Defence Secretary Assertion to the House of Commons – Monday 1 September 2025

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I’d wish to make an announcement on Ukraine.

But earlier than I start, I’d like to tell the House that yesterday we secured a £10 billion contract to provide Norway with at the very least 5 Type 26 frigates.

This is the largest British warship deal in our historical past…

It strengthens NATO and our Northern flank…

It helps 4 thousand British jobs and 4 hundred British companies for years to return…

And it’s exhibiting that this Government is making Defence an engine for progress throughout the areas and nations of the United Kingdom. 

Turning to Ukraine, Madam Deputy Speaker. A couple of days in the past Ukrainians around the globe got here collectively to mark a big day…

… 34 years of their nation’s independence…

… 34 years as a proud and sovereign nation.

And Ukrainians proceed to battle for that freedom with big braveness – army and civilians alike – three-and-a-half years on from the beginning of Putin’s brutal full-scale invasion.

A safe Europe wants a robust Ukraine.

Their freedom is our freedom. Their values our are values.

And because of this the UK stands with Ukraine, and because of this this House stands united for Ukraine.

And when Ukraine marks their subsequent Independence Day, all of us hope to see them rejoice in a time of peace and never in a time of struggle.

Madam Deputy Speaker, over the summer season, the UK with our allies have been working onerous to make that hope a actuality.

The Prime Minister hosted President Zelenskyy in London….

…. he chaired numerous Coalition of the Willing conferences with President Macron…

… and he joined European leaders with President Zelenskyy to fulfill President Trump in Washington DC.

I’ve spoken with Defence Ministers throughout the Coalition about stepping up army help and about securing a peace after any deal.

And our army leaders have met a number of occasions to strengthen worldwide contributions to the Coalition, additionally recognized now because the ‘Multinational Force Ukraine.’

We welcome President Trump’s dedication to bringing this horrible struggle to an finish.

And we strongly welcome his dedication to make safety ensures, as he says, “very secure” with the Europeans.

At each stage, President Zelenskyy continues his help for a full, unconditional ceasefire and for talks on an enduring peace.

And but Putin’s response has been to launch among the largest assaults on Ukraine for the reason that begin of the struggle.

During final week’s onslaught on Kyiv, at the very least 23 individuals have been killed, 4 of whom have been kids, together with a two-year-old.

The assault on the British Council was an outrage…

… a Russian missile fired right into a civilian space as a part of an unlawful struggle, damaging a British authorities constructing, and injuring a civilian employee.

Now it seems Putin is refusing a gathering with President Trump and President Zelenskyy.

So, whereas Ukraine desires peace, Putin wages struggle.

And President Trump is correct.

We should proceed pushing for peace… in addition to rising strain on Putin to return to the desk.

So, we help measures to disrupt Russian oil revenues.

And we welcome President Trump’s feedback that he’s weighing very critical financial sanctions on Russia.

And the Foreign Secretary could have extra to say on related UK motion very quickly.

Madam Deputy Speaker, on the battlefield intense preventing continues alongside the entrance line.

And whereas Russian army exercise has lowered within the Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, as Russian Ground Forces relocate parts of these forces…

… over the previous two weeks, they’ve superior within the northern Donetsk area.

Pokrovsk stays Russia’s focus and its forces are utilizing quite a lot of strategies to infiltrate Ukrainian positions.

But Putin continues to make solely minor territorial positive aspects and at an enormous price.

The most up-to-date evaluation of the UK Defence Intelligence estimates that on the present tempo since January, it will take Russia one other 4.4 years to grab the Donbas. 

At a price of virtually two million extra Russian casualties.

Despite this, the rising escalation of Russia’s devastating drone strikes is a critical concern. 

In July, Russia launched roughly six thousand 200 One Way Attack Drones in opposition to Ukraine… one other month-to-month file.

Yet in a single evening alone over the weekend, Russia launched practically 5 hundred drones and 45 missiles.

So Madam Deputy Speaker, the UK Government is stepping up our efforts for Ukraine.

And our priorities are easy:

Support the battle right now… safe the peace tomorrow.

On help for the battle right now, we’re offering £4.5 billion in army assist for Ukraine this yr – the very best ever stage.

And on the final Ukraine Defence Contact Group assembly with over fifty nations and companions in July, I launched a “50-day drive” to speed up the help we’re giving.

50 days on, the UK has delivered to Ukraine:

… practically 5 million rounds of munitions…

… round sixty thousand artillery shells, rockets, and missiles…

… two thousand 5 hundred uncrewed platforms…

… thirty automobiles and engineering gear…

… and 200 digital warfare and air defence programs.

Madam Deputy Speaker, we is not going to jeopardise the peace by forgetting in regards to the struggle.

So subsequent week, I will even co-chair the thirtieth UDCG assembly with Germany’s Minister Pistorius – alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and fifty different allies and companions.

And I’ll host an E5 Defence Ministers Summit in London subsequent week, the place we might be joined by the Ukrainian Defence Minister…

We’re collectively, we’ll step up nonetheless additional our help for Ukraine.

And then to safe the peace tomorrow:

The UK continues – with the French – to steer the Coalition of the Willing.

Two hundred army planners from greater than thirty nations have helped design plans within the occasion of a ceasefire…

… plans to safe the skies and seas… and to coach Ukrainian Forces to defend their nation. 

This week, I’ll host Defence Ministers from throughout the Coalition, with French Minister Lecornu, to additional cement contributions to that Coalition…

And for the Armed Forces, I’m reviewing readiness ranges and accelerating funding to arrange for any doable deployment.

Peace is feasible, and we might be prepared.

And the Prime Minister and I’ll make sure the House is totally knowledgeable of developments within the correct manner.

Madam Deputy Speaker, could I take this chance right now to pay tribute to one of many driving figures of the Coalition of the Willing…

… Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, whose final day as our UK Chief of the Defence Staff is right now.

Tony has had a distinguished 35-year profession within the Armed Forces – serving in operations proper throughout the globe.

He’s broadly revered – and as a real good friend of the Ukrainian individuals… as President Zelenskyy himself stated final week.

I’m positive everybody within the House will be part of me in thanking Tony for his excellent service and need each success to his successor as CDS, Air Chief Marshal Rich Knighton.

And let me finish then by saying that whereas President Putin likes to undertaking energy, he’s now weaker than ever. 

Since Putin launched his unlawful invasion, he has not achieved any of his strategic goals…

… he has misplaced greater than ten thousand tanks and armoured automobiles, and his Black Sea Fleet has been humiliated.

He’s pressured to depend on states like Iran for drones, North Korea for frontline troops, and China for know-how and elements.

He is utilizing 40% of his whole authorities spending on the struggle, with rates of interest now working at 18% and inflation at 9%.

And furthermore, Putin now faces a much bigger NATO… thirty two nations robust, with an settlement to boost nationwide spending on safety to five% by 2035.

And he faces a Ukraine extra decided than ever to regulate its personal future.

Madam Deputy Speaker, a safe Europe wants a robust, sovereign Ukraine.

And we within the UK we’ll stand with Ukraine for so long as it takes.