Will the UK send combat aircraft to Ukraine?
President Zelenskyy has asked the UK for fighter planes in Ukraine. What combat aircraft does the UK have? And what issues exist for training pilots?
On this page
Key points in the conflict
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Ukraine conflict: An overview
On 24 February 2022 Russia invaded its neighbour Ukraine. After a year of conflict there is no clear end in sight.
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Military assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion
What weapons and other military support have been given to Ukraine by the UK, the US and its allies and partners since Russia invaded the country in February 2022?
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Conflict in Ukraine: A timeline (2014 - present)
This paper provides a timeline of the major events in the Ukraine-Russia conflict since Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014.
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Conflict in Ukraine: A parliamentary reading list (2014 - present)
This reading list provides links to Commons Library papers, Committee reports, parliamentary material and UK Government press releases since Crimea was seized by pro-Russian forces in 2014.
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Ukraine: Fears Russia could use chemical weapons
Western military chiefs have expressed concern that Russia could resort to the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
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No-fly zones and Ukraine
The UK and NATO have ruled out establishing a no-fly zone in Ukraine. What is their legal basis and when have they been used before?
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Ukraine: Russia's "red line"
Russian military forces are building on the borders of Ukraine once again. What are Russia's intentions and how is the West responding?
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Nuclear weapons at a glance: Russia
This paper briefly examines Russia's nuclear weapons policies, capabilities and programmes. It is one paper in a larger series on the nuclear weapon states.
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Military Assistance to Ukraine 2014-2021
What military assistance did the UK, the US, NATO and the EU give to Ukraine between 2014 and 2021?
Humanitarian situation, aid and reconstruction
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Post-conflict reconstruction assistance to Ukraine
Planning for the post conflict reconstruction of Ukraine has begun. The potential use of sanctioned Russian assets to help fund reconstruction is among the issues being discussed.
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Ukraine: UK aid and humanitarian situation 2022-23
Describes the effects of the conflict in Ukraine and the number of refugees leaving the country, alongside what aid the UK and others have pledged in 2022/23.
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Refugee mental health and the response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
How does conflict affect the mental health of refugees, and how has the UK Government responded to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine?
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Ukraine: Consular assistance for British nationals
This page summarises consular assistance available to British nationals wishing to leave Ukraine and links to helplines.
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Organising humanitarian aid and help for Ukraine
Russia's actions in Ukraine threaten a humanitarian crisis. The Government advises those in the UK seeking to help to make cash donations to registered charities.
Sanctions
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Sanctions against Russia
In response to Russian military action in Ukraine, Western allies and other partners across the globe have imposed an unprecedented package of coordinated sanctions against Russia.
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The UK's Overseas Territories and sanctions against Russia
The UK has imposed sanctions against Russia. This paper describes how these sanctions apply in the UK's Overseas Territories.
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UK sanctions against Russia: Arms exports
The UK has banned the export of all dual-use items to Russia in response to conflict in Ukraine.
European security and NATO
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UK forces in Estonia
The UK doubled the number of troops in Estonia in early 2022. Will this continue in 2023?
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NATO enlargement: Sweden and Finland
NATO has invited Sweden and Finland to join the Alliance. This paper looks at the process for joining NATO and the expansion of the Alliance since its creation in 1949, and how Russia views NATO enlargement.
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NATO: Reinforcing its eastern flank
NATO has been increasing its military presence along its eastern borders in response to Russian action.
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NATO's response to Russian military action in Ukraine
NATO has condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine. It held a leaders’ virtual summit on 25 February.
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European security: the outcome of talks with Russia
In mid-January 2022 the US, NATO, OSCE and Russia held a series of talks on European security in an effort to defuse the Ukraine crisis.
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What is NATO?
This paper explains what NATO is, its structure and purpose, and how it has evolved since its formation in 1949.
International legal issues
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Ukrainian Holodomor and the war in Ukraine
A debate on the Ukrainian Holodomor and the war in Ukraine is scheduled for Tuesday 7 March 2023 in Westminster Hall, from 4:30-5:30pm. The debate will be led by Pauline Latham MP.
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The UN General Assembly condemns Russia: But what can it actually do?
What powers does the UN have to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
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Implications of the Russian-backed referendums in Ukraine
At the end of September 2022 Moscow announced the annexation of four occupied regions of Ukraine following a series of referendums on joining on Russia, which were widely labelled a "sham" and a violation of international law.
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Ukraine crisis: Recognition, military action, and international law
As Russia begins widespread military action against Ukraine, this briefing outlines some of the international legal issues involved.
European Union
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Ukraine’s application to join the EU
How has the EU responded to Ukraine's application and what would be the process for Ukraine to join the EU?
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The EU response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
How has the EU responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine? This paper provides an overview of the unprecedented set of actions the EU has taken.
Energy security
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Imports of fossil fuels from Russia
The UK imported no coal, oil or gas from Russia in January 2023. The total value of UK fossil fuel imports from Russia has fallen since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was £1.34 billion in the year to January 20222
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EU energy security: Implications for the UK
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the fragile state of the EU’s energy security. How has the EU responded and what does this mean for the UK?
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Alternatives to Russian oil: Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and Venezuela?
The US, UK and EU aim to reduce imports of Russian oil and gas. This describes other countries able to increase supply and the challenges in achieving this.
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Geopolitical implications of Nord Stream 2
The already controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project has taken on greater significance amidst the current crisis in Ukraine. What is the future of the pipeline?
Around the world
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Work of the Council of Europe and the expulsion of Russia
This briefing paper provides an overview of the work of the Council of Europe and also covers the recent expulsion of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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Ukraine crisis and Africa
How have countries in Africa responded to the Ukraine crisis? And how is the conflict affecting the continent?
Implications for the UK
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Homes for Ukraine: What happens after six months?
What options are available to hosts and sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme after six months?
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Rising cost of living in the UK
This briefing covers rising prices including food and energy inflation, Government support, and how the cost of living affects households.
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Support for students from Ukraine in UK higher education
Find out what support is available for higher education students who have arrived in the UK under the Ukraine Schemes.
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Countering Russian influence in the UK
Widespread sanctions have been imposed on Russia for its actions in Ukraine. But there have also been calls for the Government to go further and bring forward long-awaited proposals on countering foreign influence in the UK.
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Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022
An explanation of the Act's three main measures on: (1) a beneficial ownership register of Overseas Entities owning UK property; (2) Unexplained Wealth Orders; and (3) Sanctions.
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Background to Spring Statement 2022
This briefing sets out the background to Spring Statement 2022, which will take place on 23 March 2022. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will publish revised forecasts for the economy and public finances on the same day.
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Ukraine: UK immigration concessions
The Government has announced some immigration concessions for some people affected by the crisis in Ukraine. Campaigners are calling for further measures to help a wider range of people in Ukraine.
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How many Ukrainians live in the UK?
We don't know the exact number of Ukrainian people living in the UK, but what can we find from existing data?
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Economic update: Ukraine crisis adds to inflationary pressures
What is the potential impact on the UK economy from the conflict in Ukraine?
Historical papers
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Sanctions over the Ukraine conflict
The EU announced broad economic sanctions against Russia on 29 July 2014 including restrictions on some Russian banks’ ability to borrow money in EU financial markets, and an arms embargo.
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Ukraine: towards a frozen conflict?
The conflict in Ukraine is in danger of becoming a "frozen conflict" with no clear peace agreement in sight.
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2014 Ukraine crisis
Fears of a Russian military intervention in Ukraine are rising as the country faces a political crisis.
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Ukraine, Crimea and Russia
In 2014 Russian-backed forces took over the Crimean autonomous assembly, which subsequently declared independence from Ukraine.