Supporting Britons fighting for Ukraine was 'too forward leaning' admits Liz Truss

However, in an interview with GB News the former prime minister said the comments were “perhaps too forward leaning”.

She told this broadcaster: “What the sort of philosophy behind it was, was that I think It's a moral war that's being fought by the Ukrainians.”

“And I didn't want British people to, I wasn't encouraging them to go. I just felt that it was a moral cause.”

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Truss said of British people who were looking to fight in Zelenskyy’s army: “That is something people can make their own decisions about.”

“The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe.”

“Absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that.”

The comments drew criticism at the time as being reckless.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve said: “The comments of the foreign secretary may be entirely honourable and understandable, but unless the UK government gives formal licence to people to go to Ukraine, they would be in breach of the Foreign Enlistment Act and committing a criminal offence.”

Truss’s comments come after the US House of Representatives passed a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine on Saturday.

Some 112 Republicans voted against the military support, with many raising concerns around American taxpayer money being spent on foreign countries instead of on domestic concerns such as border control.

Commenting on the Saturday vote Truss said: “I think the American border needs to be sorted out and I think what is happening is appalling and a dereliction of duty by Biden.”

“That doesn't mean that Russia winning in Ukraine would be a good thing.”

“And what we need to do is we need to be taking on these authoritarian regimes. And Russia is not working in isolation. They're working with Iran. They're essentially working with China.”

The former prime minister continued: “And that isn't just a massive threat to Europe. It's also a massive threat to the United States. But what I would like to see is I'd like to see the US president providing the weapons that are actually required in Ukraine. So long range weapons, planes that will actually help take the fight to Russia.”

Truss said the only way she sees the war ending is with “Russia being pushed out of the entirety of Ukraine”.

America’s military aid package is expected to be passed in the Senate and signed off by Joe Biden this week in a move that will encourage the Ukrainian army.

Following Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive last year the country has been attempting to persuade its allies to send more ammunition and weapons to support its fight against Russia.

Members of Congress waved Ukrainian flags following the successful vote for military aid.

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Democrats waiving Ukrainian flags on your House floor when the bill passed sending another 60B of your treasure to fund the war machine.”

“100% deficit money. Borrowed on the backs of your children. Wake up America.”

Many Republicans have argued that America cannot afford another spending package for Ukraine with the US national debt standing at around $34 trillion.

So-called ‘America First’ supporters have raised concerns that the money could be better spent on protecting the US southern border.