Armed forces minister Luke Pollard was asked about ambassador Mandelson’s words to ABC yesterday in which he said Europe should give “unequivocal backing to the initiative President Trump is taking” and proposed a ceasefire initiated by Ukraine:
“Ukraine and the Europeans too – they need to back calls for a ceasefire and, by the way, I think that Ukraine should be the first to commit to a ceasefire and defy the Russians to follow and then as part of the unfolding plan for this negotiation the Europeans and perhaps some other countries too have got to consider how they are going to put forces on the ground to play their part in providing enduring security and deterrence for Ukraine – now that’s the reset that we are looking for that’s what the British PM is working for in London.“
Pollard slapped that down on Sky News: “No. It’s certainly right that the Ukrainians want peace I think of all the people on our continent that want peace the Ukrainians want it the most but we’re still in discussions and diplomatic engagement with our European, US, and Ukrainian friends as to the shape of that deal.” Mandy still has some way to go on the fine art of diplomatic language…
When it comes to the French-briefed proposal for a month-long energy, airborne, and naval ceasefire, Pollard dodged: “There are a number of options being discussed, none have been agreed to at this stage… but they all involve stepping up support for Ukraine.” Mandelson outriding to quite an extent here…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”