The UK will call on all NATO Allies to ramp up their support for
Ukraine during the Foreign Secretary's first NATO Foreign
Ministerial Meeting in Brussels today. As Ukraine endures a third
winter since Russia's full-scale invasion, he will call on Allies
to boost their military assistance and ensure Ukraine continues
on its irreversible path to NATO membership.
The visit reaffirms the UK's unshakable commitment to NATO, and
our mission to delivering stability and security to enable a more
prosperous future for our country. Investing in our collective
defence is vital to supporting opportunity and prosperity in the
UK- securing supply chains, protecting energy security and
underpinning the conditions for continued growth at home.
During his intervention at the North Atlantic Council, the
Foreign Secretary will reiterate the vital importance of NATO as
the foundation of UK and Euro-Atlantic security, which supports
the conditions for our economic security and growth including
through the UK's own defence industry.
He will also call on Allies to deter cooperation between Russia
and its key enablers. Russia has increasing third-party support
which must be met with a robust and decisive response from NATO
Allies, with the deployment of DPRK forces to Kursk, and Iranian
transfers of ballistic missiles to Russia.
We will make clear that failing to increase Euro-Atlantic
support, will embolden an increasingly aggressive Putin, and
force Allies to invest far more in the future. The UK has
provided £12.8billion of support to Ukraine since the start of
the full-scale invasion and has committed to providing £3 billion
a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as it takes,
with some of the UK's leading defence companies further helping
to strengthen Ukraine's defensive.
The Foreign Secretary will also reiterate the Alliance‘s concerns
about China's role in enabling Russia's invasion through its
exports to the Russian defence industry.
Foreign Secretary, said:
Investment in Ukraine's security is investment in Euro-Atlantic
and global security.
99% of military support to Ukraine has been from NATO Allies.
This support is critical to enabling Ukraine to defend itself
against Russian aggression, and the UK and Allies must double
down on our efforts to ensure Ukraine prevails.
This government has been clear that Europe must do more together
now by increasing defence spending. This is a strategic
imperative for our whole continent and it is why the UK is
committed to 2.5% as soon as possible.
At the Foreign Ministerial Meeting, the Foreign Secretary will
meet key Allies, including the Finnish, Danish and Turkish
Foreign Ministers. He will discuss a range of matters, including
the need to boost defence spending, helping to strengthen both
the UK and Ukraine's defence industrial bases and support
investment in further military capabilities.
Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas
Territories, , attended the first day of
the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting, where he advocated for
continued support for Ukraine and attended the NATO-Ukraine
Council working dinner. He also met with HM King Abdullah II of
Jordan alongside Allies to discuss Jordan's vital role as a NATO
partner, and the wider security picture in the Middle East.
The Foreign Secretary will travel on to Malta on Wednesday
evening for a working dinner at the OSCE Foreign Ministerial
meeting where he will further reiterate the importance of
doubling down on support to Ukraine.
