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Ukraine
17 January 2022
Lead MP
Ben Wallace
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
UkraineDefence
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Ben Wallace 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
Mr Speaker, I update the House on the situation in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of Russian troops are near Ukrainian borders, equipped with tanks and missiles. The UK is concerned about potential conflict or miscalculation due to this build-up, alongside increased rhetoric and cyber-activity from Russia. NATO is a defensive alliance; countries choose it freely without Russian interference. The UK will not accept attempts by Russia to veto other nations' choices of alliances. I extend an invitation for my counterpart Sergei Shoigu to visit London soon for mutual security discussions.
The UK supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Crimea, and provides military support through training initiatives like Operation Orbital, which has trained over 22,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015. New measures include naval co-operation, supplying mine counter-measure vessels and producing new defensive ships.
In light of Russian aggression, the UK is providing a security assistance package to enhance Ukraine's defensive capabilities with anti-armour weapons systems, complementing existing support from allies like NATO and the US. This aid will not threaten Russia but will enable self-defence for Ukraine. The Prime Minister has warned that destabilising actions by Russia would lead to significant consequences.
While diplomacy remains a priority, I stress that any invasion of Ukraine could result in severe loss of life and further destabilise international order.
Rory Stewart
Con
Penrith and The Border
Question
In view of the situation, will the Minister consider offering military assistance to Ukraine beyond defensive aid? Does he agree that NATO should be considering a collective response?
Minister reply
The UK is providing support within the framework agreed by Parliament. We are clear that any invasion would have significant consequences and there is an international sanctions package ready if necessary.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
Question
What efforts are being made to encourage a diplomatic resolution, especially in light of the Russian build-up?
Minister reply
We engage with Russia through multiple channels including NATO and bilateral talks. Our aim is to avoid miscalculation and work towards de-escalation.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Slough
Question
Given the ongoing tensions, what additional support will be offered to Ukraine's military through Operation Orbital?
Minister reply
The package announced includes light anti-armour weapons and early-stage training. This supports Ukraine’s existing capabilities while reinforcing its ability to defend itself.
John Healey
Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Question
Welcomes the Government’s steps towards international diplomatic efforts to de-escalate threats. Asks about visits to Ukraine, NATO's offer of dialogue with Russia, and the range of defensive weapons being provided.
Minister reply
Thanked for support; explained that NATO has acknowledged Russian security concerns but offered no specifics beyond transparency initiatives like Vienna inspections. Stated weapons systems are short-range and defensive in nature.
Tobias Ellwood
Con
Bournemouth East
Question
Acknowledges the Defence Secretary's efforts to keep the House informed and work behind scenes with NATO. Asks about when anti-armour weapon systems will be operational and what additional support could be offered if Russia invades.
Minister reply
First systems delivered today; training package will not be drawn out due to simplicity of these short-range weapons. Reiterated that UK troops won't deploy but sanctions, diplomatic consequences, and economic measures would be explored.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
Many thanks, Mr Speaker. I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement. We remain clear that Russia’s actions in recent weeks and months, with the massing of 100,000 combat-ready troops, tanks and heavy military equipment near Ukraine’s eastern border, is unacceptable. In that we are in accord with the Government... Will the Secretary of State confirm what role the Russian military studies centre at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham has in informing the Government’s thinking in this crisis? Can he reassure the House that the work to deliver a peaceful and diplomatic outcome remains this Government’s main priority?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman and his party for supporting our progress so far... I would defend Sweden and Finland’s right to choose. If they choose not to join NATO, that is their choice.
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that, as well as helping Ukraine militarily, we constantly need to make it clear to President Putin that his very concept of a Russian near abroad—a veto on the security and foreign policies of his geographic neighbours—is at odds with international law and completely at odds with the concept of self-determination? Does my right hon. Friend agree that what we are witnessing now is a classic example of the KGB doctrine of reflexive control, which is all too often a precursor to Russian military action?
Minister reply
What we are seeing, as the United States said, is the playbook narratives, cyber-attacks, disruption of minorities and division all used to prey on that country... If there were a successful invasion of Ukraine, what would it mean for President Putin’s other ambitions?
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement and commend him for his article in The Times this morning, which laid out clearly the false narrative that President Putin is using to justify his actions against Ukraine. What more can be done in the information war? Will he specifically back an initiative by Congressman Gerry Connolly, the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, who is calling for a centre for democracy within NATO to argue the case for why the freedoms of thought and action are so important?
Minister reply
On the latter question, I would definitely support NATO and NATO members going out and about and supporting not only the values we stand for, but my point about the right to choose, even if the choice is not NATO... We must never stop arguing for that and making the case.
Thomas Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
Question
I very much welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and the support across the House for the Ukrainian people. It is quite true that a free people choose freedom, and the Ukrainian people are trying to do just that... Even countries that have had such strong relations with them, including the Ukrainian people, are now seeking assistance from us to ensure that their homes are not violated by Russian troops?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point. If the aim of President Putin is to de-escalate, or push back NATO from his borders, he should reflect on why so many people have wanted to join NATO... That is not because of NATO—there is no secret plot—but because of the actions of the President of Russia.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
The Defence Secretary is absolutely right. When Putin talks of trying to bring together ethnic Russians into the motherland, it does remind one of the 1930s, when Hitler referred to trying to bring all Germans, including Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia, back into mother Germany... The all-party parliamentary group on Russia has been keen to ensure, as have the House and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, that we are not normalising our political relationships until such time as Russia is able to hand over the evidence that is clearly needed in relation to Salisbury.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right on his last point... The course of action is through dialogue and addressing the here and now, not harking back to snippets of history.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Mr Putin knows that NATO will not start world war three to defend Ukraine, but has he been made aware of precisely what non-military sanctions will follow? For example, are Finland or Sweden likely to proceed with an application to join NATO, as has been suggested?
Minister reply
First, there is a basket of sanctions that are prepared both by the United Kingdom and the United States... We enhance and work our relationship with Finland and Sweden through the joint expeditionary force.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Question
In the recent negotiations, NATO rightly rejected the wholly unreasonable demands of Russia for reasons set out by the Secretary of State. Does the Government support putting arms control and limits to military exercises on the table in any further discussions?
Minister reply
Certainly when it comes to arms control, we have always felt that arms controls are good things. I am not sure I want to give Russia a veto over where we exercise, but I am very supportive of making sure that we are as open as possible.
Question
Like the Defence Secretary, he read President Putin’s essay this summer. In it, Putin does not recognise Ukraine in its current borders and lays out what he thinks are justifiably Russian lands: the oblasts—the counties—that run along the north side of the Black sea linking Rostov with Transdniestria and Odessa. Did he get the same thinking from reading the article?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right. The article even goes further and talks about Carpathian Ruthenia, which is part of the Czech Republic. It is perfectly possible to disagree with the Kremlin without disagreeing with the people of Russia.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
The Norwegian Prime Minister has recently spoken about Russia increasing hybrid operations, including cyber-attacks and signal jamming. Can the Secretary of State outline specific steps taken during the Ukraine crisis to ensure that Norway’s security is not compromised?
Minister reply
Britain and Norway are really old allies, with a strong intelligence relationship and military relationship. We exercise regularly at all levels in all areas.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
In 2014, Russian aggression severely degraded the Ukrainian navy. Will he update the House on the Ukrainian capabilities enhancement project? What progress has been made since that was signed in June?
Minister reply
Last year we entered into an agreement to help Ukraine to build boats and put infrastructure investment into ports so it could start to rebuild its navy.
Liam Byrne
Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Question
Although it is important that we take Russian security concerns seriously, we must resist at all costs any attempts by Russia to re-imperialise eastern Europe. How ready is NATO to accede to requests to join not only from Finland but from countries in the western Balkans and Georgia? Will he say a word about the intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty?
Minister reply
Overall, better transparency is really important. The last thing any of us wants is a growing arms race.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
What is his assessment of our Ukrainian allies’ resolve to not just repel but resist a further invasion, and what further capabilities are required to enhance this? Will he also keep an eye on Bosnia?
Minister reply
The other message I want to give President Putin is that these people will fight; they are strongly of the view that Ukraine is a sovereign country.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Question
How can we reach out to the Russian people and tell them that NATO is a defensive alliance, so they do not have to swallow wholesale the Putin narrative that we are aggressive and trying to take over Russia?
Minister reply
First, as the international community we have to be consistent in that messaging. We should remind Russians that this will not be cost-free on either side.
Question
Reflecting on Estonia’s history, will he make an assurance—that continuity of a democratically elected Government, if required, for the Government elected by the people of Ukraine?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his suggestion and will happily look at it and discuss it with my colleagues in the Cabinet.
Question
In the early 1980s, a Soviet refugee from Ukraine called Mr Bailey had the unfortunate task of trying to teach me the cello. He was much more successful at teaching me about the proud history of Ukraine. What does this announcement do to our longstanding friendship with Ukraine more broadly in this context?
Minister reply
I hope that it does what it does for all nations in Europe. Britain will always be interested in the security of Europe.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
When the Minister meets his Russian counterpart in a few weeks’ time, will he use that opportunity to widen the debate into nuclear disarmament and security measures in general, to build up a dialogue with Russia so that we can deal with all the issues and also de-escalate the dangerous tensions, which are rising? Will he assure the House that no British troops are going to be sent to or stationed in Ukraine?
Minister reply
First of all, I am not sure that the right hon. Gentleman will accept my invitation; I have made it, and I hope he does. Of course we will start the process of establishing a dialogue on a whole range of issues, which hopefully will involve security, confidence in each other and transparency, to make sure that there is no miscalculation going forward. British troops who are orbital have been based in Ukraine for years. They are not NATO bases, as President Putin alleges: no one is setting up NATO bases in Ukraine and no one is positioning strategic weapons in Ukraine. This is unarmed orbital: we train people in all sorts of methods. As I said, the trainers that come over on these systems will leave once the training is done.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. It is hard to fathom the seriousness of the situation as it is developing. Can he shed any light on unconfirmed reports that Russia is now moving armed forces into Belarus—on to the road to Kiev in Belarus, and now threatening from the north of the country? If those reports are confirmed, will the Secretary of State undertake to return to the House to make a further statement?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend makes the point about this very worrying build-up that we have seen and is growing; the latest is that there has been very sizeable movement of aircraft and aviation capabilities in the last few days. Significant numbers have been moving to key areas. I will go back and look at the details around Belarus as well. I absolutely commit to Members that I will come to the House and keep them updated periodically—not only about the build-up, if that does continue, but about every next step.
Mark Hendrick
Lab Co-op
Preston
Question
I commend the Defence Secretary for his statement. It is clear that President Putin is trying to destabilise a number of countries in eastern Europe: we are seeing things happening not only in Ukraine, but in Bosnia. We are also seeing, to some extent, Belarus and Poland being destabilised by his actions. In his statement, the Defence Secretary said: “Each nation has a sovereign right to choose its own security arrangements.” If Russia does invade Ukraine, as I think likely, it would seem that Ukraine will not have that choice. International sanctions will obviously play a role after that, but are the Defence Secretary and our allies thinking that in the longer term this may mean more than just economic sanctions and military assistance?
Minister reply
I think that in the long term, if President Putin does invade Ukraine, there are two worries. The wider worry is what happens in other parts of Europe, but Europe, the United Kingdom and the international community should not let President Putin forget the consequences. I think that one of his calculations is that a number of countries will just forget about it in a few months or years and that he will be able to carry on as normal. If it happens, I think the international community has a duty to remind President Putin that what he has done is unacceptable, that only the return of the sovereign territory to Ukraine is acceptable, and that he faces the consequences of his actions. Until he does so, he may well end up very isolated.
Question
We know that Russia is the master of misinformation to advance its military ambition. Does my right hon. Friend think that the provision of this defensive security system package will be spun by the Russian media as an act of provocation?
Minister reply
I expect all sorts of allegations, but that is why I have come to the House: to be transparent about it, not strategic. Secondly, the United States and other countries have already provided support over months and years to Ukraine. You cannot cry wolf more than once or twice. Indeed, the Russian media themselves approached me at the conference of the parties about our sales of missiles for patrol boats. If it was not provocation a year ago with another nation, I think it would be unreasonable to allow them to peddle that message.
Shadow Comment
John Healey
Shadow Comment
I welcome the statement and Labour's support for UK efforts to de-escalate threats, provide military assistance, and implement sanctions against Russia. The crisis is driven by Russian aggression; Ukrainians appreciate recent visits from Defence Ministers including the Secretary of State. I ask what role the UK will play in NATO-Ukraine cyber co-operation agreements.
Russia’s build-up on Ukrainian borders is part of its continuous attacks since 2014, causing significant loss of life and destruction. Ukraine's military resolve has strengthened significantly; it is essential for Russia to understand the potential bloodshed from any new military attack. I urge the Secretary of State to communicate this message clearly to President Putin.
Labour backs UK support in providing defensive weaponry to Ukraine but stresses that this should be framed as a response to Russian aggression rather than provocation.
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