First Report - Russia and Ukraine border tensions
Select Committee
Defence Committee
HC 167
6 July 2021
Government response
Third Special Report - Russia and Ukraine border tensions: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 23 Sep 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
1
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 5
The UK, working with NATO allies and the Organization for Security and Co- operation in...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 13
The UK, working with NATO allies and other UN Member states, should insist Russia lifts...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 47
Russia prefers to keep the West in the dark about its military activities and the...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
Para 53
The UK, with the US, should insist Russia stand by the international agreements it has...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Para 66
The UK’s presidency of the G7 is an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate global...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
Para 67
UK Ministers should continue to support and encourage Ukraine to seek peaceful resolution to the...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Para 68
The UK Government should continue to work closely with Ukraine, NATO and other allies to...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
The UK and NATO must push back on Russia’s narrative, that Ukrainian membership of NATO,...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 83
We welcome the new Memorandum of Intention for naval projects with Ukraine and endorse the...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 89
The UK and NATO should continue to maximise efforts to help Ukraine reform to meet...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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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