fractious.

Mr Thomas visited Kiev for the third anniversary of the war, before delivering aid close to the front lines.

The convoy of 10 trucks was delivering essential medical aid such as cancer treatment for children with leukemia.

Mr Thomas said every time Russia bombs a hospital the aid becomes more vital, and that Russia was targeting civilians with drones.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, he said the biggest takeaway from his visit was "the resilience and resolve of the Ukrainian people, and their adoration for the British and the support we've been giving them."

"When we were dropping off aid you can feel the gratitude," Mr Thomas said.

"They regularly cite our finest hour, the Battle of Britain, as a template for what they are doing - standing up to a far superior power and holding their own, and that makes me proud to be British."

He also said he thought the White House spat between American President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Zelensky was an "ambush."

"Zelensky is a hero, a modern day Winston Churchill, and he deserves to be supported, as do the Ukrainian people," he said.

"I've been proud of the way our Prime Minister has conducted himself since the ambush.

"He has taken the lead in Europe, and rallied around President Zelensky, and shown the Ukrainians that however the USA may pivot, we will be steadfast, and that makes me very proud."

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