To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to
convene an international conference on Ukraine.
The Minister of State, Department for the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
( of Richmond Park) (Con)
My Lords, the UK Government have been at the heart of the
international response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We
have played a prominent part in international co-ordination,
including conferences convening key humanitarian donors and
contributors of military support. As well as providing direct
support to Ukraine, we continue to work closely with
international partners, particularly through the G7, to
co-ordinate our sanctions and economic measures on Russia and our
wider diplomatic backing for Ukraine.
(Con)
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for what he said and
acknowledge what has been done by this country, but he did not
answer my Question. The convening of an international conference
could do much to bolster President Zelensky. It could indicate
that we would in no circumstances contemplate an inch of
Ukrainian territory that was occupied by Ukraine on 24 February
going anywhere else, but also that we are deeply disturbed by the
massive destruction and increasing loss of life. We should tell
President Zelensky that we need to agree what is achievable, and
then do everything in our power to achieve it, for a defeat of
Ukraine is a defeat of us all.
of Richmond Park (Con)
My Lords, I acknowledge that I did not directly answer my noble
friend’s question, but that is partly because it is very hard to
answer. There are any number of international events, some of
which we have co-ordinated and convened; others have been
convened by allies and partners. This is a continuous process. At
the G7, we took the unprecedented step of taking away Russia’s
most favoured nation status at the WTO. At UNGA, the UK led 141
states in condemning Russia’s invasion; 140 voted with Ukraine on
a separate humanitarian resolution. I could spend the rest of the
10 minutes detailing events that have happened internationally,
many of them convened by the UK, where the message has been sent
as loudly and clearly as possible that we support Ukraine in its
battle against Russia and that we will absolutely stand up for
Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.
(Lab)
My Lords, security guarantees in some indiscernible form continue
to be referenced as a major issue in ending the war in Ukraine.
We understand that Kyiv is now in discussion with the Quad about
them. Yesterday, the Prime Minister met President Zelensky and
No. 10 briefed the press that they had discussed security
guarantees. When will the Government make a Statement to
Parliament about what is being discussed and the implications for
us, the United Kingdom, of these guarantees?
of Richmond Park (Con)
My Lords, the UK position has not changed. We have been providing
support continuously since the beginning of this grim episode. I
think it is true to say that we are the second largest
contributor of military equipment and the second largest
supporter of Ukraine through humanitarian efforts. We have always
maintained that, although it is for Ukraine to determine the
final settlement, arrangements or agreement, if such an agreement
is reached with Russia, our support is unambiguously with
Ukraine.
(CB)
My Lords, the Minister mentioned sanctions. What assessment have
the Government made of the effectiveness of the sanctions so far
imposed, and will they continue to be imposed even if there is a
ceasefire?
of Richmond Park (Con)
On the second point, I am afraid I cannot answer; it is not for
me to discuss future policy in relation to sanctions. However,
there have been a number of assessments of the effect of the
sanctions. We believe that the sanctions have had an inhibiting
effect in relation to Mr Putin’s ability to mobilise his forces.
For example, several weapons manufacturers have had to suspend
their activity as a result of lack of access to parts, and
defence company capabilities have been restricted, limiting
Russia’s ability to replace advanced tech, including drones.
Russia’s domestic vehicle sales have dropped by around 80%,
partly due to lack of components. It is also forecast that
Russia’s GDP is shrinking by anything between 8% and 15% this
year, with the IMF expecting its economy to shrink further next
year. As I said, it is not appropriate to speculate on specific
future designations as that would undermine their impact, but
there is no doubt that the sanctions are having an effect.
(LD)
The President of Senegal, as chairperson of the African Union,
met representatives at the EU summit last week. He warned of the
collateral damage that is putting between 8 million and 13
million people in Africa—especially in central Africa and the
Horn of Africa, which I will visit next week—in imminent danger
of absolute hunger. There is a great need for urgent
international co-ordination between the IMF, the World Bank, the
G7, the EU and the UK. Will the Minister consider a London summit
on humanitarian relief for the collateral damage being inflicted
on the most innocent and vulnerable in the world, through no
fault of their own, as a result of Putin’s aggression?
of Richmond Park (Con)
My Lords, it certainly is the case that Russia, and in particular
Vladimir Putin, has used hunger as one of the weapons in his war
against Ukraine, with effects not just for people in the region
but across the whole world, as the noble Lord said. The UK has
announced additional finance as an immediate relief for those
countries most affected. For example, we are addressing, through
investment, food insecurity in the Horn of Africa and Yemen. We
have pledged £286 million to meet needs in Afghanistan. Over the
next three years, we will direct £3 billion to the most
vulnerable countries and people to help them recover from the
crises. In addition, the World Bank has announced $30 billion to
address food insecurity globally over the next 15 months, much of
which—although not all—is a response to what is happening in
Ukraine.
(Lab)
My Lords, I want to pick up the last point the Minister made, on
the global food shortages caused by the failure to get grain out
of Ukraine. What is the Government’s response to the EU
President’s strong backing at the Security Council this week for
UN Secretary-General Guterres’s efforts to get a package
agreement that would allow grain exports from Ukraine and ensure
that Russian food and fertiliser have unrestricted access to
global markets? What are we doing to work in concert with the EU
on this important area?
of Richmond Park (Con)
I believe that the EU and the UK are completely aligned on this
issue. Yesterday, the Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky,
and freeing up Ukraine’s grain supplies was top of the list of
priorities in their discussion. However, I am afraid that I do
not have a precise readout of their discussion, other than to say
that this was a key focus of it.
(Con)
My Lords, does the Minister agree with me that the one
requirement that Ukraine has above all others is more heavy
weaponry and artillery? What more can the UK do, and what
discussions has the Minister’s department had with our EU allies
and counterparts?
of Richmond Park (Con)
My Lords, alongside our allies and partners, we are supporting
Ukraine to defend itself against Russia. We have committed £1.3
billion so far in military support for Ukraine. As of 25 May, we
have sent 6,900 anti-tank missiles, including NLAWs and Javelins;
air defence systems, including Starstreak anti-air missiles;
1,360 anti-structures munitions; and 4.5 tonnes of plastic
explosives. We sent over 200,000 pieces of non-lethal
aid—helmets, body armour and so on—and on 22 April the PM
announced that we will send Challenger 2 main battle tanks to
Poland to backfill and thus enable Poland to give tanks to
Ukraine. As we have made very clear, our support will continue
for as long as necessary.
(Non-Afl)
My Lords, Ukraine’s economy is under severe strain. Does the
Minister agree that the leading western economies of the world
are well capable of providing the necessary economic support to
stabilise the Ukrainian economy? Do the Government have any plans
to organise a meeting or a conference to ensure that that support
is put in place, so that it can demonstrably be seen by Ukraine’s
main adversary that we will continue to support the economy in
whatever way is necessary?
of Richmond Park (Con)
My Lords, we have given £74 million to support the Ukrainian
Government’s day-to-day spending. We have given a £100 million
three-year package to reform energy supply and to support their
energy independence moves. The Foreign Secretary has reiterated
that we stand ready to guarantee up to a billion dollars in
government loans. We have instructed the UK export credit agency
to retain £3.5 billion of financial support for trade with
Ukraine, and on 9 April, the Prime Minister announced an
additional half a billion dollars in World Bank guarantees to
support Ukraine’s economy. As the noble Lord will know, the UK is
absolutely not standing alone here. World leaders are discussing
what the final support package will have to look like in order to
help Ukraine rebuild and stand up again. We fully expect that
Russia should be required to contribute significantly to that
cost.
