Kyiv, August 29, 2014. The United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine after Russian escalation of the crisis in Ukraine this week. This was stated by James Wharton, a Conservative Party member of the British House of Commons at Ukraine Crisis Media Center in Kyiv. A firmer stance against the Russian Federation is required, in order to demonstrate that Russia’s behavior is completely unacceptable in the 21st century, he said. Wharton recently returned from a two-day trip to the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas, which is the site of a Russian-supported militant insurgency and Russian military intervention.
“I will take a clear message back to the British parliament that we need to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” Wharton said. Wharton believes that a firmer stance against Russia is necessary, following widespread reports of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. “We are watching with surprise and disappointment with the actions of Russia,” stated Wharton. The British MP said that he has spoken to many Ukrainians during his few days in the country, and has learned that most Ukrainians have warm feelings toward the United Kingdom and would like to see the British government take a stronger approach on Ukraine conflict. “I hope that everything will be done to avert a humanitarian crisis that is in the process of happening,” he emphasized.
Wharton claimed that there will be an urgent statement from the British Parliament on Russia’s escalation of the conflict when the body re-convenes on Monday. He stressed that NATO needs to take a more pro-active role in the protection of its member states, and that the security organization will need to reform its objectives in order to take into account the new realities of European and international security. Wharton admitted that more sanctions will hurt the Western economy, but stated that “this is the price of freedom.”
