Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 01 Dec 2022
Ukraine: Tactical Nuclear Weapons
"My Lords, I congratulate the noble and right reverend Lord on securing this debate. I will probably disappoint most noble Lords, because I am much nearer to the noble Lords, Lord Skidelsky and Lord Campbell-Savours, than to many of the things that have been said this afternoon. I have not …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 16 Nov 2022
Russia in Georgia
"My Lords, I served for six years on the Venice Commission, where we had many problems with Georgia. Will the Minister use all his influence to encourage the Georgian parties to work together? Part of the fundamental problem in Georgia has been the inability of the political parties within its …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 21 Jul 2022
Food Insecurity in Developing Countries due to Blockade of Ukrainian Ports
"My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for initiating this debate. He is always well worth listening to and has deep concern for not only this issue but many others that I also have concern for.
I welcome the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Written Question
Thursday 14th July 2022
Asked by:
Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 June (HL854), whether they will now answer the question put, namely, what assessment they have made of the report by Lord Skidelsky Economic Sanctions: A Weapon out of Control, published in April; and in particular, what assessment they have made of the conclusion that "They [sanctions] should come into play only after diplomacy has been exhausted, never as an alternative to it. This has not been the case in the present conflict".
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK uses sanctions as part of a broader political strategy, a comprehensive approach encompassing the full range of diplomatic actions. Russia's assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state that threatens global security. There can be no negotiated settlement which replicates the Minsk Agreement, which came at the expense of Ukraine's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Prior to Russia's further invasion, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and the Secretary of State for Defence visited Moscow and the Prime Minister spoke to Putin. However, Putin launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and has made clear he will not stop at Ukraine in his ambitions, but go further by targeting other sovereign nations. In the face of rising aggression we must be assertive in use of our economic levers such as sanctions, and the UK will continue ratcheting up economic pressure in order to cripple Putin's war machine.
Written Question
Monday 27th June 2022
Asked by:
Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Lord Skidelsky Economic Sanctions: A Weapon out of Control, published in April.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government uses our sanctions regimes as part of an integrated approach to promote our values and interests, and to combat state threats, terrorism, cyber-attacks, and the use and proliferation of chemical weapons. The UK considers the impact and effectiveness of sanctions, and works with our international partners to ensure sanctions regimes support our objectives and minimise unintended impacts.
In lockstep with our allies, we have announced the strongest set of economic sanctions ever imposed against a major economy in response to Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, cutting off funding for Putin's war machine. The UK's sanctions have been strategically coordinated with international allies to impose a severe cost. Sanctions imposed by the UK and its international partners are having deep and damaging consequences for Putin's ability to wage war, with around £275 billion - up to 60% of Russian foreign currency reserves - currently frozen.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 16 Jun 2022
Ukraine
"My Lords, I will follow up what the noble Lord, Lord Cromwell, said. If we do not dial down this conflict, it could get completely out of hand and lead to an all-out war, which of course we could not win. I urge the Minister to try to get a …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 09 Jun 2022
Ukraine: Defence Relationships
"My Lords, in view of some of the things I am going to say, I would like to make it clear from the very beginning that I do condemn the Russian invasion. I think it was foolish and misplaced and, whatever else may be said, Putin clearly did not know …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 24 May 2022
Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill [HL]
"My Lords, I welcome this Bill from the Minister. She has been a Minister now for a good period and has demonstrated a great sensitivity to the problems of people who are dealt with by her department.
Much mention has been made of charities, but the Minister may recall that …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 30 Mar 2022
Ukraine
"My Lords—..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 30 Mar 2022
Ukraine
"My Lords—..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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