Starmer Pressed on Security Guarantees and Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine at PMQs
Photo Courtesy: House of Commons via Wikimedia Commons
At the recent Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced multiple inquiries from Members of Parliament on the United Kingdom’s security guarantees and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
On Wednesday, March 5th, the PMQs opened with questions posed to the prime minister regarding Ukraine from the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch. MP Badenoch probed the prime minister on his diplomatic efforts to ensure that the United States “provide a security guarantee” for Ukraine, following U.S. President Trump’s decision to suspend American military aid in the aftermath of his contentious meeting with President Zelensky in February.
The prime minister’s answer highlighted his discussions with President Trump, stating they had spoken “three times… on the telephone because it is vitally important that we work with the US, with Europe, and with Ukraine, and ensure if there is a deal, it has proper security guarantees.”
Badenoch also posed a question on the United States’ suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The prime minister responded by emphasizing his commitment to international unity and that “we must not choose between the US and Europe–we never have historically, and we are not going to do so now.”
Throughout the PMQs, the prime minister also answered questions from other MPs on Ukraine. Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, questioned the PM’s views on “sufficient” security guarantees for Ukraine. The prime minister subsequently replied, stating that the United Kingdom’s “only focus is on a lasting peace in Ukraine.” In addition, MP Chris Law (SNP) inquired about the use of seized Russian assets, and the prime minister replied by noting that, “on the question of assets, we are using the interest on the assets to help fund Ukraine, and we are looking… at whether it is possible to go further.”