Tories: UK should have central role in Ukraine peace talks

ODN

The UK should have a central role in peace talks, given the government's consistent support of Ukraine, according to the shadow defence secretary. James Cartlidge also emphasised the importance of a long-lasting peace deal and that Ukraine should be involved in all peace negotiations.   Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

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00:00We should have a central role. When Ukraine was invaded, it was the UK which stood by them,

00:06providing the essential munitions, which meant that they could withstand that initial invasion.

00:10And actually, you know, against expectation, remember, most people thought that this mighty

00:15Russian army would roll them over really quickly. Actually, they were able to withstand that,

00:20to win back a lot of territory. And although the situation is difficult, I'm very proud of the role

00:24the UK played and has continued to play throughout the conflict, a very important role. So yes,

00:29we should definitely be involved. But the most important country to be involved is Ukraine.

00:33They must be at the heart of the talks. We need to remember that they've suffered terribly at

00:38the hands of Russia. And their view and position on this negotiation, when it happens, when it

00:44fully gets underway, is central. Well, America's clearly going to have a voice in this. I think

00:50that probably what you are seeing is that, you know, he's a newly elected president, has a

00:56mandate whereby he said he would end this war quickly, he wants to see peace, and boy, we all

01:01want to see peace, the Ukrainians do. But I would say this, for that peace to last, for it to be

01:07sustainable, it has to be one which genuinely gives the people of Ukraine peace and security

01:13and confidence for the future. And so when we held an urgent question on Thursday, it's like a small

01:19debate in Parliament, I'd called that question, the Speaker granted it, both myself and the

01:23government minister at the time he responded, was stressing first of all, that Ukraine must have a

01:29very strong say in the negotiations. But also the point that I made, that Russia mustn't be seen to

01:34win from any settlement, because actually, it would send a terrible signal to any other potential

01:39adversary, for example, China. And that's not in the interest of any NATO member, including the

01:44United States.

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