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
10 results
Clear
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Government Response AI assessment · 22 of 12 classified
Accepted 10
Acknowledged 11
Not Addressed 1
Total 12 recs + 10 conclusions