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Ukraine
27 April 2023
Lead MP
Andrew Murrison
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
UkraineDefence
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
Andrew Murrison raised concerns about ukraine in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
On Friday, the Defence Secretary met his counterparts at Ramstein air base for the 11th meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group. The focus was on accelerating the delivery of military aid packages to assist Ukraine in expelling Russian forces from occupied territory. The UK is a leading provider of military support and donated modern main battle tanks as the first country to do so, completing delivery with training packages including Challenger 2 tanks, AS-90 self-propelled guns, armoured vehicles, and missiles. A total of £520 million was raised in the first bidding round for donations through the UK-led international fund, receiving over 1,500 expressions of interest from suppliers across 40 countries. Over 14,000 Ukrainian recruits have returned to defend their homeland after training by the UK and other nations, expected to reach 20,000 this year.
John Healey
Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Question
Concerned about the flagging momentum in military aid to Ukraine, questions include lack of new weapons pledges since February, no 2023 action plan as promised last August, only one contract from international fund launched last year. Also mentioned war crime tribunals and Ukrainian refugees' issues.
Minister reply
The UK is leading Europe in supporting Ukraine with £5 billion allocated for replenishing stocks and a total of £520 million raised through the international fund. The government will continue to support Ukraine's efforts, but no apologies are made for using munitions to defend democratic integrity against aggression.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
What estimate has the Minister made of the continuing ability of Ukraine to deny air superiority to Russia?
Minister reply
Ukraine continues to prevail in all dimensions, and the international fund is active in providing air defence which is crucial for winning this conflict.
Question
What are the UK Government doing to get defensive weapons, including ammunition, to Bakhmut as soon as possible? Are they coordinating with producers and European allies regarding iodine tablets and radiation treatment?
Minister reply
The UK stands ready to assist in any way it can be of help, particularly given the concerns raised about nuclear blackmail at Zaporizhzhia.
Question
What efforts are being made to replenish stocks of weapons? Our generosity has come at a cost and Britain must keep its arms ready.
Minister reply
Some £5 billion from the integrated review refresh and spring Budget will be used for replenishing stocks. The munitions expended in Ukraine defend democracy against territorial aggression.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Question
Questions the frequency of ministerial statements on Ukraine, inquires about the current state of munitions stockpiles for both domestic use and support to Ukraine.
Minister reply
Concentrates on supporting Ukraine through munitions supply and training efforts. Acknowledges the spring Budget provided substantial funding for replenishment.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Inquires about the role of UK armed forces in delivering weapons to Ukraine and potential escalation with Russia.
Minister reply
Emphasises the need for diplomatic settlement, acknowledges ongoing training efforts, aiming to train 20,000 Ukrainians by year-end.
South Shields
Question
Asks about concrete actions following the Prime Minister's stockpile review and plans for growing defence industrial capacity.
Minister reply
Highlights ongoing negotiations with defence partners, acknowledges rapidity of industry responses in providing armaments.
Giles Watling
Con
Question
Asks for assurance on UK military presence inside Ukraine to protect diplomatic missions.
Minister reply
Provides assurance, emphasising the importance of protecting those engaged in diplomacy.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
Inquires about protection measures for North Sea assets and UK critical national infrastructure from potential threats.
Minister reply
Acknowledges ongoing investigations regarding Nord Stream gas pipeline interdiction; assures subsea surveillance is prioritised.
Duncan Baker
Con
Question
Asks about humanitarian support, particularly in providing ambulances and 4x4s.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for armoured ambulances; mentions provision of CVR(T)-Saracen ambulances to Ukraine.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Question
Questions about plans for replenishing military stockpiles and adapting defence procurement.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for agile provision of munitions, highlighting the Budget's £5 billion uplift for nuclear endeavours.
Ben Everitt
Con
Question
Inquires about measures to enhance Ukrainian interoperability with NATO forces.
Minister reply
Confirms ongoing work to ensure interoperability and anticipation of enhancements at the upcoming NATO summit.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent
Question
Asks about longer-range weapons provided to Ukraine and their supply timeline.
Minister reply
Confirms provision of AS-90 artillery pieces; emphasises defensive nature of support.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Question
Inquires about delivery status of kit and equipment announced in January, including Challenger 2 tanks and AS-90s.
Minister reply
Confirms the delivery has been made.
Valerie Vaz
Lab
Walsall and Bloxwich
Question
Asks when the Defence Secretary last spoke to NATO Secretary-General regarding today’s announcement and Chinese negotiations.
Minister reply
Offers to write a response with the required information.
Simon Fell
Con
Question
Requests assurance that aid funding for Ukraine will not come from the core Defence budget.
Minister reply
Provides assurance that aid funding will be separate from the core Defence budget.
Drew Hendry
Lab
Question
Questions why the UK Government has delayed in declaring the Wagner Group a trans-national terror organisation.
Minister reply
Confirms sanctions on over 1,500 individuals and entities connected to this conflict, including the Wagner Group.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Question
The Minister was slightly unfair to the shadow Secretary of State in saying that he welcomed and understood his attacking: my hon. Friend was not attacking but doing his proper and constitutional job, as a spokesperson for His Majesty’s loyal Opposition, of holding the Government to account.
Minister reply
I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is not lost. I probably would not trust a member of the Government to make that assertion, but President Zelensky himself has made it plain in his remarks that the UK has played a formidable leadership role in ensuring that Ukraine can repel Putin’s barbarism and the atrocity committed upon the state of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
I am proud that the UK has taken a lead on Ukraine and has brought together allies from across the world to play their part. One of the ways that we have done that is through the British armed forces training programme, bringing those Ukrainian armed forces personnel up to speed with the latest fighting techniques.
Minister reply
I visited the Ukrainians training in the UK and spoke with them and their trainers. They are an extraordinary bunch of people. By the end of the year we will have trained 20,000 of them. The quality of our training is peerless, right across the domains that one would expect.
Barnsley South
Question
Given the seriousness of the situation, why are Ministers pressing ahead with further cuts to the British Army, with troop numbers estimated to fall by a further 10,000?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady should be careful about what she reads in the press. We have been consistent in our support for the armed forces. I am grateful for the shadow Secretary of State’s support for what the Government are trying to achieve in Ukraine.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow North West
Question
What estimate has the Minister made of the number of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by Russian forces? What support has been offered to Ukrainian forces to return those children to their parents?
Minister reply
The removal of children from Ukraine to Russia is truly shocking and heartrending. The best we can hope for is that Putin sees the reputational damage that it delivers to him and his country and reverses his policy.
Gareth Thomas
Lab Co-op
Harrow West
Question
We all want the Ukrainian counter-offensive to be successful. My right hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey) was right to challenge the Government on whether they are adhering to their commitments. On the point about long-range missiles, which my right hon. Friend and others have pressed the Minister on
Minister reply
Our provision of munitions, in concert with others, is driven by the Ukrainian ask and our ability to deliver them. That was discussed at Ramstein and will be discussed further at Vilnius, subject to the second round of the international fund call that opened on 11 April.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
In the face of a Russian invasion, we must continue to support and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. But this war has exposed how the Conservative Government have underfunded and hollowed out our armed forces over the last 13 years.
Minister reply
As the hon. Gentleman should know, we committed to 148 Challenger 3 upgrades in the integrated review refresh. That remains our position.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
A few moments ago, the Minister said that we must give to Ukraine what Ukraine tells us it needs. All of us here will have been in Westminster Hall to hear President Zelensky’s impassioned speech.
Minister reply
Ukraine has had munitions from the international community, and in particular from the United Kingdom. We plan to train pilots to operate jets.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Question
The demand for prosthetic limbs in Ukraine continues to climb owing to the conflict.
Minister reply
Recently, I was pleased to visit the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, which is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence. Its expertise will undoubtedly influence how Ukraine develops its capacity in prosthetics.
Shadow Comment
John Healey
Shadow Comment
Concerns were raised about the faltering momentum of military aid to Ukraine since January. No new weapons have been pledged since February, no action plan for 2023 has been made public despite promises last August, and only one contract has been signed from the international fund launched last year. Criticisms also included lack of support for war crime tribunals and addressing Ukrainian refugees' issues such as homelessness.
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