The British government said that it would replace its departing defense secretary, Ben Wallace, a well-respected former soldier who came to symbolize Britain’s steadfast support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.
His successor, Grant Shapps, a close ally of Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, has signaled that he would maintain Britain’s support for Ukraine.
The appointment has surprised experts: Shapps’s name was not on most short lists of candidates for the post, which has become particularly high profile since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
