Robert Courts speaks on the war in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin has been told he is “in no position to lecture Israel” about the legality of its military operation in Gaza given his “brutal, unprovoked” invasion of neighbour Ukraine.
And Robert Courts, the recently appointed chairman of Parliament’s Defence Committee, also emphasised the importance of Western unity when it came to Russian aggression – as well as admitting his concern that tensions in the Middle East could result in “fatigue” when it came to the war raging in Europe.
Putin’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov took aim at Israel in an interview with Belarusian state media at the weekend during which he was asked about the aftermath of the Hamas terror attack last month, in which at least 1,400 people were killed.
He said: “While we condemn terrorism, we categorically disagree that you can respond to terrorism by violating the norms of international humanitarian law, including indiscriminately using force against targets where civilians are known to be present, including hostages that have been taken.”
Mr Courts, the Tory MP for Witney, wasted little time pointing out the contradiction between such sentiments and Russia’s behaviour since Putin launched his so-called “special military operation” on February 24, 2002.
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He said: “Russia is in no position to lecture anybody on the norms of international law or international behaviour, given the utterly brutal unprovoked war that they have unleashed upon Ukraine.
“All of the horrors that we have seen in the Second World War are present again in Ukraine.
“That is, a war waged with utter brutality, utter barbarity by Russian forces
“And neither they nor Putin is in any position to lecture anyone else about standards in warfare.”
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Mr Courts also suggested the current situation – with two wars being fought in the northern hemisphere – highlighted the need for close cooperation among allies in the West.
Apparently splits among leading figures within the European Union – not least European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Josep Borrell – have emerged since the attack of October 7.
The former carefully avoided criticism of Israel, but the latter likewise accused the nation of “breaching international law” with its response, specifically shutting off water and fuel supplies to Gaza.
Mr Courts agreed Britain’s departure from the EU meant it was less hampered by such divisions, but added: “Nonetheless, I do think we have to remember the essential importance of working with allies.
“NATO is our primary essential military focus, but there is a case as well with European Union partners to ensure that we serve the common good of us being members, all of us being democracies, and all of us facing common threats in the autocracy to the east.”
Mr Courts was also wary of the attention of the West becoming diverted by events in the Levant.
He said: “I’m mindful of any concern that takes the eye off the ball as regards to Ukraine.
“The support that the UK has shown for Ukraine has certainly been world-leading, but it must continue for the simple reason that Ukraine is at the front of these challenges to the international rules-based order, the norms that have meant that we have been a safe, secure and prosperous country through all our adult lifetimes.
“And what Russia is doing is challenging that and China is watching. So we have to remain vigilant, both the UK and all of our allies.”
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