The UK must do more to support Ukraine as “combat-ready” Russian troops gather on its borders, the chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee says.
Tobias Ellwood said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “taking full advantage of a weakened West”.
“We are looking risk-adverse and somewhat timid… I suspect an invasion is now imminent,” he told the BBC.
He warned that Mr Putin was “redrawing the map of eastern Europe” and”it’s so important that we step forward.”
Western and Ukrainian intelligence services have suggested an invasion or incursion could happen some time in early 2022, after Russian forces amassed on the border.
Russia has denied it is planning an invasion, but Mr Putin issued demands to the West which he says concern Russia’s security, including that Ukraine be stopped from joining Nato.
He also wants Nato to abandon military exercises and stop sending weapons to eastern Europe, seeing this as a direct threat to Russia’s security.
Mr Ellwood said he was “really pleased” that the UK had recently agreed to supply Ukraine with defensive weapons and extra troops for training, albeit “late in the day” – and that France and Spain were following Britain’s example.
But he said the US “was looking a little bit timid”, suggesting the US administration was caught up with domestic issues, with foreign policy focused on Taiwan and China.
“Politicians and leaders need to make the case [for Ukraine’s defence],” said Mr Ellwood. “From where I sit the world is getting more dangerous, not less.
“We need to explain it to the British people, we need to explain it to the American people, the consequences… of allowing Russia to advance and change the borders in eastern Europe.
“There are ripple effects, that effect international security and, by extension, prosperity as well.”
His views were backed by Labour leader Keir Starmer who tweeted on Saturday: “To protect our values and our security we must be steadfast in our opposition to Russian aggression. We must stand with our Ukrainian allies.”
On Friday, Downing Street said the Russian government will be “punished” if it “crosses the line” on Ukraine, as the US and Russia held urgent talks in Geneva in a bid to avert further conflict on Ukraine’s border.
The PM’s deputy official spokesman said “any destabilising action” by Russia would be a strategic mistake with significant consequences.
Mr Ellwood said it was important to look at “the wider picture” as far as Mr Putin’s approach was concerned: “He wants a legacy, he wants to be seen as the most powerful state in Europe.”
He suggested the Russian president had “boxed himself into a corner” with some 100,000 Russian troops currently amassed on the border “but he also recognises that he will never again be as strong as this.”
“This is more than just about Ukraine, this is about Putin wanting to establish, absolutely, a sphere of influence way beyond Ukraine itself.”
“He certainly doesn’t want the EU or Nato rubbing up against the Russian Empire; he needs that buffer zone.”
“Nato needs to develop a fresh sense of purpose,” he cautioned.
Nato’s 30 members – including the UK, US and several former Soviet Union states which share a border with Russia – agree that an armed attack against one is an attack against them all, and they will come to the aid of one another.
Dozens of British troops have been in Ukraine since 2015 to help train their armed forces, and the UK has also made a commitment to help rebuild Ukraine’s navy following Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014.
“The only way forward is for Russia to deescalate and engage in meaningful discussions,” a Downing Street spokesman said on Friday.
Speaking from trade talks in Sydney, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Mr Putin must “desist and step back from Ukraine before he makes a massive strategic mistake”, she said.
What does Putin want?
Russia’s president has long claimed that the US broke a guarantee it made in 1990 that Nato would not expand further east. “They simply deceived us!” he said at a news conference last month.
Interpretations differ over what exactly was promised to the then-Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. But it is clear that Mr Putin believes the guarantee was made.
Since then, several central and eastern European countries, which used to be part of the Soviet Union or its sphere of influence, have joined Nato. Four of them – Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – have borders with Russia.
Russia argues that this expansion, and the presence of Nato troops and military equipment near its borders, is a direct threat to its security.
The country seized and annexed the Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine in 2014 after Ukrainians overthrew their pro-Russian president. Ever since, Ukraine’s military has been locked in a war with Russian-backed rebels in areas of the east near Russia’s borders.
There are fears that the conflict, which has claimed 14,000 lives and caused at least two million people to flee their homes, may reignite and that Russia’s military will cross the border.
Maybe the defence chair could have a word with the Tory party about not accepting donations from the Russians?
Just a thought.
It’s really impressive that UK made decision to support Ukraine quickly and already sent missles and trainers.
In case like this, you clearly see who is trustworthy and really believe in human rights.
Send in boots on the ground like Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. Russia even has real WMDs (Tony Blair) so no excuses needed.
Why is no one talking about freezing (or even seizing) Russian financial assesses held by the City of London banks or in British Overseas Territories?
Edit: as pointed out, it’s the city of London not Westminster
The missiles we have sent Ukraine (while the EU dithered) are awesome and have definitely changed the calculation for the Russians.
When someone hiding in a bush can destroy a main battle tank in 20 seconds, and there’s over 1000 of them in the country, you definitely think twice.
> “This is more than just about Ukraine, this is about Putin wanting to establish, absolutely, a sphere of influence way beyond Ukraine itself.”
oh aye?
> “He certainly doesn’t want the EU or Nato rubbing up against the Russian Empire; he needs that buffer zone.”
Take the absurd ‘Empire’ out of this sentence and it’s probably accurate. But we knew all this before the decision to peel off Ukraine and absorb it into the West..
UK must upgrade its military. Given that the world’s leaders are geriatrics hell-bent on taking the rest of the humanity into the grave we need stronger military.
Before giving permission to the government for supporting any kind of military action, support and funding, please remember two recent, very important LIEs / episodes in history in which the UK (and of course, US) was caught up in:
(1) Nayirah Testomony – led to the First Gulf War
(2) “Weapons of Mass Destruction” – led to the Second Gulf War
These LIEs by the UK government and reinforced / carpet-bombed into the public subconscious by the mainstream media has happened, will happen and IS HAPPENING, now.
Should it? Why? Why should I, personally, care if the Russians are in Donetsk or even Kiev?
If we are getting involved in the diplomatic negotiations may I be the first to say “Sorry Poland”
11 comments
Full article:
The UK must do more to support Ukraine as “combat-ready” Russian troops gather on its borders, the chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee says.
Tobias Ellwood said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “taking full advantage of a weakened West”.
“We are looking risk-adverse and somewhat timid… I suspect an invasion is now imminent,” he told the BBC.
He warned that Mr Putin was “redrawing the map of eastern Europe” and”it’s so important that we step forward.”
Western and Ukrainian intelligence services have suggested an invasion or incursion could happen some time in early 2022, after Russian forces amassed on the border.
Russia has denied it is planning an invasion, but Mr Putin issued demands to the West which he says concern Russia’s security, including that Ukraine be stopped from joining Nato.
He also wants Nato to abandon military exercises and stop sending weapons to eastern Europe, seeing this as a direct threat to Russia’s security.
Mr Ellwood said he was “really pleased” that the UK had recently agreed to supply Ukraine with defensive weapons and extra troops for training, albeit “late in the day” – and that France and Spain were following Britain’s example.
But he said the US “was looking a little bit timid”, suggesting the US administration was caught up with domestic issues, with foreign policy focused on Taiwan and China.
“Politicians and leaders need to make the case [for Ukraine’s defence],” said Mr Ellwood. “From where I sit the world is getting more dangerous, not less.
“We need to explain it to the British people, we need to explain it to the American people, the consequences… of allowing Russia to advance and change the borders in eastern Europe.
“There are ripple effects, that effect international security and, by extension, prosperity as well.”
His views were backed by Labour leader Keir Starmer who tweeted on Saturday: “To protect our values and our security we must be steadfast in our opposition to Russian aggression. We must stand with our Ukrainian allies.”
On Friday, Downing Street said the Russian government will be “punished” if it “crosses the line” on Ukraine, as the US and Russia held urgent talks in Geneva in a bid to avert further conflict on Ukraine’s border.
The PM’s deputy official spokesman said “any destabilising action” by Russia would be a strategic mistake with significant consequences.
Mr Ellwood said it was important to look at “the wider picture” as far as Mr Putin’s approach was concerned: “He wants a legacy, he wants to be seen as the most powerful state in Europe.”
He suggested the Russian president had “boxed himself into a corner” with some 100,000 Russian troops currently amassed on the border “but he also recognises that he will never again be as strong as this.”
“This is more than just about Ukraine, this is about Putin wanting to establish, absolutely, a sphere of influence way beyond Ukraine itself.”
“He certainly doesn’t want the EU or Nato rubbing up against the Russian Empire; he needs that buffer zone.”
“Nato needs to develop a fresh sense of purpose,” he cautioned.
Nato’s 30 members – including the UK, US and several former Soviet Union states which share a border with Russia – agree that an armed attack against one is an attack against them all, and they will come to the aid of one another.
Dozens of British troops have been in Ukraine since 2015 to help train their armed forces, and the UK has also made a commitment to help rebuild Ukraine’s navy following Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014.
“The only way forward is for Russia to deescalate and engage in meaningful discussions,” a Downing Street spokesman said on Friday.
Speaking from trade talks in Sydney, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Mr Putin must “desist and step back from Ukraine before he makes a massive strategic mistake”, she said.
What does Putin want?
Russia’s president has long claimed that the US broke a guarantee it made in 1990 that Nato would not expand further east. “They simply deceived us!” he said at a news conference last month.
Interpretations differ over what exactly was promised to the then-Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. But it is clear that Mr Putin believes the guarantee was made.
Since then, several central and eastern European countries, which used to be part of the Soviet Union or its sphere of influence, have joined Nato. Four of them – Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – have borders with Russia.
Russia argues that this expansion, and the presence of Nato troops and military equipment near its borders, is a direct threat to its security.
The country seized and annexed the Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine in 2014 after Ukrainians overthrew their pro-Russian president. Ever since, Ukraine’s military has been locked in a war with Russian-backed rebels in areas of the east near Russia’s borders.
There are fears that the conflict, which has claimed 14,000 lives and caused at least two million people to flee their homes, may reignite and that Russia’s military will cross the border.
Maybe the defence chair could have a word with the Tory party about not accepting donations from the Russians?
Just a thought.
It’s really impressive that UK made decision to support Ukraine quickly and already sent missles and trainers.
In case like this, you clearly see who is trustworthy and really believe in human rights.
Send in boots on the ground like Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. Russia even has real WMDs (Tony Blair) so no excuses needed.
Why is no one talking about freezing (or even seizing) Russian financial assesses held by the City of London banks or in British Overseas Territories?
Edit: as pointed out, it’s the city of London not Westminster
The missiles we have sent Ukraine (while the EU dithered) are awesome and have definitely changed the calculation for the Russians.
When someone hiding in a bush can destroy a main battle tank in 20 seconds, and there’s over 1000 of them in the country, you definitely think twice.
> “This is more than just about Ukraine, this is about Putin wanting to establish, absolutely, a sphere of influence way beyond Ukraine itself.”
oh aye?
> “He certainly doesn’t want the EU or Nato rubbing up against the Russian Empire; he needs that buffer zone.”
Take the absurd ‘Empire’ out of this sentence and it’s probably accurate. But we knew all this before the decision to peel off Ukraine and absorb it into the West..
UK must upgrade its military. Given that the world’s leaders are geriatrics hell-bent on taking the rest of the humanity into the grave we need stronger military.
Before giving permission to the government for supporting any kind of military action, support and funding, please remember two recent, very important LIEs / episodes in history in which the UK (and of course, US) was caught up in:
(1) Nayirah Testomony – led to the First Gulf War
(2) “Weapons of Mass Destruction” – led to the Second Gulf War
These LIEs by the UK government and reinforced / carpet-bombed into the public subconscious by the mainstream media has happened, will happen and IS HAPPENING, now.
Should it? Why? Why should I, personally, care if the Russians are in Donetsk or even Kiev?
If we are getting involved in the diplomatic negotiations may I be the first to say “Sorry Poland”