Ukraine: Reparation
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Goudie
Baroness Goudie
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to earmark a dedicated proportion of any future UK financial assistance, loans, or aid packages to Ukraine to finance reparation.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
We remain committed to the principle that Russia should pay for the damage that it has caused. We will continue to co-ordinate with international partners to ensure that Ukraine gets the funding it needs. In December 2025, the United Kingdom signed the convention to establish an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission will assess claims submitted under the register of damage to determine future compensation amounts to be repaid by Russia.
Baroness Goudie (Lab)
My Lords, the United Kingdom’s support package for Ukraine must include financial reparation for survivors of human rights abuses. Frozen Russian assets must be utilised to support this objective. The Government must continue to work with the G7 and the European Union. The Ukraine Facility provides the financing for Ukraine, upon satisfactory fulfilment of the conditions laid down in the Ukraine plan 2024-27. This sets up both the investment and the reform agenda for Ukraine, including the measures to strengthen the rule of law. Assistance must be linked to policy conditions, including assistance for the financing of compensation as a form of reparation to individuals who have suffered damage from the illegal actions of Russia.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
I agree with my noble friend, and that is why the register and the commission are vital parts of the role the UK is playing to support Ukraine.
Syria
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Goudie(1 year ago)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
On the issue of reopening the embassy, which closed I think in 2012, that is quite difficult. I do not have an update on that for the House today. The noble Lord will appreciate that these are very early days. As he would expect, we keep these things under review. On Israel, it would be right for what we hope will be the inclusive, politically diverse new Government in Syria to make those decisions when they are elected. It is right that we allow them time for that process to complete and for a new, fully representative Government in Syria to make their position known on behalf of the Syrian people when it comes to those issues.
Baroness Goudie (Lab)
My Lords, further to the Minister saying that the Government are consulting community workers and organisations, are they insisting that women make up 50% of those groups? At the last peace talks in Ukraine, there were no women at all, and we have made an undertaking here that women have to be part of all the peace talks. I do not believe that women would give away some of the intellectual property of their country so easily if they had any say in this, so it is important. Also, women will talk about investment, education, schooling and other issues that would never otherwise be discussed at the peace table—just closing down the conflict. We want to close it down, but we have to do it in the right way so that that country can continue, after all that has happened, to become a country of its own, where children will go into further education and its GDP will be much improved. It cannot continue in this way.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
We know now, from many contexts in recent history, how vital it is that women are included and central to these processes. My noble friend has made a very strong case. It is important that women have a say and are able to lead in the future rebuilding of their country.