Labor pledges “firm” support for Ukraine against Putin

A Labor government would have a “firm commitment” to supporting Ukraine against put onsaid two shadow ministers.

The promise came as shadow foreign secretary David Lammy and shadow secretary of defense John Healey visited the country’s capital, Kyiv.

The pair visited the country to discuss a “new UK plan” to help secure victory against Russia’s “imperial invasion”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Labor Party would not match Conservative defense spending.

In a joint statement, Lammy and Healey said they visited together to show a united front against Putin’s attempts to divide the West.

“Moscow’s deepened cooperation with Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang requires us to deepen our cooperation with Britain’s allies to demonstrate that our commitment to Ukraine will survive Vladmir Putin’s imperial invasion,” they said.

“The next Labor government’s commitment to Ukraine will be firm and European security will be our first foreign and defense priority.

“Labour’s action plan lays out a comprehensive approach to support Ukraine, confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes. We will stand with Ukraine until it prevails.”

The visit was intended to send a message that, should Labor win the next general election, there would be “no change in our military, diplomatic, financial and political support for Ukraine”, they said.

As Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region intensify, Labor MPs met with the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, to discuss what the priorities of a Labor government would be. .

The plan for Ukraine lays out five priorities: accelerating military support, deepening diplomatic efforts, countering Russian aggression, boosting industrial production, and supporting recovery and reconstruction.

Lammy and Healey promised that a Labor government would help create “a clear path to Ukraine’s NATO membership” and called for a renewed focus on cooperation between NATO nations ahead of the NATO75 Summit in July.

The pair also laid out a comprehensive plan to support Ukraine in the long term, including actions to isolate Russia.

On Monday, Sunak said the UK “is at a crossroads” ahead of “some of the most dangerous years” in a pre-election speech to voters.

He said the Labor Party would not keep its promises on defense including a commitment to increase defense spending to 2.5% of national income by 2030.

The Labor Party said it would achieve the same target when economic conditions allow.