Ukraine and Russia

Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts

Tuesday 15th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, why do not we put aside our immediate reservations about Trump, with all his idiosyncrasies—certainly following his disastrous miscalculations on intervention in the Middle East—join his people in any talks that might take place seeking a settlement in the Ukraine conflict, and then, if we want to be more adventurous, as a compromise, promote the idea of protectorate status in eastern Ukraine to include Donetsk and Luhansk, underpinned by guarantees from the major powers, to include the United States, Europe and Russia? There are precedents. We need to think out of the box and stem the escalation referred to by my noble friend in his Statement.

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for his question. Of course, we have to prevent escalation and be careful in the language we use, which I think by and large this House is, because it is aware that a word misplaced can have very serious consequences. I say to my noble friend, however, that we all want a ceasefire in Ukraine. As far as the Government are concerned, the obstacle to that is Russia. Russia is the problem. Let me also say that the fundamental principle for all of us is that any ceasefire should come with the acceptance and support of Ukraine itself. That is an important and fundamental principle. In terms of what comes after, that is why the UK, with France, has been leading the coalition of the willing—the possibility of a multinational force—so that any agreement that is reached has the support of that multinational force, so we can make sure that it is not just written on paper but is secure in any arrangements that it comes to.