UK must improve cooperation with EU over defence as Putin-Trump “locked room” talks threaten Ukrainian and European Security

Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, Helen Maguire MP has said that the lasting peace in Ukraine cannot be guaranteed without improving UK-EU cooperation on defence and security. 

It follows on from the US President saying that he will be beginning negotiations with Putin over the future of Ukraine immediately.

Helen Maguire added that “the UK must show better leadership in Europe” and called on the UK and our European allies to “commit to increased defence spending”.

At PMQs, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey warned the Prime Minister that “if Ukraine is forced to surrender its sovereign territory to Russia, it will be the greatest betrayal of a European ally since Poland in 1945”. He called on Starmer to reassure the House that he would not allow President Zelensky to be “bullied by Trump and Putin into a deal that effectively hands victory to Russia”.

Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, Helen Maguire MP says:

“President Trump’s callous actions should set alarm bells ringing for the UK.

“Ukraine must remain in charge of its own destiny. Its future, and European security with it, must not be decided by Putin and Trump in the confines of a locked room whilst President Zelensky, the UK and its allies are shut out.

“The UK must show stronger leadership in Europe. The Munich Security Conference provides a significant opportunity for our Government to demonstrate its support for Ukraine by initiating better cooperation with our European allies on defence and security.

“We cannot guarantee lasting peace in Ukraine without improving UK-EU relations. This includes better procurement processes, shared intelligence and reaffirming our unequivocal support for NATO.”