The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Affairs (Elizabeth Truss) With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I
want to update the House, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the
Prime Minister, about the NATO and G7 leaders’ meetings in Brussels
last week. Together with our allies, we agreed to keep the pressure
up on Putin to end his appalling war in Ukraine through tougher
sanctions to debilitate the Russian economy; through supplying
weapons to...Request free trial
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Affairs ()
With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to update the
House, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister,
about the NATO and G7 leaders’ meetings in Brussels last week.
Together with our allies, we agreed to keep the pressure up on
Putin to end his appalling war in Ukraine through tougher
sanctions to debilitate the Russian economy; through supplying
weapons to Ukraine and boosting NATO’s eastern flank; through
providing humanitarian aid in dealing with the wider consequences
of the crisis; and through supporting Ukraine in any negotiations
it undertakes.
Strength is the only thing Putin understands. Our sanctions are
pushing back the Russian economy by years and we owe it to the
brave Ukrainians to keep up our tough approach to get peace. We
owe it to ourselves to stand with them for the cause of freedom
and democracy in Europe and across the world. It is vital that we
step up this pressure. We cannot wait for more appalling
atrocities to be committed in Ukraine. We know that the impact of
sanctions degrades over time, and that is why we need to act
now.
Next week, NATO Foreign Ministers will meet to follow up on the
statements of leaders. I will be pressing our allies over the
next weeks for all of us to do more. On oil and gas, the UK has
already committed to ending imports of Russian oil by the end of
this year. We must agree a clear timetable with our partners
across the G7 to end dependence on Russian oil and gas
permanently. On banks, we have already sanctioned 16 major
Russian banks. We have hit Gazprombank and placed a clear
prohibition on Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank. We want to see
others adopt these sanctions and go further.
On individuals, we have cracked down on oligarchs such as Roman
Abramovich. Last week, we sanctioned the despicable Wagner Group
of mercenaries. On ports, Britain has banned entry to Russian
vessels at all our ports. I will be lobbying our partners across
the G7 to join us in stopping Russian ships.
We must maximise the flow of weapons that are being supplied to
Ukraine under the United Nations charter of self-defence. The UK
was the first European country to start sending lethal aid to
Ukraine, and we are doubling our support with a further 6,000
missiles, including next-generation light anti-tank weapons, and
Javelin anti-tank weapons. We are equipping our Ukrainian friends
with anti-aircraft Starstreak missiles. We are also strengthening
NATO’s eastern flank, deploying troops to Bulgaria, and doubling
the numbers of troops in Poland and Estonia.
We are co-ordinating deliveries with our allies, and we want
others to join us in getting Ukraine what it needs. The UK is
providing £220 million in humanitarian support to help the people
of Ukraine, from shelters to heaters and medicine. Today we
announced our partnership with Australia to fly out more relief,
including blankets, cooking equipment and power generators. We
are getting supplies directly into Ukraine’s encircled cities,
with £2 million in canned food, water, and dried food. As
refugees come into countries such as Poland, we are working with
the UNHCR so that it is informed about the UK’s Homes for Ukraine
scheme. That scheme has already had more than 150,000
applications, thanks to the generosity of the British public.
We know that Putin is not serious about talks. He is still
wantonly bombing innocent citizens across Ukraine. That is why we
must do more to ensure that he loses and we force him to think
again. We must not just stop Putin in Ukraine; we must also look
to the long term. We must ensure that any future talks do not end
up selling out Ukraine, or repeating the mistakes of the past. We
remember the uneasy settlement of 2014, which failed to give
Ukraine lasting security. Putin just came back for more. That is
why we cannot allow him to win from this appalling aggression,
and why this Government are determined that Putin’s regime should
be held to account at the International Criminal Court.
We will work to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty. We have set up a negotiations unit to ensure that
the strongest possible support is available to the Ukrainians,
alongside our international partners. We have played a leading
role alongside our G7 allies in driving the response to Putin’s
war, and I want to ensure that that unity continues. Sanctions
were put on by the G7 in unison, and they should not be removed
as long as Putin continues with his war and still has troops in
Ukraine. That is not all. We must ensure that Putin can never act
in this aggressive way again. Any long-term settlement needs to
include a clear sanctions snapback that would be triggered
automatically by any Russian aggression.
In the aftermath of Putin’s war, Ukraine will need our help to
build back. In these exceptional circumstances, we have a duty to
step up with a new reconstruction plan for rebuilding Ukraine. We
will work with the international community to do that. At this
defining moment, the free world has shown a united response.
Putin is not making the progress he craves, and he is still not
serious about talks. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people
know that everybody in the United Kingdom stands firm with them.
We were the first European country to recognise Ukraine’s
independence from the Soviet Union. Thirty years on, we are the
first to strengthen its defences against Putin’s invasion, and
lead the way in our support. Over the next week, I will be
working to drive forward progress in unison with our allies.
Together, we can secure a lasting peace that restores Ukraine’s
sovereignty. Together, we can ensure that Putin fails and Ukraine
prevails. I commend this statement to the House.
5.13pm
(Tottenham) (Lab)
I thank the Foreign Secretary for advance sight of her statement,
and the continued briefings on Privy Council terms.
It is now more than a month since Vladimir Putin launched his
barbaric and illegal invasion, with horrifying results: buildings
razed to the ground, maternity hospitals bombed, and the city of
Mariupol turned into a living hell. Ukraine is the victim of a
bandit regime that is willing to use violence in an attempt to
subjugate its neighbour. But 24 February marked not only an
attack on the people of Ukraine; it was also an attempt to crush
the values of democracy, rule of law and freedom that we all
enjoy. There can be no excuses for Putin’s actions, and one day
soon I hope he will be held to account for what I consider to be
war crimes.
Day by day, it has become clearer that despite Putin’s brutal
tactics he is not winning. A month ago, many people gave
Ukraine’s resistance little chance. Many expected Russia’s armed
forces to sweep into Kyiv in days, frankly, yet still Ukraine’s
forces hold firm. Their skill, bravery and resolve has inspired
the world. Putin’s invasion may have stalled, but the threat he
poses remains. Reports suggest he may be seeking a way out. We
want to see an end to the bloodshed, and the restoration of
Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
I am sure the Foreign Secretary will agree with me that any
ceasefire agreement must enjoy the full support of the
democratically elected Government of Ukraine and that, if an
agreement is reached, there will be no return to the previous
status quo in our economic relationship with Russia. Putin’s
regime must still pay a long-term cost for its war of aggression.
We must decisively end our dependence on fossil fuels and move
rapidly towards cheap, home-grown renewables to support our
energy sector. We must complete the unfinished task of ending
Britain’s role as the hub of dirty money from Russia and
elsewhere. As this war remains in the balance, we must do what we
can to ensure that we tip it towards Ukraine.
I am pleased that the NATO, EU and G7 summits last week
reinforced western unity. It is right that NATO has agreed to
bolster the eastern flank, with the approval of four additional
battle groups. I welcome the commitment to increase and
strengthen capabilities, as well as cyber-security assistance,
financial aid and humanitarian aid, but can I ask the Foreign
Secretary what is the scale of the UK’s contribution? Last week’s
commitment shows NATO’s long-term strategy is quickly evolving.
Other European allies who are reviewing defence spending are
boosting their armed services. I was in Berlin last week, where
our colleagues in Germany have committed to a historic investment
in defence. Finland, Sweden and Denmark all announced reviews or
extra resources for defence. Does the Foreign Secretary really
believe it is right at this time for the UK to cut the Army by
10,000 in the next few years? If not, will she act on Labour’s
call to halt those cuts?
It is time, too, for Britain to return to the table when it comes
to European security. Will the Foreign Secretary tell the Prime
Minister to stop picking petty squabbles with our neighbours on
the continent and instead deepen security co-operation that will
keep us all safe?
Last week, G7 and EU leaders focused on closing loopholes on
existing sanctions rather than imposing new measures. There
remain many gaps in the UK’s regime: trusts are not fully
covered; many Russian banks are not designated, and ownership
thresholds are too high. We need to ensure effective enforcement,
including of the overseas territories and Crown dependencies. Can
the Foreign Secretary tell us what her Government are doing to
close those loopholes and whether she plans to put further
sanctions in place?
A month on from this illegal invasion, the world has changed. The
unity across this House, this country and the international
community must endure. The next few days and weeks will be
crucial, and we send all our support to the people of Ukraine. As
this war enters a new phase, we must all adapt and hold our
nerve. Through the darkness of terror and destruction, Zelensky’s
democratic Government remain in control against all the odds.
Bravery is shining through.
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: this is about the
future of freedom and democracy, and the future of European
security. The Ukrainians and President Zelensky are fighting
bravely. They are fighting not just for their own future, but all
our futures, and they deserve all the help we can give them:
humanitarian support, lethal aid, and the moral and diplomatic
support that we are providing.
The right hon. Gentleman is also right to say that Putin must not
gain from this appalling aggression. There will be no letting up
on sanctions. We want to see sanctions tightening. Putin will pay
the cost. He will be held to account in the International
Criminal Court. We are working with our allies to collect
evidence. Of course, we need to make sure that Ukraine is rebuilt
following this appalling war and the appalling devastation that
the people of Ukraine have experienced.
The right hon. Gentleman is also right that we want to see
sanctions increase. In the case of banks, the UK has imposed the
most bank sanctions of any of our allies. We want our allies to
follow suit, and we want to do more in terms of completely
de-SWIFTing the Russian economy and tackling banks of strategic
importance, such as Sberbank. We also sanction more oligarchs and
other entities than either the EU or the US does. We want to do
more, we will do more and we want our partners to do more.
The most crucial thing of all is cutting off the supply of
finance from oil and gas. That is what will completely debilitate
the Putin regime, and that is why we want the G7 to agree a very
clear timetable to end dependence on Russian oil and gas
completely. It is vital that we never go back to being dependent
on an authoritarian regime for core parts of our economic
survival. With next week’s NATO summit, we have an opportunity to
move forward with those plans. I encourage all our allies to work
with us on this, because the only thing that Putin will
understand is tougher sanctions and more defensive aid.
We have boosted our defence spending, and we continue in talks
with our NATO allies about boosting the eastern flank. The UK is
also leading with the joint expeditionary force, working with our
allies around Europe. I talk to my European counterparts all the
time. We are committed to boosting European security and working
with our friends right across the EU.
(Basildon and Billericay)
(Con)
Perhaps for too long, the west has harvested the peace dividend,
but there is no doubt that we have entered a new era in the
battle for democracy globally. May I urge my right hon. Friend to
do what she can within Government not only to make the case for a
sustained and substantial increase in defence spending, but to
ensure that our soft power capabilities are adequately resourced,
for the very simple reason that jaw-jaw should always be
preferable to war-war?
My hon. Friend makes a good point about the peace dividend. The
reality is that, right across the west, not enough has been spent
on defence. Meanwhile, the Russians have been building up their
armed forces, their military capability and their disinformation
efforts. One thing I have done is to re-establish an information
unit in the Foreign Office to tackle Russian disinformation. We
are working to get that information into Russia so that the
people of Russia have a clear view about what is going on, in
contrast to the propaganda from their Government. We are also
working on expanding our soft power, whether it is through the
BBC or other outlets, to get the truth across to the people of
Russia. As to my hon. Friend’s other point, I am sure that he
will be raising it with the Chancellor at Treasury questions very
soon.
Madam Deputy Speaker ( )
I call the SNP spokesperson, .
(Stirling) (SNP)
I, too, am grateful for advance sight of the statement, and I
commend the Foreign Secretary on the very open approach that she
has taken to briefing parties across the House on this crucial
issue.
The SNP stands part of the international coalition to defend
Ukraine and international law, so I welcome the co-ordination
across the EU, G7 and NATO. We support the provision of arms, and
the further provision of arms, to Ukraine, and we particularly
support the establishment of the negotiations unit to help the
Ukrainians to negotiate properly. I share the Foreign Secretary’s
scepticism about President Putin’s good faith, but let us
remember that every single cold war dispute ended with a
negotiated outcome of some sort, so we need to keep up that
support. I also strongly welcome the support for accountability
for war crimes, because we need to think towards the peace at the
end of the war.
I am glad to see that sanctions are ramping up. Can the Foreign
Secretary confirm to the House that the intention is that, if a
person or bank is sanctioned in one G7 or EU territory, that will
be mirrored across the other territories? When will that be
achieved? I appreciate that we all come from different legal
backgrounds, but I think it is important that we set a timescale
for matching each other’s sanctions.
On refugees, there is considerable difference between the SNP and
the Government. We would far rather have seen the UK mirror the
EU’s approach by waiving visas for three years. We think that
that would have been generous and proportionate, but it is not
what happened. I welcome the fact that the Homes for Ukraine
scheme has had 150,000 applications, but I think the far more
meaningful statistic is how many of them have been fulfilled. Can
she tell us that? If she cannot tell us that, we need to do a bit
less self-congratulating about the Homes for Ukraine scheme—I say
that constructively. Does she share my concern that the Home
Office needs a lot more resource to process those applications
properly, and can she confirm that that discussion is under
way?
More generally, does the Foreign Secretary agree that the
integrated review is now rather badly out of date? Will she give
us any indication of the thinking within the Government about
updating and refreshing it, because it strikes me that that needs
to be done urgently?
On sanctions, it is worth saying that we are already aligned with
our allies on key areas of sanctions, including banning Russian
state and private companies from capital markets and stopping the
Russian Government from raising sovereign debt. On oligarchs, we
have now sanctioned more oligarchs than the EU or the US. We have
also sanctioned more banks than the EU.
What we want to achieve next week is a levelling up across all
the sanction areas. Some of that will mean other countries
following what the UK has already done—for example, we have
banned Russian vessels from UK ports, which I remember discussing
a few weeks ago with the hon. Gentleman—and then we all need to
go further. I am clear that we should all go further in terms of
SWIFT; we want to see a complete ban on the Russians’ use of the
SWIFT system.
We need to keep going with our allies, however, and that is the
work that we are doing—putting pressure on and working with our
allies. In the case of oil and gas, many European countries are
heavily dependent on Russian gas and they need to find
alternatives. We are helping and working on that, as is the
United States, so this is very much a team effort.
On the Homes for Ukraine scheme, my right hon. Friend the
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will
be issuing new information about that later this week. I am sure
that the hon. Gentleman will be keen to attend that session to
hear more details.
(Scunthorpe) (Con)
My right hon. Friend mentions the BBC. At the top of the BBC News
this morning was the news that an actor had walloped a comedian
at an American awards ceremony. Does she agree that we must do
all we can to ensure that the horrific stories that are coming
out of Ukraine remain high on the news agenda? That is really
important. Will she reassure my constituents that the Ukrainian
situation remains at the top of her agenda and that she will
continue the good work that she has been doing for however long
it takes?
My hon. Friend makes a good point about the priorities that
people put on various events. What we have seen—the appalling
aggression that we have seen in Ukraine—is an epoch-defining
moment. We will absolutely not forget that, and we will not make
the mistakes of the past, of ignoring and normalising Russian
behaviour. This time, we must ensure that Putin loses and we must
tackle Russian aggression for the long term. I will continue to
work on that together with our allies across the world, and we
will not let the issue drop.
(Rochdale) (Lab)
I point out to the Foreign Secretary that most of Ukraine’s
neighbours are protected by EU and NATO membership. One that is
not is Moldova, which has already taken in huge numbers of
refugees. Does she agree that, particularly because of the
situation of Transnistria, it is vital that we are able to offer
some support to the democratic Moldovan Government, who share our
values and aspirations but are in a parlous state?
The hon. Gentleman is completely right about Moldova. We are
working closely with our allies to provide direct support to it
and to help it with the refugee situation. That is something that
we discussed at the G7 meeting and that we will be working on
further over the next week.
(Stone) (Con)
My right hon. Friend rightly refers to the necessity for a clear
timetable with respect to Russian oil and gas. In particular, I
would like to ask about the German issue, because Germany has a
vast dependence on Russia, and it will take a considerable amount
of time to get that right—if it can ever be got right. How will
the problem be resolved in the short term, because the problem
for Ukraine is short term and the quicker we resolve it the
better? The problem is that Germany is, effectively, bankrolling
Russia at the moment.
I have been talking to my German counterparts, as has the Energy
Secretary, about what can be done to work with Germany to help it
move away from Russian gas, oil and coal. The United States has
also been working with Germany and the EU on supplying liquified
natural gas. Germany has undertaken a complete change in its
energy policy and defence policy; it is now investing in new LNG
terminals and looking at where else it can get that energy from.
We are very keen to work with Germany, and indeed other European
countries, because we cannot be in a position where Europe is
dependent on Russian gas. That does not help the security of the
German people and it does not help the security of the British
people, so it is in our interests to work together to end
dependence.
(Oxford West and Abingdon)
(LD)
All of us cannot help but be moved by the scenes that are still
going on, not least with the 300 killed in the theatre just last
week. Some 3.8 million people have now crossed borders into
nearby countries and many of them will have ties to our country.
We should all be proud of every person who has said that they
want to take someone in. The Foreign Secretary will also know
that many of these people are struggling for means—they left with
nothing—and would even struggle to get on a flight to get to this
country. Are the Government considering chartering airlift
flights from the border so that those who can get through the
mire of paperwork we have put in front of them—the Liberal
Democrats have put on record that that should not be there—can
get to this country and take up the safe homes that have been so
generously offered?
We are working to support people who want to come to the UK,
through the family scheme and the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Considerable transport is being offered; Wizz Air is offering
free flights to the UK and there are free Eurostar journeys as
well. We are working with the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees to make sure that that information is available. At
present, the issue of getting to the UK is being resolved; as the
hon. Lady says, we are making sure those visa processes are
happening, and that is the responsibility of the Home Office.
(New Forest East) (Con)
Will the Foreign Secretary make sure that a reasonable proportion
of the extra £4.1 million that the Government have rightly given
to the BBC in respect of the World Service is earmarked for the
BBC Monitoring service and, in particular, the Russian and
Ukrainian parts of it?
Yes, I will make sure that that is the case.
(Cardiff West) (Lab)
I am afraid that the system that the Foreign Secretary has
outlined is not humane. My constituent’s mother-in-law is in
Dublin, less than an hour’s flight from Cardiff, but she cannot
come to stay with her family member in Cardiff because they are
on a global talent visa for the next two years and therefore do
not qualify for the family scheme. They are being told to make
the application under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. That is
ludicrous, as they are in rented temporary accommodation while
they are here. Will the Foreign Secretary have a word with her
ministerial colleagues in the Home Office to stop this nonsense
and allow people in? If they were the constituency MP involved,
every Member of the House would say the same as me: this
situation is absolutely ludicrous. Can the Government do
something about it?
I will certainly happily take forward the hon. Gentleman’s case
with the Home Secretary.
(Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale
and Tweeddale) (Con)
Will the Foreign Secretary say a little more about the
humanitarian aid? As she is aware, many volunteers, such as those
at the Ukrainian chapel in my constituency, have, in effect,
stood back from the enormous efforts they were making in trying
to get necessities to the Ukraine and the countries surrounding
it. I am sure they will want to be reassured that the
humanitarian effort being undertaken by the Government, and
indeed by the Disasters Emergency Committee, is delivering what
they would want it to deliver.
The DEC appeal has raised more than £200 million and we are
deploying our aid into Ukraine. I talked about the work that we
are doing with the Australians, and we are supplying food to the
encircled cities. The biggest challenge—this a security
challenge—is getting the aid into some of those cities. We
certainly are well funded for the work that we are doing. The
Ukrainian Government are providing a lot of the logistical
support to make sure that the supplies get into Ukraine, but the
issue is security. We have pushed very hard for genuine
humanitarian corridors to be set up. I am afraid that the
Russians have not properly done that and, in some cases, getting
supplies in is dangerous. Constituents can be reassured that we
have the funding and the supplies. The key thing that we are
working on with the international agencies is making sure that
the aid safely reaches its destination; that is the issue we
face.
(Brighton, Pavilion)
(Green)
In an FCDO press release last week, the Foreign Secretary said
that Russian intelligence services have targeted UK national
infrastructure in what she called a “calculated and dangerous”
hacking campaign and that Putin is sowing
“division and confusion among allies.”
She rightly said, in that press release, that she “will not
tolerate it”, so will she reassure the House that she is urging
the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to open an investigation into
the Intelligence and Security Committee’s Russia report on
Kremlin-linked influence in the UK? Will she admit that it is
simply not helpful that that report has still not been
investigated?
We have had that question before, and we have followed through on
the report’s recommendations and on making sure that United
Kingdom infrastructure is protected.
(Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)
I commend my right hon. Friend and the Prime Minister on the
actions that they have taken to support Ukraine—which have been
recognised by President Zelensky—including through humanitarian
and lethal aid and by providing the most supportive scheme for
families who are fleeing the horrors in Ukraine. Does my right
hon. Friend agree that there will be a consequence for the
western world—President Putin will have calculated that—through
higher food prices and higher energy prices and an impact on the
western world’s economies? Will she continue to play a
co-ordinating role to ensure that the western world responds in
the most robust way and that all Members of the House come
together in recognising the impact?
It is certainly true that the crisis is having an impact on
energy costs and food costs in the United Kingdom. The Chancellor
announced measures in his spring statement last week to help to
address some of those costs, but we have to be clear that the
cost of doing nothing is huge. This is about European security
and the future of freedom and democracy, and we know that the
people of Ukraine are paying an incredibly high cost at the
moment.
The other point that I want to make is that this is not just
about the western world; there are real issues about global food
security. One of the things that we are working on as part of our
new international development strategy is making sure that we
support people across the world. There will be increased demand
for food. There are concerns about food supply. We are working
very closely with our allies on how we ameliorate those effects,
which if we do not get this right could have not just food
security and humanitarian consequences, but global security
consequences.
(Chesterfield) (Lab)
The Ukrainian army, with its skill and bravery, is showing that
the Russian war machine can be stopped in its tracks. The
Secretary of State said that we will learn lessons, one of which
surely has to be about the British Army. Over 12 years we have
seen a systematic reduction in the size of the British Army and
there is a sense that the Government do not really have an idea
of what they want the British Army to do. Can we expect a
statement from the Government on stopping current plans for
further reducing the size of the British Army and instead having
a strategic approach which recognises that, alongside the cyber
and terrorist threats, we need to be ready to face major state
threats? That cannot be done overnight, because a huge amount of
skill and experience has already been lost from the British Army.
We need that investment and a strategic plan from the Government.
Will there be a statement to say that we will get that?
I point out to the hon. Gentleman that Operation Orbital, which
was led by the United Kingdom and has trained up 20,000 Ukrainian
troops, has been a very important part of the success of the
Ukrainian forces in being able to resist. I pay huge tribute to
the bravery of the Ukrainian forces. The UK has led on supplying
that sort of support and training.
Of course we need a comprehensive offer. That is what we are
doing: we are modernising our armed forces under the leadership
of the Defence Secretary, but we are also supplying more direct
support into the eastern flank of NATO to make sure that we are
protecting European security at this vital time.
(Wellingborough) (Con)
Evil human trafficking gangs are now operating in the countries
bordering Ukraine. They prey on young women and older girls and
promise them safe passage and a new home, but then move them
hundreds of miles away and force them into prostitution. Let us
imagine fleeing a war zone in Ukraine, reaching a safe country
and then being locked in a room hundreds of miles away and
repeatedly raped, day in, day out. May I ask the Foreign
Secretary what the Government and NATO are doing about it?
My hon. Friend has a strong record of standing up against the
appalling actions of human traffickers. He is absolutely right
that there is a real risk at the border and that people are being
threatened—women and girls are being threatened—with these
appalling activities. A core part of what our humanitarian aid is
supporting is the international agencies protecting against those
activities, which of course are also subject to war crimes
investigations. We are seeing appalling rape accusations in
Ukrainian cities as well. The UK is leading on prevention of
violence against women and girls and on tackling sexual violence
as a red line in war, and we will continue to do so.
(Islington North) (Ind)
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has just issued a
very strong appeal for an urgent and immediate ceasefire. What
are the British Government doing to support his call before there
is more bombing, more deaths and more people driven into refugee
status? Could the UN be the medium for a longer-term peace
conference that will bring about some degree—hopefully a real
degree—of peace and security for people in the area? Will the
Foreign Secretary say something about the very brave peace
activists in Russia who have risked a great deal to speak out
against this war?
Of course we completely support the UN call for a ceasefire. We
have worked at the UN General Assembly to secure the votes of 140
countries against Russia’s appalling aggressive action. It is
down to Putin and the Russian Government, who have pursued this
aggression against an innocent nation that had done absolutely
nothing to provoke it. I applaud those in Russia who are prepared
to stand up against the Government and protest against this
appalling war. Ultimately, it is for the Russian Government to
stop their appalling aggression in Ukraine and withdraw their
troops. That has to be the precursor to any peaceful resolution
of this crisis.
(Wolverhampton North East)
(Con)
We have seen the incredible determination and bravery of
Ukrainian forces defending their territory with many weapons
sourced from the UK. I am delighted by the announcement that we
are to send 6,000 more missiles. Defending Ukraine’s airspace is
crucial—we hear pleas from Ukraine every day—so I am delighted
about the Starstreak missiles that we are providing. Will my
right hon. Friend assure me that in her upcoming meetings with
our allies, she will encourage them to provide similar defences
to enable airspace defence?
The weapons that we are providing, including the NLAWs and now
the Starstreaks, are having a real impact in Ukraine. Those
weapons are produced across the United Kingdom—the NLAWs, for
instance, are produced in Belfast—so this is contributing to jobs
and growth across the UK, and represents a very important export
for us.
As for what more we can do, the Defence Secretary has already
held a donor conference to encourage other countries to supply
weapons, and we have seen many countries, including Germany, now
come forward, supplying weapons into Ukraine. We are also working
to supply logistics. We are co-ordinating the delivery of those
weapons to Ukraine. As I said earlier in respect of humanitarian
aid, the difficulty often lies in the final mile, getting the
equipment in, and the UK has been leading the way in that
regard.
(Na h-Eileanan an
Iar) (SNP)
I am glad that the Foreign Secretary mentioned food security. It
is apparently only 10 days until the planting season starts in
Ukraine. That poses obvious problems, on which we need not expand
here.
The Foreign Secretary talked about the need to go further and do
more, but when it comes to refugees, unfortunately, the UK
Government have gone almost nowhere and have done the least.
Leading charities called today for the scrapping of the visa
requirements, and it was reported at the weekend that a
Conservative councillor had resigned from the party owing to the
“hostile” and “xenophobic” policy on refugees. Surely now is the
time to change that. It emerged this morning that Ireland has
taken in 13,500 refugees. How many has the UK taken in, and will
the Government go further and do more for refugees? Will they
behave like normal humanitarian countries on this issue?
I can tell the hon. Gentleman that so far more than 20,000
individuals have been approved for the Ukraine family scheme. As
I have said, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities will be giving an update on the Homes for Ukraine
scheme later this week, but we already have 150,000 people
registered. Progress is being made, and we are seeing more
Ukrainians come to the United Kingdom.
(Morecambe and Lunesdale)
(Con)
We have recently seen an incursion into the NATO zone by a drone,
albeit an ancient drone, 30 years old, and with no markings on
it. Given the conferences that will take place in the next few
weeks, would it not be pertinent to start asking for a
safe-to-fly zone so that we can protect our air zone on the
borders of Ukraine and Moldova, and all the way up into the
Baltics?
What we are doing is maximising the support that we are giving
under the UN charter, which allows us to supply Ukraine in its
own self-defence. That is effective: we are seeing the
effectiveness of the NLAWs, and we are now putting in the
Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles. That is the way in which we
will support the Ukrainians in defeating Vladimir Putin and
ensuring that he loses in Ukraine. A no-fly zone would mean
direct NATO involvement in Ukraine, which is a very different
matter from the defence that we are supplying under the UN
charter.
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
At the United Nations General Assembly, we have seen some key
votes in which the vast majority of the world has come together
to stand with Ukraine, but we have also seen first 37 and then 38
countries remain neutral, either actively or passively, by
abstaining. What work is the Department doing to help those
countries to move into a safer place, whether in the context of
energy, food dependency or, indeed, their security?
The hon. Lady is correct. Many countries have been dependent on
Russia, sometimes for defence support, sometimes for food, and
sometimes for trade. What we need to do—and what we are doing,
with our allies—is work to increase our trade links, our economic
links and our defence links, as well as engaging with those
countries to encourage them to see Russia’s actions for what they
are.
If we live in a world where a sovereign state can simply be
invaded with impunity, what does that mean for the future of
those countries? That is the point that we are putting to all of
them. At the same time, however, we recognise that there are
genuine dependencies, so we have to help them to find alternative
sources of trade, food and indeed defence support in order to
encourage them not to side with Russia.
(Dudley South) (Con)
Further to the question asked by the hon. Member for Rochdale
(), can my right hon. Friend
update the House on what conversations she had with our G7 and
NATO allies when she and the Prime Minister visited Brussels
regarding what we can do to bolster other vulnerable countries in
the region such as Moldova?
We had thorough discussions with our NATO and G7 allies on how we
can help Moldova in terms of direct humanitarian support, support
with refugees and also defensive support. We have seen that
Putin’s ambitions are not just about Ukraine; they are about
creating a greater Russia. That threat is of course very severe
in Ukraine but it is not limited to Ukraine. As well as
bolstering Ukraine and its defences, we want to help countries
such as Moldova as well.
(Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)
The Foreign Secretary made an excellent point earlier about food
security. There is a prospect of this evil invasion of Ukraine
impacting on the global humanitarian situation and also affecting
us domestically when it comes to food supply. Would she consider
two urgent actions in that case? Is now not the right time to
restore the amount of aid we give to 0.7% of GDP? Is it not also
right to halt the foolish progressive reduction in the basic
payment scheme for our farmers, so that we can maintain our
ability to feed ourselves?
There are many things we can do to improve food supply. I am
certainly seeing what we can do through our aid budget, and we
are looking at our aid strategy at the moment. I completely agree
with the hon. Gentleman that this is a real issue. It is
recognised by our friends globally as a real issue and we are
working on it together, but we also need to look at what we can
do to support countries in areas such as trade. Increasing trade
with like-minded countries is another way of making sure that
food supplies are able to flow, and that is something we are also
looking at.
(Warwick and Leamington)
(Lab)
I want to place on record my thanks to the people of Warwick and
Leamington for their phenomenal response to this crisis, and in
particular to members of the Polish community and to Dawid
Kozlowski, who has set up a warehouse one and a half times the
size of this Chamber for all the contributions that have been
received. Can I ask the Secretary of State to elaborate on the
point raised by the right hon. Member for Dumfriesshire,
Clydesdale and Tweeddale () about humanitarian aid going
from the UK not just into Ukraine but into neighbouring
countries, and on how that is being channelled?
Humanitarian aid is going directly into Ukraine—some of it is
being delivered by the UN agency and by international Red Cross,
and some by the Ukrainian Government themselves. In terms of the
aid that is supporting in neighbouring countries, we are working
through the UN but we are also working directly with the
Government of Poland and other neighbouring Governments who have
an effective system to be able to deliver that aid. So a lot of
the aid we are putting in is going to those Governments so that
they can distribute it. We are also acting as a deliverer of
logistics for third-party Governments. For example, the
Australians have contributed donations and we are doing the
logistics to get that Australian aid into the neighbouring
nations and also directly into Ukraine.
(Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
(PC)
My constituent Gareth Roberts is currently in Prague with his
Ukrainian wife Nataliia and her daughter and granddaughter,
awaiting news of their family visa application. Like many others
caught up in this Kafkaesque dystopia of excessive bureaucracy
and insufficient capacity, they are beginning to run out of
funds. Granddaughter Albina has scoliosis, which means she has to
wear a brace for 23 hours every day. Comfortable accommodation is
not a luxury for them; it is a necessity—so much so that the
family are contemplating applying for refugee status in the Czech
Republic. I trust that the Minister speaks regularly to her Home
Office colleagues, so can she confirm that people who are forced
to apply for refugee status in other countries due to slow UK
bureaucracy will not then be made ineligible for family visas
here in the UK?
I will take up the right hon. Lady’s case urgently with the Home
Office to get it resolved as soon as possible.
(Kingston upon Hull North)
(Lab)
Like the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone), I am concerned
about the mass movement of women and children from Ukraine
opening up opportunities for human trafficking and particularly
sex trafficking. At the weekend, it was reported that, according
to a number of charities, the Homes for Ukraine scheme risks
operating as Tinder for sex traffickers. What does the Foreign
Secretary have to say about that?
Criminal justice checks are done on all those participating in
the Homes for Ukraine scheme, to ensure that there is proper
safeguarding. I agree with the right hon. Lady about the very
concerning issue of human trafficking at the border. We have more
than 300 staff in the region working with the international
agencies to prevent that from happening, but she is right to say
that it is a real risk, and we take it extremely seriously.
(North East Fife)
(LD)
Communities across the UK, such as Newport in my constituency,
which is twinned with Zolotarevo in Ukraine, have offered
accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. In response to my hon.
Friend the Member for Oxford West and Abingdon (), the Foreign Secretary said
that there were some transport options for Ukrainian refugees
coming to the UK, but can she advise whether additional financial
support will be available, and whether Disasters Emergency
Committee resources might be used for that?
I can tell the hon. Lady that this support is being put through
the UNHCR and the Governments in countries such as Poland with
whom we are working closely. There is direct financial support
being provided, but also Wizz Air has opened free flights from
Warsaw to the UK and, as I have said, Eurostar is offering
similar support. There are a number of routes people can use. The
key point is that when those refugees cross the border into
Poland they are provided with that information by the Polish
Government so that they can access those resources.
(Denton and Reddish)
(Lab)
I pay tribute to the Ukrainian armed forces, to the resistance
fighters and to ordinary citizens for the fortitude they have
shown in the face of Russian aggression. It is a human reaction:
I cannot help feeling that there is more that we can and should
be doing to help them at this time. The Foreign Secretary will
have seen media reports that Russia’s plan B is to carve the
country into two distinct territorial units politically. In her
statement, she said:
“We will work to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty.”
I agree with her, but what does she mean by this?
First, any media reports about what the Russians are planning to
do should not be taken at face value. What we know is that Putin
is not succeeding in his plan, that he is desperate and that he
could go to any measures. I think we need to be clear about that.
I agree with what President Zelensky has said, which is that he
wants to see the entirety of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty restored, and that is what we are supporting him to
do.
(Carmarthen East and
Dinefwr) (Ind)
The UN’s World Food Programme is warning that the war is creating
a shockwave through the international food markets, further
inflating prices and disrupting supply, which will lead to dire
consequences for global hunger. Will the Foreign Secretary
reassure the House that supporting international efforts to
alleviate suffering in famine-ravaged countries is a priority for
the British Government?
It is very much a priority. We are working closely with the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and with our
international counterparts to address that crucial issue.
(Sefton Central) (Lab)
The Foreign Secretary gave us the figure for the number of
Ukrainian refugees who have been approved to come to the UK, but
she did not give us the figure for the number of refugees who
have arrived here. Is that because she does not know that figure?
Perhaps she can tell us why she is giving us one figure but not
the other. Is not the logic of what she said about the need for
changes to the Homes for Ukraine scheme that the Government
should introduce a humanitarian visa so that people can come here
without all the bureaucracy and the difficulties we have heard
about from hon. Members this afternoon?
The number I quoted is a Home Office number, and I am happy to
ask the Home Office to give the hon. Gentleman further
details.
(Hartlepool) (Con)
My right hon. Friend says she thinks President Putin is
increasingly desperate and could try anything. In that case, how
much credibility does she attach to the possibility that he could
stage an attack against his own people to garner further domestic
support for his invasion of Ukraine?
I am afraid to say that what we have seen from President Putin is
an attempt to create all kinds of false flag operations. The UK
has been working with the United States to highlight the
intelligence we have that demonstrates his playbook. We did that
for his claims of a chemical weapon attack, and we have done it
for his attempt to establish a puppet regime. We will continue to
call out his appalling activities.
(Paisley and Renfrewshire
North) (SNP)
I think the Foreign Secretary’s comments on the economic and jobs
advantages of our lethal aid to Ukraine were, I am sure
unintentionally, a little crass and insensitive. She may want to
reflect and clarify those remarks after looking at Hansard.
People in my constituency and across the country with connections
to Ukrainians who are applying for refuge in this country are
being met with absurd bureaucratic delays. What changes are now
being made? Further to the point made by my hon. Friend the
Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (), why did the
Chancellor not award the Home Office any further funding to do
more and to do it quicker?
What I said about the weapons we are supplying is that we have a
good defence industry in the United Kingdom and that the people
of Northern Ireland are proud that their products are being used
to help defend freedom and democracy.
(Ealing Central and Acton)
(Lab)
Can the Foreign Secretary shed light on reports that civil
servants working on Afghan resettlement are now being redeployed
to Ukraine issues? Can she reassure us that, while we still have
ongoing moral obligations and casework in Afghanistan, there is
bandwidth for both?
My constituent Jibran Masud got out of Ukraine, and he was due to
sit finals at Dnipro Medical Institute in May. Will the Foreign
Secretary find something equivalent for him and the apparently
dozens like him so that they can do their finals here and benefit
our NHS as doctors? They are all British nationals.
I will see what I can do about the medical students. It was a
major focus of our initial evacuation to make sure we
successfully helped them to leave Ukraine in these very difficult
circumstances.
(Strangford) (DUP)
I welcome the statement and commend the Foreign Secretary for her
strong leadership. This morning my constituent, a humanitarian
doctor on the border of Ukraine, told me she is struggling after
seeing children horrifically scarred with third-degree burns.
Those children face an uncertain and very painful future, as they
need plastic surgery and other interventions. I assured this
young doctor and her family that I will be praying for her, but
what more will we do to provide specific medical support for
those children and, importantly, to provide the vital support
that is needed to stop the bombings that are causing this
devastation?
The hon. Gentleman is right that these devasting injuries are
being caused by President Putin’s appalling aggressive actions in
Ukraine. We are helping people with medical emergencies, and we
are flying people into the United Kingdom for treatment for some
of these horrific injuries.
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