Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab): My Lords, Russia applies pressure
militarily, economically and politically until it meets
counterpressure that is credible and strong and it has to pay a
price, which we have seen here. Therefore, will the UK apply the
latest group of US sanctions against Russia and encourage our NATO
and EU allies to do the same? Do the Government support the
completion of Nord Stream 2 which will severely damage the economy
of Ukraine? The Minister of State, Foreign,...Request free trial
(Lab): My Lords, Russia applies pressure
militarily, economically and politically until it meets
counterpressure that is credible and strong and it has to pay a
price, which we have seen here. Therefore, will the UK apply the
latest group of US sanctions against Russia and encourage our NATO
and EU allies to do the same? Do the Government support the
completion of Nord Stream 2 which will severely
damage the economy of Ukraine?
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
()
(Con): My Lords, on the noble Lord’s second point, we have
repeatedly stated our position on the issue of Nord Stream 2 while we ourselves do not
welcome it, it is an issue and a challenge for Germany. I agree
with the noble Lord’s earlier point, and we are working closely
with our allies. The noble Lord alluded to reports that are
currently circulating on further actions the United States will be
taking. The formal announcement of that is imminent, and we will
respond accordingly.
(Con): My Lords, President Putin is an authoritarian
and dictatorial bully, and like all bullies, he senses weakness. He
senses weakness in Nord Stream in Germany; he
senses it, rightly or wrongly—I think probably wrongly—in the new
President Biden in the United States; and he senses weakness when
the United Kingdom reduces its Armed Forces, its aircraft, its
ships and, above all, the size of its Army at this time. So, will
my noble friend go back to our right honourable friend the Foreign
Secretary and get him to argue in Cabinet that to reduce the Armed
Forces at the moment is a signal to bullies that we are not to be
taken seriously?
(Con): My Lords, I know my noble friend speaks from great insight
and expertise about our Armed Forces, but I assure him that Her
Majesty’s Government are fully committed to our Armed Forces, which
is underlined by the additional funding that has been provided to
the Ministry of Defence. On the broader issue of security, we stand
firmly with our allies and in support of the NATO alliance. I
suggest that with the new Administration in the United States we
have seen a realignment and strengthening of that alliance.
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