Ukraine: UK Policy

Lord Mott Excerpts

Monday 17th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Mott (Con)]

My Lords, I refer the House to my support for the charity Ukrainian Action, which provides emergency support, humanitarian aid, recovery and reconstruction. It has recently launched a programme to help injured servicemen and women to rehabilitate.

However, reconstruction is not merely about rebuilding infrastructure; it is about restoring hope, dignity and opportunity to a nation scarred by conflict, and it is about the people of Ukraine. Ukraine’s recovery must be comprehensive, addressing not only physical rebuilding but economic revitalisation and social cohesion. That requires international collaboration, innovative funding mechanisms and a commitment to ensuring that the rebuilding process is inclusive and transparent. The UK, alongside its allies, must play a leading role in that effort, offering expertise, resources and unwavering solidarity. It requires a guarantee on Ukraine’s security.

The Prime Minister is to be congratulated on his leadership in his work so far, as is the Minister. I also thank my noble friend Lord Blencathra for his wisdom in preparing for this speech, and the work carried out so far by the Council of Europe.

Democracy, as we know, is the cornerstone of a free and just society. It is fragile yet resilient, and must be nurtured with care. As Ukraine moves towards peace, we must ensure that its democratic processes are robust, secure and reflective of the will of its people. Ukraine needs time to recover, with so many potential voters serving on the front lines or living abroad as refugees. That means supporting civic participation at all levels, safeguarding against misinformation and cyber threats, and ensuring that electoral laws and practices meet the highest possible standards.

Democracy cannot be rushed. It must be built on a foundation of stability and trust. As policy is updated at pace, I wonder if the Government should consider building on the UK-Ukrainian 100-year partnership agreement by using Article 11 of the treaty to build civic participation and democracy into it, perhaps by hosting a conference on democracy. I hope the Minister may be able to answer that.

I want to see peace urgently, but how Ukraine moves forward as a democratic country is going to be fundamental to its future and to Europe. Let us reaffirm our commitment to standing with Ukraine, not just in its time of need but in its journey toward a brighter, democratic future.