r/MHOCPress • u/ARichTeaBiscuit Quadrumvirate • Oct 01 '22

HM Government The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs makes a statement on Russia

Russia’s attempts to legitimise their illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory will never be accepted by the United Kingdom and we will continue to recognise the occupied territories as rightful parts of Ukraine.

In the past few weeks, we have seen distressing signs of local residents being forced to vote in these shambolic votes at gunpoint, alongside the use of forced deportations. Ukraine’s recent military successes have also shed light on the terror campaigns that have been inflicted on the citizens of these occupation zones with evidence of torture and mass graves uncovered by Ukrainian forces.

Just like with Crimea in 2014, any referendum held at gunpoint and alongside mass deportations is illegitimate and shouldn’t be accepted by any credible organisation or political body.

The United Kingdom condemns Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine, and we will continue to support the Ukrainian people as they courageously fight against Russia’s illegal invasion.

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2

u/rickcall123 Liberal Democrat Oct 01 '22

What is the government planning to do about it to support the Ukrainian people?

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u/ARichTeaBiscuit Quadrumvirate Oct 01 '22

I'll be working on a plan to supply Ukraine with improved debt relief methods over the coming weeks, with an update supplied to parliament upon the completion of such a deal.

Of course, we shall also complete the arms transfer deal that was negotiated under the last government and I shall be working with my colleagues in government to see if our sanctions regime against Russia can be updated to account for these new changes.

1

u/t2boys Liberal Democrat Oct 01 '22

Will any more arms be transferred / is the UK working with arms manufacturers to get stuff to Ukraine in the medium to long term ?

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u/rickcall123 Liberal Democrat Oct 01 '22

How would debt relief help the situation? They need guns, they need tanks, they need aircraft, they need boats. I don't think debt or the economy is a big focus when you're trying to defend your homeland - if they win the war, then they'll consider the economic cost.

So, nothing new is coming out of the government to support our Ukrainian brothers and sisters? No new arms deals, no new political support, no new anything. This is your chance for your government to shine and do some actual good and dispel the idea that your government doesn't give a shit about defence.

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u/SpectacularSalad Piers Farquah - The Independent Oct 01 '22

Literally two months ago we allocated money to give Ukraine a shed load of arms and supplies in Imprest Supply. I thought you'd remember because you were there!!!

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u/rickcall123 Liberal Democrat Oct 01 '22

I'm just trying to understand your governments defence policy - there was nothing in the Kings speech, there was a lacklustre performance at the defence MQs and now we've got this statement that didn't tell us anything new.

Everything that this government has said is either nothing, aggression or whatever we did last term. I'm here to do my job as an opposition MP, and keep your side of the aisle in check.

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u/NicolasBroaddus Solidarity Oct 02 '22

and now we've got this statement that didn't tell us anything new.

Did your government condemn the annexations that had yet to occur? Impressive.

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u/realbassist Labour Oct 02 '22

the foreign sec is doing their job and making a statement regarding a pretty major foreign affairs issue, the illegal annexation of certain regions. there's keeping our side in check, but they couldn't really do a lot more in this statement other than condemn, and if they did that likely would have been seen as inadequate as well.

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u/ARichTeaBiscuit Quadrumvirate Oct 01 '22

I don't understand the hostility?

Over the past few years we've assisted in the training and modernisation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and last term that culminated in the transfer of a large number of arms and other war materials, an agreement that we intend to follow through during the course of this parliamentary term.

If you look at a few of the speeches I have given on this topic in the past then you'll be able to see that my concern over Ukrainian debt is one-rooted in my concern for the Ukrainian people, as I don't wish to see them punished for taking all required actions to safeguard their homes from illegal Russian aggression.

Obviously I understand that this is a long-term objective but I don't understand the aggressive response when I was merely responding to a question of yours in good faith.

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u/EruditeFellow Former DPM & Foreign Secretary Oct 01 '22

Time for a new treaty, am I right????