NATO must pledge long-term vow of support for Ukraine, urges Rishi Sunak

04 July 2023 , 15:33

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Rishi Sunak with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

NATO should issue a "multilateral declaration of support for Ukraine into the long term", Rishi Sunak demanded today.

The Prime Minister said the move would be “beneficial” and "send a strong signal" to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "his efforts are in vain".

“There are various different shapes and forms that can take, those conversations are happening,” he said.

“The purpose of that declaration - assuming it can be something that gathers broad support - is to demonstrate that support for Ukraine will be in place for the long term.”

Kremlin tyrant Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine in February last year, sparking a full-scale war.

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NATO support for Ukraine would 'send a strong signal' to Russian President Vladimir Putin (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Appearing in front of the Commons Liaison Committee of senior MPs a week before NATO leaders meet in Lithuania, Mr Sunak said the Government wanted Ukraine inside the alliance.

But he stressed the coalition is a "consensus organisation".

"I've said previously... that Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO,” said Mr Sunak.”

“But the alliance works by consensus so we will have to work together with our allies.”
He hopes the meeting of leaders from the 31-nation alliance in the capital Vilnius will be a show of strength against Putin.

“Ultimately he should recognise that we, the coalition of the willing who are defending principles of territorial integrity and the UN Charter, are not going to go away and will continue to give Ukraine the support it needs, and the means to defend itself against current and future aggression.”

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Ben Glaze