MP: defensive support must be calibrated not to escalate war
Today in the House of Commons, the Defence Secretary gave a Statement regarding UK support to Ukraine and highlighted further military support to help Ukrainian forces. John pressed the Government on the issue of Polish jets being donated to Ukraine.
John asked:
“In commending the Government for its robust response to the invasion of Ukraine, and notwithstanding our continuing support to that country and Article 5 commitment to NATO, the Defence Secretary has been right to rule out direct military intervention including a no-fly zone. With that in mind, he knows it is a difficult balance to ensure that defensive support is calibrated not to escalate matters to a strategic level. What assurances can he give that the talks regarding the donation of Polish jets achieves that balance given a wider conflict will be in no-one’s interests, least of all the citizens of Ukraine?”
In response, the Defence Secretary [The Rt. Hon. Ben Wallace MP] suggested John had spoken wise words but, given the proximity of Poland to the conflict, on balance he would support our NATO ally in its decision.
John said afterwards:
“We all support our Article 5 commitment to NATO, but we have to be careful not to escalate the conflict or be seen to give Putin the pretext for doing so. A wider war would be in no-one’s interest.”
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