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Ben Wallace, the UK's defense minister, informed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of his resignation on Thursday in a letter. Reuters said that in the letter, Ben Wallace cautioned Sunak against considering defense as a "discretionary spend" and offered the government his continued support.

Ben Wallace, who helped lead Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, declared last month that he would quit the role after four years and that he would step down as a legislator at the next general election in order to pursue other opportunities.

It was the former UK defense minister's intention to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as NATO Secretary General; however, the former Norwegian prime minister's term was extended by an additional year.

Wallace, a 53-year-old former captain in the British army, held smaller ministerial positions in earlier administrations before former prime leader and friend Boris Johnson designated him defense minister in 2019.

Wallace's resignation shocked several members of the ruling Conservative Party, but it was not thought that London's support for Ukraine would be affected.

Wallace reiterated his plea for the administration to refrain from cutting defense budget in his letter of resignation.

He wrote, "With world-class personnel, the Ministry of Defence is again on the way to being world-class once more.

"I know you agree with me that we cannot go back to the days when the government viewed defense as a discretionary expenditure and savings were attained by hollowing out."

That's all, folks," he wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. been an honor to serve this magnificent country.

Wallace received appreciation from Sunak for his efforts, who wrote in response that Wallace has held three of the most difficult government positions—defence secretary, security minister, and minister for Northern Ireland.

"I fully appreciate your desire to leave the ministry after eight years of demanding ministerial responsibilities."

Grant Shapps, who has held positions as energy secretary, transport secretary, and, temporarily, home secretary, will take Wallace's place as secretary for energy security and net zero, according to the BBC. This will be Shapps' fifth cabinet position in less than a year.

Shapps ran for prime minister in 2022 to succeed Boris Johnson but withdrew to back Rishi Sunak.