Russian Aggression Support for NATO Allies 2022-03-28

2022-03-28

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The context of Russian aggression prompts concerns about NATO's response and support.
What steps the Government are taking to support NATO allies in response to Russian aggression.
We are currently supplying significant air power to NATO's eastern flank, as well as sending ships to the eastern Mediterranean. We have a well-established and enduring contribution to the NATO enhanced forward presence battle group in the Baltics and in Poland—in recent weeks we have almost doubled our military forces in Estonia to demonstrate that capability and our resolve to support that region.
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Q2 Direct Answer
Andrew Gwynne Ind
Gorton and Denton
Context
Modern warfare includes cyber-resilience, prompting concerns about NATO's preparedness.
What more are we doing to work with our allies across NATO in strengthening cyber-resilience in the alliance?
NATO is acutely aware that the threat has evolved beyond the three conventional domains and into space and cyber-space as well, which is why that is a key part of NATO's transformation plans. The UK is to the fore in that, because we have invested ahead of many of our allies in both defensive and offensive cyber-capabilities. So the UK voice is very much to the fore in discussing with NATO how we develop a cyber-capability for the alliance.
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Q3 Direct Answer
Context
The Baltic states joining NATO is seen as a positive move, raising questions about further defence commitments.
Is not one lesson of the brutal aggression of Russia in Ukraine that the decision by the Baltic states to join NATO was the right one? Aggression in Ukraine is not a vindication of NATO's expansion; it is a vindication of the Baltic states' joining our military alliance. Is there not a lesson for all NATO powers, including our own: we have to think again about how much we are prepared to spend on defence?
Make no mistake: the NATO membership of our great friends and allies in the Baltic represents one of the great strengthening moments of the alliance generally. Nobody is prouder to fly the NATO flag than Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, and we stand four-square behind them and behind what it would mean if President Putin were to try to compromise the territorial integrity of those countries in any way. As for the hon. Gentleman's wider question about resourcing defence across the alliance adequately, I strongly agree; we are one of only a few countries that has been routinely spending the 2% of GDP target. It is fantastic that this moment of challenge within the euro-Atlantic has meant that other countries have now increased their spending to meet that target, too.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns about the cut to the Army and its readiness for potential conventional war scenarios.
I make this point to the Minister, from one soldier to another. He said earlier that, if circumstances change, the policy changes. I do not excuse myself for again asking the Government to rethink the cut to the Army. We no longer have that mass and it must be retained.
My hon. Friend and I will debate keenly the future of the land battle, but I am not sure that what we have seen on our TV screens over the past few weeks has been a justification for large amounts of massed armour. I think it is entirely a vindication of a change in the way in which the land battle is prosecuted.
Assessment & feedback
reassessment of Army cut
Change In Warfare Methods
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Q5 Direct Answer
Alec Shelbrooke Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Context
Concerns about Russian naval activities, especially submarine operations in the north Atlantic.
Supporting NATO allies is about not just the eastern front and the situation in and around Russia, but the threat from Russian naval activity. Does my hon. Friend agree that the focus must equally be on the activities of Russian submarines in the north Atlantic, around our allied coast?
Submarine operations in the north Atlantic are not routinely spoken about in public, but my right hon. Friend will be reassured to know that we are acutely aware that we must maintain awareness of what Russia is doing in the whole Euro-Atlantic and that the focus should not just be on the obvious point of conflict in Ukraine.
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Q6 Direct Answer
Luke Pollard Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Context
Concerns about the future deployment of additional forces to NATO allies in light of current commitments.
The Government have already deployed various assets, including Royal Navy ships from Devonport, which I am proud to represent. Will the Minister set out what further forces are being prepared for deployment to our NATO allies?
There is a constant regeneration of forces. As two battle groups are committed to Estonia, more battle groups need to embark on the training pipeline to make sure that we have contingent land forces at readiness. Similarly, ships have been deployed to the two NATO standing maritime groups and to Exercise Cold Response.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Julian Lewis Con
New Forest East
Context
The questioner argues for supporting Ukrainian military efforts by all legitimate means short of war, focusing on the distinction between defensive and offensive weaponry.
Given that we should help the Ukrainian armed forces by all legitimate means short of war, will Ministers press our NATO allies to remove the distinction between defensive and offensive weaponry when requests for equipment are received?
My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. It suits our purpose to refer to the equipment we are providing in a defensive context, but defence intelligence reflects that small bands of determined people using lethal weapons systems have pushed back an armoured column near Kyiv, showing that all weaponry can be seen as defensive when used on one's own territory.
Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not directly address whether Ministers will push NATO allies to remove the distinction between defensive and offensive weaponry in supplying Ukraine with military equipment.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Context
The questioner seeks information regarding the Government's stance on the NATO strategic concept, previously discussed with a Secretary of State who is not present.
On behalf of the Scottish National party, may I welcome the letter from Speaker Stefanchuk to this House? My last exchange with the Secretary of State was in relation to the NATO strategic concept. When I asked about the Government's stance on it?
The hon. Gentleman will have to accept my apologies, but so important is the NATO strategic concept that it is something that the Secretary of State works on with his team immediately around him. He will need to write to the hon. Gentleman with the detail he asks for.
Assessment & feedback
The answerer avoided addressing the specific question about the Government's stance and deferred it to a future written response.
Deferred To A Future Written Response
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Q9 Partial Answer
Context
The questioner raises the issue of NATO focusing on bolstering its own defences and supporting Ukraine militarily, with a need for international cooperation in post-war reconstruction.
Will the Minister enlighten the House as to what discussions are taking place in NATO specifically with a focus on helping the country to rebuild? The war will come to an end eventually and our friendship must continue the day after.
The discussions in NATO focus on Euro-Atlantic security implications of the conflict, but wider geopolitical and economic plans may be discussed outside of NATO within other groupings such as the G7, EU, etc.
Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not directly address specific NATO discussions regarding Ukraine's post-war rebuilding efforts.
Response accuracy