Foreign Affairs Committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry has reaffirmed Britain’s support for Ukraine following a visit to the country, warning that continued backing will be vital as Ukrainians prepare for another difficult winter.
Thornberry said the resilience she encountered remained striking more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
She said:
Four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, yet Ukraine’s spirit isn’t dimmed.
During the visit, Thornberry said she met politicians and others working to ensure that Ukraine emerging from the conflict is “modern, tolerant & Europe-facing”.
UK support continuing into winter
Thornberry’s intervention comes as Britain steps up support intended to help Ukraine withstand further Russian attacks during the winter.
Earlier this month, the Government announced a £100 million winter air-defence package, including air-defence interceptors, artillery ammunition and drones. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the assistance was designed to protect Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure against continuing Russian strikes.
Britain had already announced additional humanitarian and energy assistance on the fourth anniversary of the invasion, including £20 million to protect and repair Ukraine’s energy system and £5.7 million for humanitarian support to frontline communities.
Thornberry said:
Our continued support is vital as they hunker down for a hard winter.
Russian attacks remain intense
The UK has continued to condemn escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
At the United Nations earlier this month, Britain said Russia had launched at least 429 missiles into Ukraine in July alone, more than double the previous month, and cited UN-verified figures showing almost 17,000 Ukrainian civilians killed since February 2022.
The Government says the defence of Ukraine remains closely connected to wider European and British security. Prime Minister Andy Burnham reaffirmed that position earlier this month, saying Britain’s support had helped sustain Ukraine’s resistance and would continue under his Government.
Thornberry scrutinising wider Russia threat
As chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Thornberry is also overseeing a parliamentary inquiry into Russia and the broader threat Moscow poses to Britain and its allies.
Launching that inquiry, she said Russia represented a major foreign-policy challenge and argued that Ukraine’s security was “inextricably linked to wider European security”.
The Committee is examining Russia’s military strategy, hostile activity against the UK and allies, sanctions and the long-term implications of the war.
Focus on Ukraine’s future as well as its defence
Thornberry’s comments also underline that British engagement with Ukraine increasingly extends beyond immediate military support.
Reconstruction, democratic institutions, economic recovery and Ukraine’s relationship with Europe will all form part of the country’s long-term future.
The UK has committed humanitarian, military and reconstruction assistance since the invasion began, while continuing to support Ukraine diplomatically through the UN, NATO partners and the Coalition of the Willing.
For Thornberry, the message from her visit is that Ukraine’s determination remains strong — but continued British and international backing will be essential both to withstand the coming winter and to help build the country that emerges from the war.
