Exclusive: Ex-Tory MP joins Ukraine’s foreign legion to aid fight against Putin

Kyiv: A former Tory MP, Jack Lopresti, has joined Ukraine’s International Legion. He aims to help in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Jack was the MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke in Gloucestershire. After losing his seat last year, he moved to Kyiv to support Ukraine.

As an MP, he visited Ukraine and pushed for more aid for President Zelensky. He also served in the UK Army Reserve as a corporal.

After losing his seat in July, Jack traveled to Ukraine in November to help a charity. He had always planned to join the International Legion.

Jack applied to join the legion in November. It took time to find the right unit for his skills.

At 55, he is not on the front lines but is doing support work. His tasks include foreign relations, diplomacy, and helping veterans.

Jack travels across Ukraine for his work. Recently, he visited Kharkiv and Poltava in the east.

He feels honored to serve in the Ukrainian military. He believes Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom and for the free world.

Jack warns that if Putin wins, he won’t stop there. He believes dictators must be defeated to ensure global safety.

He says Ukrainians are still determined to fight, nearly three years after the invasion began. Morale remains high among the people.

With Donald Trump looking to negotiate peace, Jack says Ukrainians are curious about the outcome from the US administration.

New laws allow non-Ukrainians to become officers in Ukraine’s army. Jack could be among the first, but his rank paperwork is still being processed.

The Foreign Office has warned that joining the Ukrainian Legion is illegal. However, many British volunteers are already serving in Ukraine.

There are risks, as some British volunteers have been killed or captured. Just as Jack arrived in November, another volunteer was reported captured.