What should the EU be doing to diffuse growing tensions in Ukraine?
While the situation in Ukraine continues to top the agenda for NATO leaders in Wales, so EU governments will shortly decide on whether to impose tougher sanctions against Russia.
It's this deterioration of the relationship between Russia and the EU which will be scrutinised by the House of Lords EU Committee on Tuesday 9 September, as the Committee continues its inquiry. The House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on External Affairs will hear from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, to get their assessment of the conflict in Ukraine, what role the EU can play to de-escalate the situation, and what effect both the EU's and Russia's sanctions have had.
The evidence session is part of a Lords inquiry into the relationship between the EU and Russia, which is expected to report in the new year.
At 10.05am the Committee will hear from Mr Neil Crompton (Deputy Political Director, FCO), Mr Hugo Shorter (Head of EU Directorate (External), FCO) and Mr Chris Barton (Director of International Affairs, Trade Policy & Export Control, BIS).
Other questions the Committee may ask include:
- How can the situation in Ukraine be stabilised?
- Should the EU have done anything differently?
- Could the new appointments of European Council President and High Representative have any bearing on relations between the EU and Russia?
- What are the medium and long-term plans for Ukraine's future?
- What has been the effect of EU sanctions on Russia to date?
- How have Russian retaliatory sanctions affected the EU?
- Has the UK been as vocal as possible in forming EU policy on Russia?
The evidence session will start at 10.05 am on Tuesday 9 September in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
