Tuesday 22nd October 2024

(1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Healey Portrait John Healey
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I have just given the House the assessment of the involvement and the extent, at present, of the involvement of North Korean troops.

Blair McDougall Portrait Blair McDougall (East Renfrewshire) (Lab)
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Given the potential of North Korean boots on the ground joining Iranian drones in the air above Ukraine, it seems clear that the calculus that Russia is operating to is very different from that of the western alliance. Does the Secretary of State agree that there is a risk that, when the fear of escalation is one-sided, that itself becomes escalatory? Therefore, while welcoming the additional support that he has announced today, I wonder whether he will join me in saying that it is time for other countries to follow the lead that the UK has shown today.

John Healey Portrait John Healey
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Wherever there are signs of the breaching of UN resolutions and sanctions or of a dangerous escalation in support of Russia, we will act. We have acted before. My hon. Friend is right to point to the growing alliance between Russia and Iran and between Russia and North Korea.