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Question
The MP thanks the Prime Minister for an advance copy of his statement, noting that it is over 500 days since Putin’s war began. He highlights NATO's unity in support of Ukraine and its collective defence, welcoming progress made at Vilnius including regional plans, intelligence cooperation, the defence production action plan, G7 security commitments to Ukraine, and Sweden's new membership in NATO. Starmer also welcomes the declaration that Ukraine’s future lies within NATO. The MP stresses Labour’s full backing for military assistance and Ukraine joining NATO, crucial given its frontline status in European freedom.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister thanks Keir Starmer but points out it is a bit rich to attack him for missing PMQs while saying he wanted the Prime Minister at the summit.
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Question
The MP welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement, noting his return from Ukraine where Ukrainians expressed gratitude for UK leadership in NATO. He urges the PM to prioritise discussions with US Government to provide equipment that would reduce casualties from mine clearance.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister thanks Iain Duncan Smith for his commitment and visits to Ukraine. He reassures him about close communication with Ukrainian military regarding necessary equipment for clearing minefields and supporting their armed forces.
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Question
The MP expresses support for the Government’s defence Command Paper, asking about lessons learned from modern urban warfare in Ukraine and future opportunities for EU-NATO cooperation. She also asks about grain export deal continuation, UK's military partnership with Finland and Sweden, undersea infrastructure protection, Russian product use by nations, reconstruction efforts unity, and diplomatic efforts to bring international community on board.
Minister reply
The PM supports NATO co-operation with the EU if coherent with NATO requirements, developing capabilities available to NATO, and open to non-EU allies. He commends President Erdoğan’s leadership on grain deal extension. The MOD is working on undersea cable protection through joint expeditionary force, planning for a possible HQ in Scotland. On galvanising international support, he mentions talks with US congressional leaders from both parties.
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Question
On Britain’s contribution, had our excellent Defence Secretary not effectively foreseen the Russian invasion and provided thousands of NLAWs to the Ukrainians, with appropriate training, Russian generals would be having lunch in Kyiv today. The British Army has made a larger contribution than any other army in NATO, including the US, but those organs need to regrow for our own security and to maintain contributions to NATO. Will the Prime Minister promote sense of urgency to regrow these organs?
Minister reply
I agree with my right hon Friend that this House can be proud of leadership shown on Ukraine. £5 billion extra funding was provided in Budget, including £0.5 billion autumn statement for rebuilding stocks. Long-term contracts will increase defence production and create jobs.
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Question
Welcoming PM’s update on support for Ukraine, does he encourage NATO allies to meet their commitments when overseeing cut of British Army by 10,000 troops? Is a sizeable standing army crucial to defence?
Minister reply
We have met the 2% target and led in doing so. The right hon Gentleman’s questions will be answered in the Defence Command Paper.
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Question
Congratulations on summit, what is intention regarding Ukraine's membership of NATO? Without article 5 security guarantee, rebuilding Ukraine would be more difficult.
Minister reply
Accession to NATO has always been a question of conditions. Ukraine is fulfilling requirements for membership, and the PM agrees history will judge this as one of most significant summits.
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Question
Will PM help clarify we owe gratitude to Ukraine? Will he update House on plans not only to help win war, but also to win peace by seizing Russian assets and prosecuting Russia for aggression?
Minister reply
Recently hosted successful conference raising over $60 billion for reconstruction. We are taking steps to legally freeze assets until suitable reparations from Russia have been put in place.
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Question
Welcoming UK’s strong leadership at NATO summit, will PM elaborate on conversations had regarding unlocking resources from Russian assets to help with reconstruction of Ukraine?
Minister reply
New legislation enables sanctions on Russia until Moscow pays compensation to Ukraine. We are pursuing lawful routes and working with allies in G7.
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Question
Does PM agree that when and however current war ends, NATO membership will need to form cornerstone of new security guarantees for people of Ukraine?
Minister reply
People of Ukraine received a strong signal of support from the NATO alliance. Signature of multilateral agreement on security guarantees by G7 represents near-term support.
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Question
Commending PM’s leading role at NATO summit, what more can be done to ensure every country in NATO pays its fair share?
Minister reply
Fought hard for new defence investment pledge setting 2% as enduring commitment and floor. Progress has been made with forecast increase in number of countries meeting 2% next year.
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Question
The Prime Minister knows that UK stockpiles are being depleted due to the war in Ukraine and, for us to rightly sustain our support at the right level, the Government should be fully addressing our diminished defence industrial base and skills shortages. Our NATO allies were swift to reboot their defence plans, yet he has consistently delayed the defence Command Paper. Why is that?
Minister reply
The hon. Member talks about what other allies are doing but, again, that is not the conversation I have been having for the past couple of days: other allies look up to the UK and to the example we have set. We are the ones increasing defence spending, particularly to rebuild stockpiles.
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Question
What conclusions has the Prime Minister drawn about the increased vulnerability of Ukraine since it gave up its nuclear weapons and the contribution that our nuclear weapons make to our own security?
Minister reply
Our nuclear deterrent is the ultimate guarantee of our security. That is why it is so important for the UK and an important part of the contribution we bring to NATO.
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Question
This week, I was at the forum of the NATO summit in Vilnius alongside my right hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr Jones), who is vice-president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly... What are the practical outcomes of what was agreed that will ensure those resources are on the frontline so Ukraine can win sooner rather than later?
Minister reply
I would say to the hon. Lady that that is exactly what we have been doing for the past year, and the Ukrainian Government and people are extremely grateful for our leadership on that issue.
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Question
Noting that a significant number of countries are not providing their 2% commitment, does the Prime Minister have any sense on how they might be encouraged—or even coerced—to do so?
Minister reply
What I am pleased to see is positive forward momentum. We see that in not just the quantum of defence spending across the alliance but the number of individual countries increasing spending and, indeed, forecast to meet the 2% target next year.
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Question
Russia has built 475 new military sites and 50 major new military bases on its northern frontier—its northern flank—in the past six years because the loss of the summer sea ice has exposed that flank. That makes clear the way in which climate change is affecting and endangering all our lives not just in terms of the environment and food security, but militarily... Did he discuss how the northern sea route has been claimed by Russia as an inland sea and how warships are now having to declare when they go through?
Minister reply
I spent a lot of my time talking with our joint expeditionary force allies. As the hon. Gentleman will know, because of the geographic location of JEF, in which we are the leading framework nation, we talk regularly about the security of the high north and the Arctic.
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Question
I thank the Prime Minister for his tireless efforts leading from the front in NATO’s support for Ukraine. The United Kingdom is NATO’s largest European defence spender, spending more than 20 other NATO allies combined... When does the Prime Minister expect all NATO allies to have met the 2% floor?
Minister reply
As soon as possible is what I would like to say. Hopefully, next year we will see very significant progress in the number of countries in the alliance meeting the 2% target—forecast to be almost two thirds next year on a rising trajectory.
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Question
I agree with the Prime Minister that we should be proud of the United Kingdom’s place at the heart of NATO, as I have always been proud of my party’s role in the creation of the alliance... Does he agree that no one should ever try to denigrate or divide anyone from those long-standing parts of our British community?
Minister reply
Those countries in particular value their relationship with the UK. The meetings I had over the past couple of days evidenced that.
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Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the leadership he has shown in this highly successful summit... Can my right hon. Friend comment on how NATO is utilising new technologies to ensure it remains at the cutting edge?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. We have to keep on the cutting edge of new technologies to maintain our military superiority and advantage against adversaries.
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Question
In welcoming the Prime Minister’s statement, I gently encourage him to adopt a slightly different tone rather than phrases such as “new-found affection” for NATO... Will he welcome that fact and work in a statesmanlike way with the Leader of the Opposition, in the national interest?
Minister reply
I was not quibbling at all with the leadership shown by Labour politicians 75 years ago; I was quibbling with that shown just a few years ago.
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Question
Across Watford, as across the UK, people have been so welcoming to those from Ukraine who have been moved from their homes because of the despicable acts of Putin... Does the Prime Minister agree with me that today we are as resolved to help Ukrainians win their war against Putin as we were on day one when he invaded their country?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We remain completely resolute in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes for it to regain its sovereignty and freedom.
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Question
The statements coming out of Vilnius this week make plain that Ukraine will not be admitted to NATO until it enjoys a peaceful relationship with its neighbours... What is the Prime Minister doing to make it plain to Russia that it would be mistaken if it took that as an incentive to sustain its aggression, given that Ukraine is not responsible for the war on its territory?
Minister reply
Very specifically, by leading the conversation and now delivering multilateral security guarantees to Ukraine, which we first spoke about in February at the Munich security conference.
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Question
Welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to leading debate on tackling emerging security threats, including migration crisis. Asks how NATO can play a stronger role in helping southern allies build capabilities and capacity.
Minister reply
Emphasises that illegal migration is one of the new threats faced by NATO; discusses ongoing discussions with Italy to address this issue.
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Question
Critiques Defence Secretary's comments about not being Amazon, highlighting that a year ago the UK-led international effort created a fund of £770 million for military aid to Ukraine but none has been delivered. Asks when this military aid will arrive in Ukraine.
Minister reply
Acknowledges support shown by Britain and states that the International Fund for Ukraine was coordinated among allies, ensuring vital supplies reach Ukrainian armed forces.
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Question
Asks about conversations held at NATO regarding AI usage in military contexts, particularly following deepfakes of President Zelensky.
Minister reply
Highlights the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic’s focus on harnessing dual-use commercial technologies such as AI; mentions hosting a global summit later this year.
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Question
Welcomes Prime Minister's work in NATO, asks about thoughts on possibility of establishing a special tribunal for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia.
Minister reply
Confirms UK’s leadership role in state-party referral to the International Criminal Court; mentions joining core group countries exploring options for criminal accountability.
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Question
Congratulates Prime Minister on role played leading to Turkey agreeing Sweden's accession to NATO, expresses gratitude towards submariners for their service.
Minister reply
Appreciates recognition of submariners' vital job under difficult conditions; highlights importance of nuclear deterrent to national and NATO security.
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Question
Questions why Conservatives have given the smallest Army for 300 years, contrasting with founding of NATO by Labour's Ernie Bevin.
Minister reply
Highlights importance of adapting capabilities to current threats; mentions record levels of defence investment.
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Question
Praises Ernie Bevin for founding NATO and questions UK’s action against Wagner Group in Africa, which is using trade in natural resources to avoid sanctions.
Minister reply
Confirms working closely with partners including France; mentions sanctioning the Wagner Group entirely.
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Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
Asks about efforts being made to strengthen relationship with Turkey following historic changes in stance.
Minister reply
Highlights close partnership with Turkey; discusses strengthening economic, defence and illegal migration relationships.
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Question
Questions assessment of China’s response to NATO statement welcoming new programme with Japan while criticising Chinese military advancements, mentioning vague threat against Beijing's rights.
Minister reply
Clarifies that NATO is defensive; highlights strengthening partnerships with nations in the Indo-Pacific including economic and defence relationships.