Tewkesbury MP’s serious concerns over Ukraine ceasefire
Cameron Thomas says a ceasefire would not be beneficial to Ukraine
A Gloucestershire MP fears a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine brokered by US President Trump would be used by Vladimir Putin to replenish his military ahead of fresh invasion in Eastern Europe.
Mr Thomas, who was recently sanctioned by the Kremlin following a humanitarian visit to Ukraine, said: “Russia’s Armed Forces are fully-extended across eastern Ukraine, where they have been successfully halted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine since February 2022.
“In that time, Russia’s economy has suffered immense strain under western sanctions and a focus on supporting the continuing war effort. It now costs Russia significantly more to develop weapon systems than it did three years ago.
“Meanwhile Ukraine’s economy continues to improve.
“In the east, the Chinese Communist Party retains its ambition for territorial gains in the South China Sea. It has already been developing its military presence in its South-Eastern regions and its Navy has become increasingly hostile to foreign vessels in the region.”
In April, the Liberal Democrat asked Security Minister Dan Jarvis to urgently review the application for a new Chinese Super Embassy in London, and called on the government not to repeat with China, what he sees as mistakes which successive Conservative governments made with Russia.
“China and Russia have considered themselves to be at war with the west for decades, with a long-term plan to undermine our democracies economically and politically,” he said.
“Both states have consistently executed hybrid attacks against western democracies. To prevent this hybrid war from becoming kinetic, NATO and western governments must recognise the ambitions of China and Russia as shared, and Collaborative.
“We should be grateful to Ukraine for significantly depleting the Russian war machine, and containing it within Ukraine’s own borders. We may yet see peace in Ukraine, but it will only come with a conclusive Russian defeat.
“Any ceasefire agreement will be exploited by Putin to replenish his armed forces ahead of a fresh invasion in Eastern Europe.
“This will heavily stretch NATO in Europe, and Xi will be more likely to invade Taiwan with the US’ allies already committed.
“Western governments must not blink first. This is a moment of historic importance.”