šŸ¤ UK-Ukraine 100-year Partnership

Commons Chamber

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The UK has signed a historic 100-year partnership with Ukraine, aimed at enhancing security, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Kyiv to sign the agreement, which includes a legally binding treaty and covers cooperation across nine key areas. The partnership comes at a critical time as Ukraine faces ongoing Russian aggression, with the UK pledging continued military and humanitarian support. The agreement also reflects the strong cross-party and public support in the UK for Ukraine, as seen in the hosting of over 200,000 Ukrainian refugees.

Summary

  • Release of Emily Damari: The Foreign Secretary announced the release of Emily Damari after 471 days in captivity, praising the efforts of campaigners and emphasizing continued efforts to secure releases and aid in Gaza.

  • 100-Year Partnership with Ukraine: The Prime Minister signed a historic 100-year partnership with Ukraine, consisting of a legally binding treaty and a political agreement. This partnership aims to enhance collective security and economic prosperity across nine pillars, including maritime security, air defence, and energy cooperation.

  • Support from UK to Ukraine: The UK has provided over Ā£12.8 billion in support to Ukraine, including Ā£7.8 billion in military assistance. The partnership includes commitments to provide Ā£3 billion annually in military aid for as long as needed and over Ā£2 billion in loans to be repaid using profits from frozen Russian assets.

  • Cross-Party Support: The partnership was praised for its cross-party support in the UK, reflecting national unity and commitment to Ukraineā€™s sovereignty and democracy.

  • Response to Putinā€™s Actions: The UK criticized Putinā€™s war tactics, including indiscriminate strikes on civilians and the use of North Korean troops, and emphasized the need to continue supporting Ukraine to prevent further Russian aggression and maintain global peace.

  • Future Security and NATO Aspirations: The partnership reaffirms support for Ukraineā€™s future NATO membership and discusses security guarantees, maritime cooperation, and efforts to combat foreign interference.

  • Economic and Trade Cooperation: Discussions include increasing economic and trade cooperation, with plans for investment and joint ventures to help rebuild Ukraineā€™s economy and support trade routes in the Black and Azov seas.

  • Sanctions and Russian Assets: The UKā€™s comprehensive sanctions against Russia were highlighted, with ongoing efforts to mobilize frozen Russian assets for Ukraineā€™s rebuilding efforts.

  • Cultural and Community Support: The partnership includes commitments to support Ukrainian refugees in the UK, preserving cultural links and aiding in their integration.

  • Global and European Allies: The UK is working with European and global partners to support Ukraine, with mentions of the need to maintain pressure on Russia and to ensure continued support from the US despite political changes.

Divisiveness

The parliamentary session demonstrated clear agreement across parties regarding support for Ukraine and condemnation of the Russian aggression. While some nuances in perspective were evident, such as differing approaches to funding and long-term strategies for Ukraine, the overall tone was collaborative. Specific examples include queries about U.S. administrationā€™s future stance and approaches to handling corrupted regions in Ukraine, which added measured inquiries rather than division. This harmonious discussion results in a low disagreement rating.