Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many bilateral meetings with Ukraine his Department has held under the G7 Joint Declaration of support for Ukraine of 12 July 2023; and which minister leads on these discussions.

On 12 July 2023 the UK and other G7 members reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to the strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression. This is in line with pre-existing UK commitment to work with Ukraine on specific, bilateral, long-term defence and security commitments and arrangements.

The Secretary of State for Defence leads on defence elements of this work, meeting regularly with his counterparts from Ukraine, NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force and Northern Group to discuss ongoing support to Ukraine, most recently at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein in September.