I recently joined the first UK Parliamentary delegation to Ukraine since the outbreak of war in February.

Together with fellow Conservative Bob Seeley, three Labour colleagues, one Liberal Democrat and one Scottish Nationalist, we embarked on the required arduous trip: flying to Warsaw, bus and then overnight train across the border to Kyiv.

Despite sporadic air raid alarms, I felt safe in Kyiv, the centre of which looks open and is free for movement. Cafes and shops were buzzing, relatively few uniforms were on show and with the brave hardy Ukrainian people getting on with their lives as best as they can. Despite overall City resident numbers still reduced, steadily people are now returning to rebuild their lives and their country.

The determination to rebuild Ukraine as a proud free, independent, democratic and western facing modern nation was universal and palpable with the people I met.

Ukraine did not want this war and its cost in terms of loss of life, devastated economy and smashed infrastructure is huge. But their determination to persevere and rebuild is absolute and only reinforced through the harsh conflict.

If a deal involving peace for land has ever been possible, now Ukrainians will not start to negotiate until all of their land is free from Russia; and that includes Donbas and Crimea. This was the firm view of every politician, soldier and citizen that we had the opportunity to meet.

And one can see why, as the vile outcome of Russian occupation is revealed in territory retaken by the heroic actions of the Ukrainian military. Sadly, the horrors of Bucha are not an horrific isolated incident. Indeed, it is becoming clear that looting, torture, murder, rape and intimidation is the standard practice of the Russian occupiers.

These crimes must never be forgotten nor overlooked, and we were very pleased to hear of how UK prosecutors have been helping local agencies with evidence collection and advice.

Furthermore, it reinforced my view that this war is more than about helping a freedom loving people fight against a bullying aggressor.

Russian aggression has been used time and time again under Putin, right from the invasion of Georgia in 2008. There is nothing to show that Russia would, unless stopped, halt at Ukraine. To that extent Ukrainians are also fighting the war on behalf of all of us who refuse to accept a Europe where barbarity and violence call the shots.

We had many meetings with politicians, economists, prosecutors, human rights activist, anti-corruption NGOs and of course the military.

How is UK taxpayers’ money (a lot of it) being spent? How will the human rights criminals be brought to book? How will reconstruction move forward both during and after the war? These were some of the questions we addressed as well as how the UK working alone and also with other countries could best play its part.

A visit to the Presidential palace to meet President Zelenskyy was memorable. The president and his ministers, all dressed in khaki, were focused and determined to succeed in their historic struggle. The famed charisma and can-do attitude of the President was very much on show and impressive. Moreover, the atmosphere was helped no little by the remarkable military achievements of the first day of the Kharkiv offensive.

Rarely have I seen a smile so broad than that shown by one of the Kharkiv MPs that we met. Naturally, she was aching to once again step foot in her previously occupied constituency.

But the battlefield victories also accentuated the size of the challenges yet to be faced.

Firstly, militarily speaking, Russia still remains a powerful and vicious threat. Putin is an unpredictable enemy and, wounded and concerned to protect his Crimea legacy to Russia, may yet become even less principled over civilian rights, let alone the rules of war.

Secondly, retaking occupied territory is one thing, but holding it is another. Police, courts, schools and civil society all have to be re-established. War crimes and collaborators have to be prosecuted. Infrastructure has to be rebuilt. The cost and administrative challenges involved are enormous and urgent.

Thirdly, the military requirements are changing. In the early days of the war basic equipment for soldiers and defensive weapons, such as anti-tank missiles, were priority. Then longer-range artillery, to break down Russian defences, was and still is required to enable offensive operations. But then, following reoccupation, the priorities changed again and the need for anti-missile defence systems came to the fore.

If Ukraine is going to encourage its over 10 million internally displaced citizens and millions of foreign based refugees to return to their homes in Ukraine, then security from air attack becomes key to restoring confidence. This point was quickly reinforced by Russian retaliation against lost ground, taking the cowardly form of missile attacks against civilian targets. Electricity and water infrastructure has already been bombed and the cold winter is coming.

So the challenges are immense but one thing is for sure and came across very strongly. Namely, Ukrainian recognition of British support and the gratitude that was expressed by everyone we met. Ukrainians feel that the UK is in this battle with them for the long term and that we were the first to speak up for them in the international community. Also that we then backed that up with money, arms and valuable advice.

As a result, many Ukrainians have made it their business to learn about the UK and take an interest in our affairs. Not least, the words of condolence we received for the loss of Her Majesty the Queen were many and heartfelt.

I was left with the strong impression that out of this war, out of this horror and barbarity will develop an immensely strong and lasting relationship between our two countries.

In the meantime, we must redouble our efforts to ensure a speedy victory for Ukraine as soon as possible and enable its restoration towards the modern democratic country that I know it has the potential to be.

Jonathan Djanogly MP
Deputy Chair Ukraine APPG
16 September 2022