Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Russia about the future of the NATO–Russia Council.

The UK fully supports NATO's offer of a NATO-Russia Council first made in February 2020, regrets that Russia is currently choosing not to accept it and encourages Russia to do so. All Allies support a dual-track approach to Russia of strengthened deterrence and defence, alongside dialogue. This was most recently affirmed by Allied Leaders when they met in Brussels for the June 2021 NATO Summit. HMG continues to support NATO's openness to periodic, focused and meaningful dialogue with Russia, but there can be no return to business as usual until Russia ceases its aggressive actions and returns to compliance with its obligations under international law. At any NATO-Russia Council, discussion of Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea should be the first item on the agenda.