The hitherto UK Defense Minister, Ben Wallace, has officially presented his resignation this Thursday, a month and a half after some controversial statements about Ukraine, within the framework of the last NATO summit in Vilnius (Lithuania). His replacement will be the until now Secretary of Energy, Grant Shapps.

“After much reflection, I have made the decision to ask that be allowed to resign. I won my seat in 2005, and after all these years, it’s time for me to invest in parts of life that I’ve left behind and explore new opportunities. Thank you for your support and friendship. You and your Government have my continued support,” he said. In a letter sent to the ‘first’ British, Wallace indicated that last month he completed four years in office and nine as minister, before highlighting “the privilege of serving under his command and that of his predecessors in the task of protecting this great country and keeping its citizens safe.

“As you know, that responsibility entails a duty 24 hours a day, seven days a weekand being available almost without prior notice”, he said, while stressing that “during the last four years, the (British) Armed Forces and their leadership have shone”. “Whether it was the evacuation of Kabul, the response In the face of COVID-19, Ukraine or Sudan, the professionalism of our people has been top-level”, he applauded. Thus, he has shown his “great gratitude” to Sunak for his work as prime minister and has argued that “the Ministry of Defense he is leaving is more modern, better funded and more trusted than the organization whose leadership he took over in 2019.” “In addition to being active around the world, we have invested in the prosperity of the country,” he argued.

“The Ministry of Defense is back on track to be world class again, with world class people. The UK is respected around the world by our Armed Forcesand this respect has only grown since the start of the war in Ukraine”, he underlined. In this sense, he has shown his conviction that “during the next decade the world will be more insecure and unstable”, for which he explained that “It is time to invest” to reinforce the defensive capabilities of the United Kingdom, according to the aforementioned letter, published by Sunak’s office through its website.

In response, Sunak has moved to Wallace that “has served the country with distinction” and has highlighted his “strategic vision and clearwhich have been of incalculable value for the country and the security of the continent”. “You saw, before others, what were the Vladimir Putin’s true intentions in Ukraine. His determination to deliver weapons to Kiev before the Russians attacked had a material effect on the Ukrainians’ ability to prevent the invasion,” the ‘premier’ said.

“I am proud of how this country has led the response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. You have played an absolutely vital role in building support for Ukraine, both at home and abroad,” he said, while he has indicated that Wallace has displayed “exceptional judgment” in “the most difficult situations”. Sunak has also transferred to Wallace that “his dedication and abilities with which he has carried out his Responsibilities as Minister of Defense have been hallmarks of his belief in public service and his deep commitment to the UK Armed Forces and security.”

“I fully understand your desire to resign after eight years of grueling ministerial duties.“, stressed Sunak, who has transferred to his resigned minister that “he is personally grateful for his loyalty and advice” since he took office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Wallace’s controversial statements

Wallace announced on July 15 that he would not stand for re-election as a deputy in the next elections and that he would leave the Council of Ministers, days after stating during the last NATO summit in Vilnius that UK was not an “Amazon” arms parcel service for Ukraine and urged kyiv to be wise and “show gratitude” to its supporters.

Sunak then qualified his comments and stressed that Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky “has repeatedly expressed his gratitude for what we have done.” Zelenski himself later said that “we will always be grateful to the United Kingdom.”

Wallace, 53, seemed interested in replacing Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general, but the Briton himself apparently ruled out after failing to get support from United States.