G20 and Leadership of EU Institutions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

G20 and Leadership of EU Institutions

John Howell Excerpts
Wednesday 3rd July 2019

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the Government’s position on this. That position has not changed, and no such discussions took place.

John Howell Portrait John Howell (Henley) (Con)
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The readmission last week of the Russians to the Council of Europe is being described by the Russians as international approval of the Russian invasion of Crimea. Did the Prime Minister have the chance to tell Putin that we totally reject that view?

Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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I was able to make clear to President Putin the view that the United Kingdom takes: this was an illegal annexation of Crimea. I was also able to make it clear that we expect Russia to return the sailors and ships that were taken from the Kerch strait.