Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a Government representative attended the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council held in April 2016; and what the conclusions of that meeting were.

The UK Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO attended the NATO-Russia Council on 20 April 2016. Allies stood firm and united in denouncing Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine. In annexing Ukraine's land, violating its territorial integrity, and destabilising east Ukraine, Russia has contravened international law and challenged the rules based international order.

The meeting also discussed military transparency and risk reduction, and the security situation in Afghanistan. Political channels of communication will remain open, but NATO is clear that there will be no return to 'business as usual' until Russia respects international law.