Signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Ukraine

Three swords.  I wrote earlier this month about how day-to-day military co-operation could help reform Ukraine's armed forces and, if Ukraine so decides, help the country move closer to potential NATO membership.  That's one reason why the UK in its relationship with Ukraine places such huge emphasis on training of future military leaders at the tactical, operational and strategic level. And it's why I'm delighted to be invited to the Ukrainian National Defence Academy to present the prize to the best student in this year's Operational - Strategic Course.  

When I arrive at 9.30 on Saturday morning I'm met by General Radetskiy, General of the Army and Commander of the National Defence Academy.  First, I and Colonel General Vorobyiov, Acting Chief of General Staff, sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Ukraine on co-operation in the field of topography and cartography.  We then move through to the ceremony where this year's graduates from the Srategic - Operational Course are standing to attention on one side of the room, with their proud families on the other.  A military band plays the magnificent Ukrainian national anthem (far more tuneful than most, in my view); then there are speeches and then the graduates are awarded with their diplomas. After I have made my speech, I award the prize to the top graduate, Major General Bokiy.  I present him with a full-sized British Army Sword, first presented by the UK's Chief of Defence Staff in 1996 and held in the Academy's museum, then give him a miniature sword - a rather elegant object - for him to keep.  I also present a further miniature sword to General Vorobyiov, who came top of the Strategic - Operational course in 2004 but did not receive a prize on that occasion.  It's not often I handle a sword, and three in one day is a record.  But the symbolism is powerful as the new graduates shout "I serve Ukraine" and kneel in front of the flag. Ukraine may only be 18 years old, but institutions such as the armed forces are tangible evidence of the country's development.  They also demonstrate a noteworthy aspect of the maturity of Ukraine's democracy: throughout the Orange Revolution of 2004, the armed forces conspicuously did not become involved and the months of street protests passed off without bloodshed.  This seems like a great example to armed forces everywhere.