MP, Labour's Shadow Defence
Secretary, commenting ahead of the meetings with NATO
defence ministers, said:
“Labour’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable – and deterrence and
diplomacy remain the only route towards de-escalating Russia’s
threats. We stand united in opposition to Russian aggression and
in support of Ukraine's sovereignty.
“The Defence Secretary must bring a new diplomatic drive into
these meetings to maintain unity between NATO members, as we
reinforce the security of our allies and stand up to President
Putin.
“Despite increasing threats, the Defence Secretary is cutting
another 10,000 British Army troops over the next three years. He
must call an immediate halt to these cuts and ensure our full
NATO obligations are met.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
-
NATO’s Secretary General’s pre-ministerial address
ahead of the meetings:https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_191832.htm
-
Labour’s Opposition Day Debate on Strength of the Armed
Forces, 14 April 2021: “calls on the Government to
rethink its plan set out in the Defence Command Paper,
published in March 2021, CP411, to reduce key defence
capabilities and reduce the strength of the Armed Forces,
including a further reduction in the size of the Army by 2025”
-
PMQs, 24 March 2021: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-03-24/debates/B0C48015-CE82-42BF-B2E5-4C5F150914CD/Engagements
