Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

European Security

Tuesday 8 March 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK is working closely with G7 partners to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  • The Foreign Secretary met with G7 partners in Brussels on 4 March to co-ordinate the response to Russian aggression.
  • The Prime Minister and the Minister met with Prime Ministers and representatives of the western Balkans to address potential instability in Europe.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from ongoing international concerns regarding the security of Europe, particularly in light of Russia's aggressive actions towards Ukraine. Discussions with G7 counterparts are aimed at addressing these threats to stability.

Question

What recent discussions has she had with her G7 counterparts on strengthening European security?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK is working closely with our G7 partners to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that we will not accept Russia's campaign to subvert its democratic neighbours. The Foreign Secretary met with them in Brussels on 4 March to co-ordinate our response to Russian aggression, including economic measures and financial sanctions.

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Q2 Andrew Jones Con
Ukraine
Context

The question builds on previous discussions about European security and expands it to a global context. The focus is on ensuring that countries around the world understand the implications of Russia's actions.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the situation in Ukraine matters not just for European security, but for the whole world? Our global allies must join us in taking a tough stance on sanctions and strongly supporting the people of Ukraine. This attack on a democratic nation may have taken place on our continent, but it has significant global implications.

Answer from James Cleverly

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Foreign Secretary discussed potential sanctions responses with G7 partners in Liverpool late last year, and he is right that the eyes of the world are watching our response on this issue. We must send a clear message to the G7 and the wider international community that we are resolute in standing up against aggressive behaviour.

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Q3 Stephen Doughty Labour (Co-op) Cardiff South and Penarth
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The question focuses on the broader impact of Russia's actions, specifically how Putin seeks to create instability elsewhere. The concern is about ensuring that support for Ukraine does not divert attention from stability issues in other parts of Europe.

Question

I welcome what the Minister has said about co-ordination with the G7 on Ukraine, but does he agree that Putin seeks to create instability and insecurity elsewhere in Europe at the same time? Can he tell us what he has been doing with G7 counterparts and our partners in the EU to address those attempts to create instability across the rest of Europe?

Answer from James Cleverly

The Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend met with the Prime Ministers and representatives of the western Balkans just last week. We must not allow Ukraine's situation to have a destabilising effect elsewhere in Europe or other parts of the world. We will continue our close engagement with partners in the region and beyond to ensure we deal with the situation in Ukraine without allowing it to cause instability more broadly.

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Q4 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses the importance of maintaining robust military spending as a deterrent against aggressive actions by Russia. The focus is on NATO member states increasing their defence budgets.

Question

Now that the world has woken up to the reality of Putin's police state, does the Minister agree that the most important thing that members of the G7 that are also members of NATO can do to secure European security is to raise their defence budgets to levels we used to spend when faced with this sort of confrontational approach from Russia?

Answer from James Cleverly

My right hon. Friend makes an incredibly important point. The UK meets the 2% GDP target for NATO expenditure, and we warmly welcome Germany's commitment to increase their defence spending. This situation in Ukraine is a reminder that peace comes at a price, and we must be willing to pay it.

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