Extract from Commons
debate on Relationship with Russia and China
(Orkney and Shetland)
(LD):...With Putin, and others like him, it is always important
to see that we have sent the right signals. What signals have we
sent—by “we” I mean western Europeans—since 2014? We allowed
Germany to go ahead and negotiate the construction
of Nord Stream
2 a project that was designed specifically to take
Ukraine out of the equation and allow a continued supply of gas
from Russia to Europe...
For context, CLICK HERE
Extract from Commons
statement on Ukraine
The Prime Minister ():...Now we have a clear
mission: diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually
militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin
must end in failure. At the G7 meeting this afternoon, we agreed
to work in unity to maximise the economic price that Putin will
pay for his aggression. This must include ending Europe’s
collective dependence on Russian oil and gas that has served to
empower Putin for too long, so I welcome again Chancellor
Scholz’s excellent decision to halt the certification
of Nord Stream
2...
For context, CLICK HERE
Extract from oral
answer (Lords) on Ukraine: NATO Membership
(CB): My Lords, the
Minister spoke of the importance of a unitary voice; of course,
he is absolutely correct as far as this place is concerned.
However, in his initial response he also touched on matters
relating to the European Union. Is he aware that, yesterday, both
Italy and Austria prevaricated in their support for sanctions?
Indeed, Hungary is directly opposed to sanctions. What will the
Minister do to encourage these states to come in line with what
is the right thing to do?
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office () (Con): My
Lords, I can share that, among my meetings at the United Nations
yesterday, I met the Foreign Minister of Germany. We welcome the
decision made by the German Chancellor to pull back
on Nord Stream 2 That
shows the real sense of unity prevailing across Europe. It is my
understanding that, later today, there will be an EU Foreign
Affairs Council meeting, which will discuss the very issues that
the noble Lord raises.
To read all the exchanges, CLICK HERE
Extract from Lords
motion to approve the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment)
Regulations 2022
(Con):...I am sure that it is
recognised today in Berlin and Paris that that has failed. At the
beginning of this week, I had lunch in this House with some
German politicians who were hopeful of it working. They pointed
out to me that Nord Stream
2 had been put on hold, not cancelled, and it could
be revived. We talked about it, and one of the points that was
made was that, of course, it goes two ways: it can bring gas from
Russia and, once it is in the European gas network, it can pump
it back. Indeed, some of my German interlocutors said that one of
the guarantees that they could give would be that, if Russia
threatened Ukraine’s gas supplies, Germany could supply it with
gas. I mention that because it shows that, right up to the last
minutes, the foreign ministries in Europe were trying to find a
peaceful solution...
For context, CLICK HERE
