Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Russia regarding the UK's and NATO's response to the Russian military build-up near Ukraine's borders and to communicate the danger of further escalation.

We are deeply concerned by the pattern of Russian military build-ups on the borders of Ukraine and in illegally-annexed Crimea, and we are monitoring the situation closely. We have been clear with Russia that any military incursion into Ukraine would be a strategic mistake and result in severe economic and diplomatic consequences.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Putin on 25 October and again on 13 December. He reaffirmed the UK's support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and urged the Russian government to de-escalate the situation. The Foreign Secretary met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on 2 December and delivered these same messages.

British Embassy Moscow have also raised our concerns with the Russian authorities, most recently on 9 December.