Russia and Ukraine border tensions

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 14 Apr 2021 Closed: 6 Dec 2022 Parliament page
The Committee is holding a one-off evidence session to examine the extent of Russian military build-up along the border of Eastern Ukraine over recent months. This session will focus on Russia’s military intentions and what the UK Government and NATO can do to de-escalate tension in the region.
12 Recommendations
10 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
1 Event
Activity timeline 3 events
23 Sep
2021
Report published
6 Jul
2021
Report published
21 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
21 Apr 2021
View on parliament.uk
Henry Boyd · International Institute for Strategic Studies Sarah Lain · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Russia and Ukraine border tensions HC 167 6 Jul 2021 22 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
22 results
1 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK, working with NATO allies and the Organization for Security and Co- operation in...
The UK, working with NATO allies and the Organization for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE), should encourage Ukraine, Russia and the separatists in the Donbas region to enforce the ceasefire and additional measures agreed in July 2020 by … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the recommendation and states it is already pressing for all parties to uphold the July 2020 ceasefire. It confirms it will continue to work with allies to call on Russia to uphold OSCE principles and urges Russia to engage constructively in the Normandy format.
Ministry of Defence
View details
2 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK, working with NATO allies and other UN Member states, should insist Russia lifts...
The UK, working with NATO allies and other UN Member states, should insist Russia lifts restrictions on the movement of foreign vessels in the Black Sea, particularly in the Kerch Strait, which is in violation of the UN Convention on … Read more
Government Response
The government noted the recommendation, outlining its consistent opposition to Russian aggression, its commitment to defending the Rules-Based International System, and its existing efforts to assert freedom of navigation.
Ministry of Defence
View details
3 Recommendation Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The 1 May deadline, by when Russia said it would pull back additional troops exercising...
The 1 May deadline, by when Russia said it would pull back additional troops exercising on the border with Ukraine, has passed; the UK, working with NATO allies and other OSCE Member states, should insist Russia withdraws all its additional … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the committee's recommendation, expressing continued concern that Russia has not fully withdrawn its troops and equipment, and reiterating that its behavior is unacceptable.
Ministry of Defence
View details
4 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The large scale of the Russian military build-up is unusual for a normal exercise, but...
The large scale of the Russian military build-up is unusual for a normal exercise, but our evidence suggests that based on where troops are positioned in Crimea, it is unlikely to be a preparation for a full-scale Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine.
Government Response
The Government notes the Committee's view on the Russian military build-up, acknowledging it was unusual and escalatory, and commits to carefully monitoring the situation and holding Russia accountable.
Ministry of Defence
View details
5 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
Russia has a right to deploy troops on its own territory but also has a...
Russia has a right to deploy troops on its own territory but also has a duty to regional security and stability to be transparent about military exercises and military activity close to her borders, as set out in Section 1 … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's statement regarding Russia's obligations for transparency in military activities and expresses disappointment that Russia is not upholding these commitments. The government reaffirms its call for Russia to adhere to OSCE principles.
Ministry of Defence
View details
6 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
Russia prefers to keep the West in the dark about its military activities and the...
Russia prefers to keep the West in the dark about its military activities and the strategic goals, which underpin them. However, it is unlikely that Russia would want to provoke further Western economic sanctions or military assistance to Ukraine.
Government Response
The government notes the committee's view and states that it continues to work with international partners to maintain sanctions and military assistance to Ukraine as long as Russia's illegitimate control of Crimea continues.
Ministry of Defence
View details
7 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
Russia has several probable motives for escalating tensions on the border with Ukraine, driven by...
Russia has several probable motives for escalating tensions on the border with Ukraine, driven by regional insecurities and President Putin’s willingness to engage in power politics. Russia is using its military for coercive diplomacy, to pressure the Ukrainian Government to … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the Committee’s view on Russia's motives and reaffirms the UK's steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as outlined in the Integrated review and Defence Command paper.
Ministry of Defence
View details
8 Recommendation Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
Russia must honour its commitments under the Vienna Document as an OSCE participating State and...
Russia must honour its commitments under the Vienna Document as an OSCE participating State and fully co-operate in OSCE meetings to support confidence and security-building measures and de-escalate conflict. The UK should, with its Allies, use the OSCE mechanisms in … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that Russia must honour its commitments under the Vienna Document and continues to call on Russia to use OSCE processes. However, it does not commit to the specific UK actions recommended, such as using OSCE mechanisms to hold Russia to account or bringing the dispute before the Court of Conciliation and Arbitration.
Ministry of Defence
View details
9 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK, with the US, should insist Russia stand by the international agreements it has...
The UK, with the US, should insist Russia stand by the international agreements it has signed up to and its commitment, made in 1994, to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and states it will continue to work closely with the US to insist Russia uphold its international agreements, reaffirming the UK's commitment to Ukraine's security assurances.
Ministry of Defence
View details
10 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
In contrast to Georgia’s response in 2008 to send in troops to counter Russian aggression,...
In contrast to Georgia’s response in 2008 to send in troops to counter Russian aggression, Ukraine has demonstrated restraint and sought to resolve the escalating situation through political and diplomatic channels.
Government Response
The government agrees with the Committee's observation, commending Ukraine's restraint and diplomatic efforts, and noting its full support for Ukraine's actions to de-escalate the situation.
Ministry of Defence
View details
11 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK’s presidency of the G7 is an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate global...
The UK’s presidency of the G7 is an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate global leadership in security, diplomacy and conflict resolution, consistent with its expressed strategic intentions set out in the Integrated Review.
Government Response
The government agrees with the Committee's view and states that it will continue to use its G7 presidency to demonstrate global leadership in security, diplomacy, and conflict resolution, citing the discussion on Ukraine at the G7 Summit.
Ministry of Defence
View details
12 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
UK Ministers should continue to support and encourage Ukraine to seek peaceful resolution to the...
UK Ministers should continue to support and encourage Ukraine to seek peaceful resolution to the conflict with Russia, through political settlement and implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Government Response
The government welcomed the recommendation, affirming it will continue to fully support the Minsk agreements and the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, and supports the work of relevant contact groups.
Ministry of Defence
View details
13 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK Government should continue to work closely with Ukraine, NATO and other allies to...
The UK Government should continue to work closely with Ukraine, NATO and other allies to monitor the situation on the ground, share intelligence and plan a co-ordinated approach for joint action to promote collective security in the region.
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and states it already leads efforts with allies to ensure situational understanding, share intelligence, and coordinate responses through ongoing activities and NATO forums.
Ministry of Defence
View details
14 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK and NATO must push back on Russia’s narrative, that Ukrainian membership of NATO,...
The UK and NATO must push back on Russia’s narrative, that Ukrainian membership of NATO, and NATO enlargement in general, would present a threat to Russia’s security, pointing out, for example, that Russia, not Ukraine or NATO, has taken or … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation, reiterating that Russia is the destabilising party and NATO is a defensive alliance. It states NATO leaders reaffirmed no threat to Russia and that the UK will continue to support the NATO-Ukraine partnership.
Ministry of Defence
View details
15 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
We welcome the new Memorandum of Intention for naval projects with Ukraine and endorse the...
We welcome the new Memorandum of Intention for naval projects with Ukraine and endorse the UK Government putting in place a much longer-term package of support, beyond the conclusion of Operation Orbital in 2023, to assist Ukraine in building up … Read more
Government Response
The Government welcomes the request, confirms contractual work has begun on naval projects with Ukraine, and commits to providing annual updates on the progress of the naval capabilities programme.
Ministry of Defence
View details
16 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK and NATO should continue to maximise efforts to help Ukraine reform to meet...
The UK and NATO should continue to maximise efforts to help Ukraine reform to meet NATO standards and to become more interoperable with NATO and its equipment, for example through regular joint training exercises.
Government Response
The Government agrees and details ongoing efforts, including participation in joint exercises, providing a Special Defence Advisor, and supporting the Ukraine Defence Reform Advisory Board, to help Ukraine meet NATO standards and increase interoperability.
Ministry of Defence
View details
17 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
We believe the UK Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis, demonstrates a commitment to the...
We believe the UK Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis, demonstrates a commitment to the overarching themes for Global Britain set out above in the Integrated Review and the Defence Command paper. This can be evidenced in Russia and Ukraine … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the committee's view that its response to the Ukraine crisis demonstrates commitment to Global Britain themes, detailing its existing commitments and ongoing diplomatic support for Ukraine.
Ministry of Defence
View details
18 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
However, Britain’s global ambitions now include a tilt to the Indo-Pacific, with the Government promising...
However, Britain’s global ambitions now include a tilt to the Indo-Pacific, with the Government promising to deepen engagement by our armed forces and establish a greater and more persistent presence there as well.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's conclusion, affirming that its enhanced focus on the Indo-Pacific is a positive effort aligned with shifting global dynamics, aiming to leverage opportunities and manage risks.
Ministry of Defence
View details
19 Recommendation Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The Integrated Review identifies Russia as “the most acute direct threat to the UK”.
The Integrated Review identifies Russia as “the most acute direct threat to the UK”. The UK Government should clarify how its global ambitions, in particular its proposed tilt to the Indo-Pacific, will be balanced with deterring the threat from Russia … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is not deprioritising any regions and remains committed to both Euro-Atlantic security and Indo-Pacific engagement. It asserts that defence policy and planning mechanisms are designed to preclude overstretch, but does not offer specific clarification on how the balance will be achieved.
Ministry of Defence
View details
20 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
We commend the UK Government for their role in intelligence sharing and monitoring the situation...
We commend the UK Government for their role in intelligence sharing and monitoring the situation in the Donbas and Crimea.
Government Response
The government welcomes the Committee's commendation for its role in intelligence sharing and monitoring, stating it will continue these efforts with allies to maintain understanding and avoid miscalculation.
Ministry of Defence
View details
21 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The International community has reacted quickly and united behind a clear message to Russia that...
The International community has reacted quickly and united behind a clear message to Russia that the world is watching and there will be consequences for illegal military action. Lessons have been learnt from the Georgia crisis in 2008 and the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion, noting Russia's pattern of aggression, and states it will continue to work with allies to learn from collective experiences and maintain a robust international response.
Ministry of Defence
View details
22 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Russia and Ukraine …
The UK and NATO must decide what their red lines are and the appropriate action...
The UK and NATO must decide what their red lines are and the appropriate action which could be taken, if Russia crosses a red line. (Paragraph 112) 28 Russia and Ukraine border tensions
Government Response
The government notes the recommendation but does not commit to deciding specific 'red lines'. It instead highlights existing NATO efforts to deter threats and protect people as clear and proportionate responses.
Ministry of Defence
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 22 of 12 classified
Accepted 10
Acknowledged 11
Not Addressed 1
Total 12 recs + 10 conclusions