Ukraine 2025-12-02

2025-12-02

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Sarah Dyke LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Context
Since the start of the war in 2022, around 1,600 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Somerset. The situation involves security guarantees provided by the US.
I am concerned about the potential implications for my policies of US foreign policy on Ukraine. Since 2022, 1,600 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Somerset away from Putin’s war machine, many making Glastonbury and Somerton their home. The US-led peace negotiations, dictated by Russia, risk excluding US security guarantees, leaving many Ukrainians in fear of returning to Ukraine. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues on implementing a pathway to settled status, so that Ukrainians may have a permanent future in the UK?
As the hon. Lady will know, I and many other people have been involved in welcoming people as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. We continue to do so and to support the role that they play in our country, and that will continue. She refers to security guarantees, and I can tell her that the Ministry of Defence is involved in direct discussions on the detail of how security guarantees would need to work. That is essential as part of a just and lasting peace.
Assessment & feedback
Pathway to settled status for Ukrainians seeking refuge in the UK
Discussed Security Guarantees Instead
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Sarah Green LD
Chesham and Amersham
Context
Point 24 of Russia’s peace plan proposes establishing a humanitarian committee for prisoner exchanges, including children. This involves international law.
Point 24 of Russia's peace plan proposes to establish a humanitarian committee to resolve outstanding issues such as prisoner exchanges on an 'all for all' basis and the return of civilian detainees and hostages, including children. That approach conflates prisoners of war with stolen children, who are afforded special protected status under the fourth Geneva convention. What guarantees can the Secretary of State provide that the UK will ensure that all Geneva convention signatories uphold their obligations in line with international law and the return of the stolen children?
Children kidnapped and stolen from Ukraine need to be returned to their families and to their country—that is essential. It must happen, and it is unconditional on anything else. The UK is continuing to support Ukraine and other countries in the work of tracing and identifying where children are, which includes direct work that has helped to identify the locations of 600 stolen children.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
John Milne LD
Horsham
Context
President Trump’s initial peace plan included measures such as a dramatic cut in Ukrainian army manpower, surrendering key fortress positions, and never joining NATO.
A lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved if we remove the incentives for war. However, President Trump's initial peace plan—badly translated from Russian—included such measures as a dramatic cut in Ukrainian army manpower, the surrender of key fortress positions, a pledge never to join NATO, and an open door to Russian propaganda across the whole of Ukraine. Does the Secretary of State agree that peace on such terms would only encourage Putin to resume war in a few years' time, on much stronger terms than today?
The Prime Minister addressed some of those points last week. Initial proposals were published; as he said, some of those proposals were clearly unacceptable, and there have been considerable discussions since then, including in Geneva and in the US between the US and Ukraine. Those discussions have been important, and we continue to support Ukraine. The important thing about a lasting peace is that it cannot simply be an opportunity for Putin to continue his aggression after a pause, which is why security guarantees and lasting peace arrangements are so crucial.
Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on the assessment of proposed terms encouraging renewed conflict
Discussed Broader Context Instead
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Wendy Morton Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Context
The question stems from concerns about individuals profiting from the purchase of Russian oil, which fuels Putin's war in Ukraine. It highlights a specific case where a businessman has fled Britain but his business interests continue to operate.
This is a man who has profited, and a business that has profited, by buying Russian oil, thus fuelling Putin’s illegal war—a war that has caused death and destruction in Ukraine. He may have reportedly fled Britain, but will the Foreign Secretary ensure that all his business interests are thoroughly investigated, and that wider investigations are carried out to determine whether this practice is more widespread?
Again, the right hon. Lady, as a former Minister, will know how seriously we have taken this case, how far this Government have led the way on sanctions, and how we ensure that processes involving sanctions enforcement, including that relating to Russian oil and gas, are taken extremely seriously and are implemented appropriately as well.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about investigating business interests was not addressed directly; instead, the response focused on the seriousness of sanctions enforcement.
We Have Led The Way Taken Extremely Seriously
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Calum Miller LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Context
Belgium and the European Central Bank are hesitant to use frozen Russian assets for supporting Ukraine. The question highlights a proposal where US firms could receive payments from these assets.
Ukraine needs the support of its allies to counter Russia’s threat, but Belgium and the European Central Bank are holding out against the European Union’s using frozen Russian assets to give it the funds that it needs. It is time for the UK to show international leadership, even as Belgium, the ECB and the US vacillate, so will the Foreign Secretary support my Bill that would allow the UK to seize the £30 billion in frozen Russian assets held in this country and put them at Kyiv’s disposal for its defence?
We have been clear about the importance of mobilising the Russian sovereign assets in order to invest in and support Ukraine. The proposal put forward by the EU, which we support, is for reparation loans based on those sovereign assets that would allow us to maintain the appropriate stability and approach to the financial markets, and also to mobilise those assets to support Ukraine. The purpose is to ensure that Russia pays for the damage that it has done, as it should.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about supporting a bill was not directly addressed; instead, the response referenced EU proposals and their support thereof.
Support By The Eu Maintain Financial Stability
Response accuracy