Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Burns Excerpts

Tuesday 8th April 2014 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) (Lab)]

1. What recent reports he has received on the situation in Ukraine.

[Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con)]

8. What recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Ukraine.

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

12. What recent assessment he has made of threats to the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Burns]

Following the praise of the UK Independence party on Russian-controlled television yesterday, will my right hon. Friend remind the House of the guiding principles of British foreign policy towards Ukraine, namely that Ukraine has a democratic right to self-determination and that sending in the tanks and holding a sham referendum in the Crimea under the shadow of the Kalashnikov is not only aggression but illegal in international law and a threat to the security of the world?

[Mr Hague]

My right hon. Friend makes an important point. The guiding principles for us are that the development of democratic institutions in Ukraine and a rules-based international system are in the national interest of the United Kingdom. For any parties or leaders in Britain to feed a Russian propaganda machine after the invasion of a neighbouring country is not a responsible position to take, particularly for anyone who professes to believe in the independence and sovereignty of nations.