Ukraine (Flight MH17) and Gaza

Anne Marie Morris Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2014 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I hear what the hon. Lady says and I am sure that she is right. It is partly about that, but it is also about Russia’s vision of itself and its neighbours and about it feeling that connection with Ukraine. What we should be saying is that of course we will protect the rights of Russian-speaking minorities in eastern Ukraine, but the people of Ukraine have made a choice in terms of a free and democratic election and a free choice to have an association agreement with the European Union, and Russia should respect that.

[Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con)]

Does the Prime Minister agree that the Russian Government’s recent action demonstrates the limitations of soft diplomacy, and that it may soon be time for a bigger step, including withdrawing Russia’s right to host the 2018 World cup, with its cloak of respectability and economic benefits?

[The Prime Minister]

A number of points have been made about the dangers that Russia faces if it opts for a path of increasing international isolation.