Oral Answers to Questions

Edward Morello Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Louise Sandher-Jones)]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising such an important topic. Protecting the vital sea routes on which Britain depends is a fundamental task of the Royal Navy. We are strengthening these capabilities through the strategic defence review and defence investment plan, including through investment in the hybrid Navy, which will bring together crewed warships, submarines and uncrewed systems.

[Edward Morello (West Dorset) (LD)]

T9. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Putin has proposed a meeting with President Xi and President Trump to agree a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity to confirm that Britain’s support for Ukraine to win this war is unwavering, no matter what dodgy deals are done by autocrats behind closed doors?

[Wes Streeting]

We support the diplomatic track that is being promoted by the Americans, which aims to bring together the Ukrainians and negotiators from Russia to bring an end to the war. Our position is clear, and I relayed this directly in Washington last week: there can be no decision about the Ukrainians without the Ukrainians; the peace would have to be acceptable to them. We will back Ukraine to the hilt.