Meeting of the Parliament 05 March 2025
It is a pleasure to speak in the debate, and I am grateful to Colin Beattie for lodging the motion and for his speech. In addition, it is always a pleasure to follow Kenneth Gibson.
The resilience, courage and determination of the Ukrainian people in the face of an unprovoked invasion by Russia have inspired the free world. Three years on, we must ask what we have learned from the lessons of history, and whether we have understood what is at stake. This war is about not just Ukraine but the principles that underpin peace and security in Europe.
We must also acknowledge the harsh truth: the war is, in part, the result of the west’s inaction over Russian aggression in Georgia, in Syria and in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Each failure to act decisively only emboldened Vladimir Putin further, and we cannot afford to repeat those mistakes now. If we fail to act decisively and stand united, we send a dangerous message: that the international order can be torn apart by brute force. That is a message that we simply cannot afford to send. The cost of inaction now is far greater than the cost of standing firm.
That is why Britain has been unwavering in its support for Ukraine. That is not just in solidarity—clearly, it is in our direct national interest. A Europe where Russian aggression is left unchecked is a Europe that is less safe for Britain. That is why we must never waver, and why we must continue to provide Ukraine with the military, economic and diplomatic support that it needs to win.
Vladimir Putin’s regime has shown total disregard for its treaty obligations, violated international law and committed atrocities and war crimes in Ukraine. Only strength—of purpose and of arms—will maintain any peace that is worth having.
I commend the leadership of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, in reaffirming our unwavering commitment to Ukraine. It is only right that Britain, as the last remaining faithful signatory of the Budapest memorandum, leads by example. I therefore welcome the increase in defence expenditure that has been announced, but it must be increased further. NATO remains the bedrock of our security, and we must ensure that we, in Europe, have the capabilities to deter—and, if necessary, defeat—any threat to our freedom.
Yet, I cannot, and will not, ignore the muddled thinking of those in the chamber who speak in praise of Ukraine and even call for greater defence spending while decrying the very existence of our armed forces and of the very industries and workers on whom we rely to produce the materiel of war. If we are serious about our security, we must be serious about supporting the people and businesses that equip our armed forces.
Just last week, at the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, we heard from the consul general for Ukraine in Edinburgh, who expressed how deeply grateful the Ukrainians in Scotland have been for all that has been done to make them feel welcome. However, he also reminded us of something crucial: how much those Ukrainians in Scotland long to return home.
The Ukrainian people fight not just for their country but for the very principles that keep us all safe. If we do not stand with Ukraine today, we may find ourselves standing alone tomorrow.
17:28