Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has emphasised that the UK's role in ensuring Ukraine's security must be coordinated with the United States.
Speaking to GB News, Alexander stressed that European security is directly linked to Britain's national security interests.
"This isn't just an issue for the people of Ukraine. This is an issue of European security, and as a consequence, it's an issue of national security for us here in the UK," she said.
The Transport Secretary confirmed that the Prime Minister will be discussing security matters with the US President next week.
Heidi Alexander has claimed that the UK's role in securing peace in Ukraine 'must be in partnership' with the US
Reuters / GB News
Alexander highlighted the significance of the recent European leaders' meeting in Paris to address the Ukraine situation.
"It was really important that European leaders came together in Paris yesterday to discuss this issue because whatever happens in the next couple of days, weeks, months, we need to find a way to create a lasting and enduring peace for Ukraine," she told GB News.
The Transport Secretary warned against temporary solutions that could enable further Russian aggression.
"What we can't have is a situation where there is a temporary pause in hostilities, say, which allows Putin to return with a territorial incursion into a sovereign country," she stated.
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REUTERSAlexander outlined the Government's commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP "as soon as the financial and economic situation allows".
The Transport Secretary acknowledged Europe's growing responsibility in regional security matters.
"We have also said that we recognise that Europe has to do more to step up to provide its own security," she said.
However, she declined to provide specific spending details ahead of the upcoming review. "I'm not going to get ahead of the spending review," Alexander stated, noting that funding decisions would encompass various public services alongside defence requirements.
Alexander told GB News that the 'security of the British people is first and foremost'
GB News
"We have commissioned a strategic defence review... to look at our capabilities and the amount of money we need to be spending to ensure we protect national security," she explained.
The review will assess military capabilities and requirements, with the security of British citizens being the primary consideration. "The security of the British people is first and foremost in all of this," the Transport Secretary emphasised.
Alexander reaffirmed the UK's commitment to supporting Ukraine in response to Russian aggression. "When President Zelensky has said that he needed the UK and other European countries to step up to the plate to enable him to deal with this Russian aggression, we have done," she said.
The Transport Secretary emphasised the Government's determination to maintain Ukraine's position of strength.
"We will continue to do everything that it did take to ensure that Ukraine is in a position of strength in any discussions that happen going forward," she stated.
Both the Prime Minister and Chancellor are prepared to take necessary actions, she assured.
