Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will issue guidance to local authorities on ending twinning links with Russian cities.

Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK and our international partners stand united in condemning the Russian government’s reprehensible actions, which are an egregious violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the European Convention on Human Rights. It is right in this context for local authorities to revisit twinning arrangements with towns, cities and local authorities in Russia. The Government is also reviewing its bilateral engagement with the Russian authorities and we will be issuing guidance on issues relating to Russia and Ukraine as necessary. The Prime Minister has been clear however that Russia is a great country with a rich history and proud people, and that the UK does not believe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in the name of the Russian people.