Don’t pressure the Ukrainian people

IN 1991 George HW Bush travelled to the Ukrainian capital and delivered a message which became known as the “Chicken Kiev” speech.

- Suella Braverman

Just months before the nation gained its independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum, Mr Bush made an intervention, warning them of the consequences of leaving and cautioning them against “suicidal nationalism”.

Thankfully that intervention by US President Bush was ignored, and the country voted overwhelmingly to leave.

Today, as Russia’s illegal war grinds on, some are calling for Ukraine to give away some of their country in order to appease Russia.

People like Henry Kissinger believe that if we give the Russian dictator some of what he wants, he’ll stop the war and we can return to normal.

We shouldn’t be putting pressure on the Ukrainian people to give away territory, especially while they are giving their lives to defend it.

Now is not the time to give up on sovereignty.

I was delighted to welcome my friend and colleague, Iryna Venediktova, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, to the UK to offer our support in the prosecution of war crimes. It is only by standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine that we can deter further barbaric acts.