Describing the war as a fight for freedom and democracy in Europe, Truss said she backed people deciding to make the trip to the conflict zone to counter Russian troops.

“The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine but also for the whole of Europe because that is what President [Vladimir] Putin is challenging. And absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that,” Truss told the BBC’s Sunday Morning program. Asked to clarify if that meant taking up arms she said, “Absolutely if that’s what they want to do.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has set up an international legion to accommodate foreign fighters. His ambassador in London said the embassy had been “bombarded” with people wanting to join the fight. “You wouldn’t believe it. It’s not just Ukrainians. Everybody, from all the nations just asking how we can get in,” Vadym Prystaiko told the BBC.