Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ukraine

Tuesday 12 March 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Michael Fabricant asked about recent discussions with the German counterpart on the war in Ukraine; the response stated regular communication and a meeting on 7 March in Berlin to reaffirm support for Ukraine.
  • Michael Fabricant inquired about a statement regarding NATO security and British troops; the response emphasized the strong, united, and cooperative relationship with Germany on supporting Ukraine.
  • Stewart McDonald questioned about speeding up weapon delivery for Ukraine and the case for a comprehensive defence agreement with the EU; the response stated no case for such an agreement but noted energetic and close work with European friends.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from regular diplomatic discussions between UK and German officials concerning the war in Ukraine.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with his German counterpart on the war in Ukraine?

Answer from Leo Docherty

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I regularly speak to our ministerial counterparts on a range of issues, including the war in Ukraine. He met Foreign Minister Baerbock at the UK-German strategic dialogue on 7 March in Berlin to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Ukraine.

Answered
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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Ukraine
Context

Concerns have been raised by the head of the German Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, regarding security lapses that may compromise NATO security and British troop presence in Ukraine.

Question

Does he agree with the statement made by August Hanning, former director general of German intelligence, that NATO security and British troops had their existence in Ukraine compromised due to a security lapse by Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I appreciate my hon. Friend's motivation in asking that question. We should keep in mind that our relationship with Germany on supporting Ukraine is strong, united and deeply co-operative. Together we are delivering the fighting edge that our friends in Ukraine need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The compromise of NATO security

How: We Should Keep In Mind

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Q3 Stewart McDonald SNP
Ukraine Defence
Context

Frustration has been expressed about the slow pace of delivering weapons support for Ukraine from European countries, including Germany and the UK.

Question

What is he doing to turn the 'slow yes' on weapon delivery for Ukraine into a quick one? Does this not make a case for a comprehensive defence agreement between Britain and the EU?

Answer from Leo Docherty

No, it does not, but we continue to work very energetically and closely with our friends across Europe, including at the recently convened French summit, to ensure that the heft and military capability of all Ukraine's allies are brought to bear in increasing Ukraine's fighting edge.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The case for a comprehensive defence agreement

How: No, It Does Not

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Q4 Stephen Doughty Labour (Co-op) Cardiff South and Penarth
Ukraine Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The defence, security, and foreign policy relationship between Germany and the UK is crucial for mutual support in the context of Ukraine. The hon. Gentleman will meet German counterparts to discuss these issues.

Question

Will he give more detail on discussions with German counterparts regarding speeding up weapon delivery, bolstering diplomatic coalition, and using frozen Russian assets to fund urgent needs for Ukraine?

Answer from Leo Docherty

The hon. Gentleman asks a characteristically intelligent and pertinent question. We are working together to increase defence industrial capability. Some new ideas have come out of the French summit about increasing domestic capability for our Ukrainian friends. A lot of diplomatic support goes into that. On frozen assets, he will have seen recent thinking from the European side about using the interest payments from those funds, which we will consider. We need to find a reliable legal route, if that is to be sustainable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A comprehensive legal route for using frozen assets

How: We Need To Find A Reliable Legal Route

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