Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total administrative cost to the public purse of (a) negotiating and (b) implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union as of 9 January 2026.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May 2025 is an example of this Government delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO.
The work and costs involved in negotiating and implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union are carried out as part of officials' routine duties. As such, the costs specific to negotiating and implementing the SDP cannot be calculated separately.
We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this Government’s NATO First defence policy. Any commitments made will be in support of our defence objectives and will provide value for the UK taxpayer.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent on (a) negotiating and (b) implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union as of 9 January 2026.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May 2025 is an example of this Government delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO.
The work and costs involved in negotiating and implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union are carried out as part of officials' routine duties. As such, the costs specific to negotiating and implementing the SDP cannot be calculated separately.
We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this Government’s NATO First defence policy. Any commitments made will be in support of our defence objectives and will provide value for the UK taxpayer.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, when he expects Ukraine to complete the legal and institutional framework for the presence of the Multinational Force Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Multinational Force for Ukraine will deploy at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, with the Declaration of Intent forming part of the framework to establish the status of international forces deployed as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine.
Alongside the French, we continue to work closely with Ukraine to finalise the overarching governance and legal framework for the deployment of the force. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, what will the name of the new negotiating group as part of the declaration be.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Multinational Force for Ukraine will deploy at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, with the Declaration of Intent forming part of the framework to establish the status of international forces deployed as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine.
Alongside the French, we continue to work closely with Ukraine to finalise the overarching governance and legal framework for the deployment of the force. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether he plans to increase the number of soldiers trained under Operation Interflex to support the development of security and defence forces of Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK has a strong record of delivering tailored training to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and remains committed to adapting its support to meet Ukraine’s evolving needs.
Operation INTERFLEX, the UK-led training programme, has already trained over 62,000 Ukrainian personnel and will continue until at least the end of 2026. Since the inception of Operation INTERFLEX, the programme has continually adapted to reflect the changing requirements of the AFU and the operational environment. This includes regular review of the budget, as funding allocations are adjusted to ensure maximum impact in areas of greatest need. Any future adjustments, including potential increases in numbers trained, will be designed to complement these requirements and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Following the cessation of hostilities, the Multinational Force Ukraine is expected to play a key role in regenerating Ukraine’s land forces, providing logistic, armament and training expertise to support their reconstitution. Any future UK training programmes will be designed to complement these efforts and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether he plans to establish any further training programmes to support the development of the security and defence forces of Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK has a strong record of delivering tailored training to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and remains committed to adapting its support to meet Ukraine’s evolving needs.
Operation INTERFLEX, the UK-led training programme, has already trained over 62,000 Ukrainian personnel and will continue until at least the end of 2026. Since the inception of Operation INTERFLEX, the programme has continually adapted to reflect the changing requirements of the AFU and the operational environment. This includes regular review of the budget, as funding allocations are adjusted to ensure maximum impact in areas of greatest need. Any future adjustments, including potential increases in numbers trained, will be designed to complement these requirements and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Following the cessation of hostilities, the Multinational Force Ukraine is expected to play a key role in regenerating Ukraine’s land forces, providing logistic, armament and training expertise to support their reconstitution. Any future UK training programmes will be designed to complement these efforts and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether he will be increasing the budget of Operation Interflex to support the development of security and defence forces of Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK has a strong record of delivering tailored training to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and remains committed to adapting its support to meet Ukraine’s evolving needs.
Operation INTERFLEX, the UK-led training programme, has already trained over 62,000 Ukrainian personnel and will continue until at least the end of 2026. Since the inception of Operation INTERFLEX, the programme has continually adapted to reflect the changing requirements of the AFU and the operational environment. This includes regular review of the budget, as funding allocations are adjusted to ensure maximum impact in areas of greatest need. Any future adjustments, including potential increases in numbers trained, will be designed to complement these requirements and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Following the cessation of hostilities, the Multinational Force Ukraine is expected to play a key role in regenerating Ukraine’s land forces, providing logistic, armament and training expertise to support their reconstitution. Any future UK training programmes will be designed to complement these efforts and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether his Department has sought legal advice regarding the creation of a legal and institutional framework for the presence of the Multinational Force Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Multinational Force for Ukraine will deploy at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, with the Declaration of Intent forming part of the framework to establish the status of international forces deployed as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine.
Alongside the French, we continue to work closely with Ukraine to finalise the overarching governance and legal framework for the deployment of the force. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether his Department will have involvement in the creation of a legal and institutional framework for the presence of the Multinational Force Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Multinational Force for Ukraine will deploy at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, with the Declaration of Intent forming part of the framework to establish the status of international forces deployed as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine.
Alongside the French, we continue to work closely with Ukraine to finalise the overarching governance and legal framework for the deployment of the force. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, if he will list the (a) privileges and (b) immunities granted to UK service personnel as part of a NATO operation in Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
While any deployment of multinational forces in support of Ukraine, under the Declaration of Intent, would not be part of a NATO operation, the privileges and immunities applicable to the Multinational Force-Ukraine will be those provided for in the NATO Status of Forces Agreement dated 19 June 1951.