Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Lewin Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Louise Sandher-Jones]

It is important to note that the defence industry in the UK can still participate under standard third-country terms. Since then, we have continued to work with our EU partner nations on a variety of different mechanisms, whether through NATO or through our bilateral arrangements.

[Andrew Lewin (Welwyn Hatfield) (Lab)]

4. What assessment he has made of the level of threat from Russia.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Wes Streeting)]

Terms such as “hybrid threats” and “grey zone” fail to convey adequately the seriousness of Russia’s widespread campaign of what I prefer to call state-sponsored terrorism, which it is inflicting across our continent. We expect it to continue probing and testing Britain and her allies, including through military posturing and reckless military activity. We are not at war with Russia, nor do we seek confrontation, but Russia should be in no doubt that we are ready to defend every inch of NATO territory and that we will not be deterred in our unwavering support for Ukraine.

[Andrew Lewin]

To deter Russia, we need vigilance at home and the support of our allies abroad. I am sure the whole House will agree that Vladimir Putin’s decision to continue to bomb and target civilian and energy infrastructure in Ukraine is proof that he is not interested in a ceasefire, so does my right hon. Friend agree that, at this moment, our allied response should be to give even greater support to Ukraine and President Zelensky and to look at what further sanctions we could place on Russia?

[Wes Streeting]

I wholeheartedly agree with my hon Friend. At the next meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group, I will be continuing to mobilise practical support from our allies. When I was in Washington last week, I made our view very clear that Ukraine’s frontline is the frontline for freedom and democracy everywhere, and that we need to stand together to increase the cost of this war to Putin, because only Putin has the means to end this war. If Ukraine were to cease fire tomorrow while Russia continued, it would pay a heavy price in casualties and in the very freedom that the United Kingdom and all our allies seek to defend.