Ukraine: Military Support

Several Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Labour Party, including David Burton-Sampson, Cat Eccles, and Matt Western, asked the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, about recent discussions he has had with international counterparts regarding support for Ukraine. In his response, the Secretary of State explained that he regularly discusses ways to support Ukraine with international partners. He mentioned that he had met with the Ukrainian counterpart and the new Secretary-General of NATO in London the previous week, and had also attended the Ukraine defence contact group in Ramstein the previous month, where he met with nearly 50 other Defence Ministers to commit to continued support for Ukraine, both in the immediate fight and for the long term. David Burton-Sampson followed up, expressing concern about loopholes that allow Russian oil exports to be developed into other petroleum products and then imported into the UK and other countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia. The Secretary of State acknowledged the need for economic and diplomatic support alongside military aid, and stated that the UK has banned the import of Russian oil and oil products, and that importers must now include proof of origin and country of last dispatch to tighten up on the loopholes. Cat Eccles discussed her recent visit to the Chernihiv oblast in Ukraine, where she observed a large military effort by communities and local government. She asked about the Secretary of State's discussions to ensure funds are going into these community and local government efforts. The Secretary of State highlighted the UK's £38 million commitment to the Ukraine good governance fund, which has allowed communities to draw down funding and the Ukrainian government to address corruption. Matt Western raised concerns about Russia's intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including the use of cluster munitions. He asked what additional support the UK can provide through de-mining equipment. The Secretary of State condemned these attacks as breaches of international humanitarian law, and stated that the UK has been offering specialist advice on how to protect energy generation and transmission sites, and has committed an additional £20 million to support Ukraine's emergency energy needs. John Cooper, a Conservative MP, expressed concern about the reluctance of senior figures in the Scottish Government to invest in defence companies, and asked the Secretary of State to explain how Scotland can play its full part in supporting Ukraine, given its role in producing ordnance and other military equipment. The Secretary of State acknowledged the important role that Scottish workers and industry play in the UK's security and in supporting Ukraine, and stated that the UK's defence industrial strategy will reinforce this essential role. Richard Foord, a Liberal Democrat MP, asked whether the EU27 plus the UK will be in a position to assure President Zelensky that military aid to Ukraine will not decrease next year, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. The Secretary of State responded simply, "Yes, they will." Finally, Jim Shannon, a Democratic Unionist Party MP, asked the Secretary of State about the possibility of providing Ukraine with a system similar to Israel's "Iron Dome" air defense system. The Secretary of State acknowledged the priority placed by Ukraine on strengthening its air defense capabilities, and mentioned the UK's recent contract for short-range air defense missiles, some of which will be delivered to Ukraine before the end of the year, with more to follow in 2025.