Former Tory MP enlists in Ukraine's International Legion to support fight against Russia
Photo: X / Jack Lopresti
Former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in Great Britain, 55-year-old Jack Lopresti, has voluntarily joined the International Legion of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
He reported this on X and in an interview with the Independent.
While still an MP, Lopresti repeatedly visited Ukraine and supported the provision of more aid to Kyiv in parliament. However, after the Conservative Party was defeated in the July 2024 elections, he lost his seat in parliament.
Later, he revisited Ukraine to help a charity organization. Even then, he intended to join the army.
Photo: X / Jack Lopresti
"I applied to join the legion in November. It took time to find the best unit to use my experience and skills," the man said.
Lopresti is engaged in support roles, focusing on diplomacy and weapons procurement while working with veterans and charitable organizations in Ukraine.
He currently lives in Kyiv but regularly visits other regions. Last week, the serviceman visited Kharkiv and Poltava.
Photo: X / Jack Lopresti
The former deputy emphasizes that it is a "great honor and immense" privilege to serve in the Ukrainian army. He is convinced that Ukrainians are fighting not only for their own state but also for Europe and the rest of the "free world."
"If Putin wins in Ukraine, we all know he won't stop there. Dictators have to be defeated, or they never stop. The ramifications would also be enormous for the rest of the world, particularly in places like Taiwan. With the authoritarian axis of dictatorships – China, Iran, and North Korea – on the march and clearly working together, Ukraine must be supported and given the tools to win for all our sakes," Lopresti emphasized.
For reference:
Foreign citizens are already fighting in the Defense Forces of Ukraine, not as representatives of their countries' armed forces but as volunteers.
Even at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called on citizens of foreign countries who were friends of Ukraine to join the territorial defense forces.
A separate unit was formed from them—the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. In March 2022, the Ministry of Defense reported that 55 countries have representatives in the International Legion.
In addition, a website was launched in Ukraine that contains all the necessary information for citizens of foreign countries who want to join the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine.
Also, in June 2024, Ukraine's intelligence reported on the simplification of service in military intelligence for foreigners.
