Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
3
Recommendation
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
The 1 May deadline, by when Russia said it would pull back additional troops exercising on the border with Ukraine, has passed; the UK, working with NATO allies and other OSCE Member states, should insist Russia withdraws all its additional troops and equipment from the border with Ukraine and from …
Read more
The 1 May deadline, by when Russia said it would pull back additional troops exercising on the border with Ukraine, has passed; the UK, working with NATO allies and other OSCE Member states, should insist Russia withdraws all its additional troops and equipment from the border with Ukraine and from the Crimea. There are legitimate concerns about the underlying nature of Russia’s actions. (Paragraph 16) Russia’s motivation
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government notes the committee's recommendation, expressing continued concern that Russia has not fully withdrawn its troops and equipment, and reiterating that its behavior is unacceptable.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
4
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
The large scale of the Russian military build-up is unusual for a normal exercise, but our evidence suggests that based on where troops are positioned in Crimea, it is unlikely to be a preparation for a full-scale Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine.
Government response AI summary
The Government notes the Committee's view on the Russian military build-up, acknowledging it was unusual and escalatory, and commits to carefully monitoring the situation and holding Russia accountable.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
5
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
Russia has a right to deploy troops on its own territory but also has a duty to regional security and stability to be transparent about military exercises and military activity close to her borders, as set out in Section 1 of the OSCE’s Helsinki Final Act on exchange of military …
Read more
Russia has a right to deploy troops on its own territory but also has a duty to regional security and stability to be transparent about military exercises and military activity close to her borders, as set out in Section 1 of the OSCE’s Helsinki Final Act on exchange of military information on exercises.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's statement regarding Russia's obligations for transparency in military activities and expresses disappointment that Russia is not upholding these commitments. The government reaffirms its call for Russia to adhere to OSCE principles.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
7
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
Russia has several probable motives for escalating tensions on the border with Ukraine, driven by regional insecurities and President Putin’s willingness to engage in power politics. Russia is using its military for coercive diplomacy, to pressure the Ukrainian Government to make concessions in the political settlements for the Donbas and …
Read more
Russia has several probable motives for escalating tensions on the border with Ukraine, driven by regional insecurities and President Putin’s willingness to engage in power politics. Russia is using its military for coercive diplomacy, to pressure the Ukrainian Government to make concessions in the political settlements for the Donbas and to test Western allies’ resolve to come to Ukraine’s aid. (Paragraph 48) 26 Russia and Ukraine border tensions The international response
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government notes the Committee’s view on Russia's motives and reaffirms the UK's steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as outlined in the Integrated review and Defence Command paper.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
8
Recommendation
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
Russia must honour its commitments under the Vienna Document as an OSCE participating State and fully co-operate in OSCE meetings to support confidence and security-building measures and de-escalate conflict. The UK should, with its Allies, use the OSCE mechanisms in the Helsinki Final Act to hold Russia to account, and …
Read more
Russia must honour its commitments under the Vienna Document as an OSCE participating State and fully co-operate in OSCE meetings to support confidence and security-building measures and de-escalate conflict. The UK should, with its Allies, use the OSCE mechanisms in the Helsinki Final Act to hold Russia to account, and if necessary, bring the dispute before the OSCE’s Court of Conciliation and Arbitration.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agrees that Russia must honour its commitments under the Vienna Document and continues to call on Russia to use OSCE processes. However, it does not commit to the specific UK actions recommended, such as using OSCE mechanisms to hold Russia to account or …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
10
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
In contrast to Georgia’s response in 2008 to send in troops to counter Russian aggression, Ukraine has demonstrated restraint and sought to resolve the escalating situation through political and diplomatic channels.
Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the Committee's observation, commending Ukraine's restraint and diplomatic efforts, and noting its full support for Ukraine's actions to de-escalate the situation.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
17
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
We believe the UK Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis, demonstrates a commitment to the overarching themes for Global Britain set out above in the Integrated Review and the Defence Command paper. This can be evidenced in Russia and Ukraine border tensions 27 UK military aid, intelligence sharing, vocal political …
Read more
We believe the UK Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis, demonstrates a commitment to the overarching themes for Global Britain set out above in the Integrated Review and the Defence Command paper. This can be evidenced in Russia and Ukraine border tensions 27 UK military aid, intelligence sharing, vocal political and diplomatic support for Ukraine, and the carrier strike deployment, as part of a co-ordinated approach alongside NATO allies.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the committee's view that its response to the Ukraine crisis demonstrates commitment to Global Britain themes, detailing its existing commitments and ongoing diplomatic support for Ukraine.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
18
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
However, Britain’s global ambitions now include a tilt to the Indo-Pacific, with the Government promising to deepen engagement by our armed forces and establish a greater and more persistent presence there as well.
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's conclusion, affirming that its enhanced focus on the Indo-Pacific is a positive effort aligned with shifting global dynamics, aiming to leverage opportunities and manage risks.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
19
Recommendation
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
The Integrated Review identifies Russia as “the most acute direct threat to the UK”. The UK Government should clarify how its global ambitions, in particular its proposed tilt to the Indo-Pacific, will be balanced with deterring the threat from Russia to UK security in the Euro-Atlantic region. (Paragraph 97) Lessons …
Read more
The Integrated Review identifies Russia as “the most acute direct threat to the UK”. The UK Government should clarify how its global ambitions, in particular its proposed tilt to the Indo-Pacific, will be balanced with deterring the threat from Russia to UK security in the Euro-Atlantic region. (Paragraph 97) Lessons learnt
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states it is not deprioritising any regions and remains committed to both Euro-Atlantic security and Indo-Pacific engagement. It asserts that defence policy and planning mechanisms are designed to preclude overstretch, but does not offer specific clarification on how the balance will be achieved.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
20
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
We commend the UK Government for their role in intelligence sharing and monitoring the situation in the Donbas and Crimea.
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the Committee's commendation for its role in intelligence sharing and monitoring, stating it will continue these efforts with allies to maintain understanding and avoid miscalculation.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
21
Conclusion
First Report - Russia and Ukraine borde…
Acknowledged
The International community has reacted quickly and united behind a clear message to Russia that the world is watching and there will be consequences for illegal military action. Lessons have been learnt from the Georgia crisis in 2008 and the Ukraine crisis in 2014, primarily that the international response must …
Read more
The International community has reacted quickly and united behind a clear message to Russia that the world is watching and there will be consequences for illegal military action. Lessons have been learnt from the Georgia crisis in 2008 and the Ukraine crisis in 2014, primarily that the international response must be decisive and unanimous in the face of Russian aggression.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion, noting Russia's pattern of aggression, and states it will continue to work with allies to learn from collective experiences and maintain a robust international response.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence