Questions & Answers
Q1
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As tomorrow marks the 1,000-day anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, concerns arise regarding the ongoing support for Ukrainian civilians and military forces.
What steps has the government taken to increase support for Ukraine since the start of President Putin's invasion three years ago?
With tomorrow marking 1,000 days since the start of President Putin's brutal, illegal invasion of Ukraine, our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute. We have stepped up with more military support, we have sped up deliveries, and we are now spending more on military aid as a country than ever before.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify exact measures or commitments in response to the specific ask about detailed steps taken.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Tomorrow marks the 1,000-day anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, raising concerns among constituents about the welfare of civilians.
Can the Secretary of State assure constituents that the government will continue to support and aid Ukrainian civilians? Will he underline our absolute support for Ukraine forces?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. What she really says is that the Ukrainians have been fighting with huge courage—military and civilians alike—and the best way we can help the Ukrainians to defend their own civilians is to step up our support for Ukraine. That is why we have increased military support and aid to its highest level ever. We have signed a new industrial treaty with Ukraine worth £3.5 billion to increase military hardware. We have hit the £1 billion milestone for the UK-led international fund for Ukraine. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Concerns about the evolving nature of military support as the conflict continues.
Will the Secretary of State outline some of the detail of the support offered to Ukraine and how it is evolving?
At each stage, we have tried to respond to the requirements that the Ukrainians say that they have to match the state of their battle to defend their country. We have announced packages of artillery, of ammunition and of air defence, which is one of their most critical needs at present, including recently a new contract to supply short-range air defence missiles—the lightweight multi-role missiles.
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Q4
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Concerns about the potential ambassador's stance on Ukraine's territorial integrity and NATO membership.
Does the Secretary of State agree that whoever is sent to Washington should be somebody who supports Ukraine in defending itself and does not reward Russian aggression with pre-emptive capitulation?
One of the first privileges I had in this new role was to represent the country at the NATO Washington summit. That was the point at which the NATO nations collectively agreed to step up support for Ukraine and to develop the security guarantees that Ukraine will need in the longer term.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether they agree with the concern about the ambassador's stance, instead focusing on broader support.
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Q5
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Concerns about the effectiveness of long-range missiles in defending against Russian aggression.
Will the Minister assure us that, given the American decision to allow strikes inside Russia, we will also give permission for our missiles to be used?
I will not be drawn on details about long-range missiles today—it risks operational security, and the only person who benefits from public debate is President Putin. As the right hon. Member rightly says, 10,000 North Korean troops are on the frontline in Russia.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether permission will be granted for using long-range missiles against Russian targets.
I Will Not Be Drawn
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Q6
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Concerns about the current restrictions on using Storm Shadow missiles to defend against Russian aggression.
Will Ukraine now be allowed to use those Storm Shadow missiles given the continuous bombing and presence of North Korean troops?
I say again that I will not compromise operational security and comment on the details of long-range systems today. The Prime Minister has been clear—as I am being to the House—that we must double down on the support to Ukraine, give it the support it needs and do so for as long as it takes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether permission will be granted for using Storm Shadow missiles.
I Say Again That I Will Not Compromise Operational Security
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Q7
Direct Answer
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The question follows the US decision to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Kursk, amid concerns about Russian escalation with North Korean troops.
I join the Chair of the Defence Committee, the hon. Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi), in strongly welcoming the decision by the United States to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Kursk. I know the Secretary of State does not want to go into operational detail—I understand that—but I assure him of our support if he follows through in relation to Storm Shadow, as we believe he should. There will be those who talk about escalation, but does he agree that the only escalation that matters here is 10,000 North Korean troops on the ground supporting Russia in its illegal war?
The shadow Secretary of State is right that the one person responsible for escalation in this conflict is President Putin, and the one side that has been escalating in recent months is Russia. In recognising that he has escalated his illegal war against Ukraine by intensifying the use of glide bombs, destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure and deploying thousands of North Korean troops into combat positions in Kursk, I am discussing this very serious development with the US Defence Secretary and will be discussing it with the Ukrainian Defence Secretary this evening.
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Q8
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The question concerns the Prime Minister's recent meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, focusing on China's influence over Russia and North Korea.
Did the Prime Minister raise Ukraine during his meeting with President Xi given China's undoubted influence over Russia and North Korea?
I regard the Prime Minister's meeting with President Xi as an important step forward. He is the first Prime Minister of the UK to meet the leader of China in nearly six years. After 14 years of damaging Conservative inconsistency on China, this Government will bring a long-term approach to managing our relations with China. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we should, and challenge where we must.
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Assessment & feedback
whether the Prime Minister discussed Ukraine in his meeting with President Xi
After 14 Years Of Damaging Conservative Inconsistency On China, This Government Will Bring A Long-Term Approach To Managing Our Relations With China. We Will Co-Operate Where We Can, Compete Where We Should, And Challenge Where We Must.
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