Ukraine and Russia

Debate between Lord Coaker and Lord Fuller

Tuesday 15th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

We all deplore the loss of life. We are all human. We reflect on the casualties, the killed and the wounded, and the impact psychologically on many people. We do not always talk about the numbers of casualties in Ukraine but the level of suffering is clear, and all of that is important for us to remember. There is only one person responsible for the invasion of Ukraine and, as far as I can see, that person is responsible for the consequences. We all hope that, as soon as possible, we will get a ceasefire that is acceptable to Ukraine and the slaughter and killing will stop.

[Lord Fuller (Con)]

My Lords, last week 18 maritime nations responsible for about a fifth of global shipping tonnage warned that global shipping rules are collapsing. We are an island nation and we depend on ship-borne trade, but the dark fleet threatens a structural risk to trade under IMO rules—of course, the IMO is based here in London. How are our Armed Forces ensuring that ships can maintain free passage in pursuance of the free trade that generates wealth and supports our economy?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

In my response to the noble Earl, Lord Minto, I think I said that, for 21 days in July, ships were escorted by the Royal Navy. We see our ships deployed not only in the channel but elsewhere. We had the carrier in the north Atlantic to ensure that shipping was protected. We have relationships, alliances and agreements with countries across the whole of Europe and beyond. In that way, we ensure that we protect, as much as we can, the merchant shipping upon which we all depend and that we do something about sanctioning the Russian fleet. If the noble Lord’s question is about building more ships, we are.