Defending the UK and Allies Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Defending the UK and Allies

Wendy Chamberlain Excerpts
Monday 15th January 2024

(10 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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That is an excellent point. There is absolutely no credible civilian justification for enrichment at the levels that the IAEA has reported in Iran. We are determined that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon, and we are actively considering next steps with our international partners. That means all diplomatic tools, including—as my right hon. Friend said—using the snap-back mechanism if necessary.

Wendy Chamberlain Portrait Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)
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We all stand behind Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, but does the Prime Minister accept that if we believe that the UK’s security is important in relation to Ukraine, we are giving relatively less than other countries such as Germany? Can and should we be doing more?

Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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We should be proud of our record. We have been one of the largest contributors to the effort in Ukraine, but it is also important to recognise that we have consistently been the first country to act, and that has galvanised others. That is an important role that the Ukrainians especially recognise. I went through the capabilities that was true for, but again, crucially, we were the first country out of the 30 that promised to sign a security commitment. As others follow, that will enhance and improve Ukraine’s deterrent against Russia, and that is something we should be proud of.