The UK's opposition Labour Party has indicated its intention to uphold the current government's robust backing for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia should it assume power. The party's foreign

policy spokesperson has cautioned the rest of Europe against complacency in this regard.

Currently holding a lead of approximately 20 percentage points over the ruling Conservatives in pre-election opinion polls, the Labour Party is gearing up for an election anticipated later this year. With February marking the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Labour's foreign policy chief, David Lammy, is set to deliver a speech on Saturday outlining the party's stance.

Lammy will reiterate Labour's advocacy for a new security pact between Britain and the EU, emphasizing that if Labour were to take office, he would visit Kyiv within the first 100 days to underscore the party's unwavering commitment to countering Vladimir Putin and initiating efforts towards Ukraine's NATO membership.

Expressing concern about potential oversight, Lammy will state, "We in Europe risk taking our eye off the ball," branding Putin as the "ringleader of a new form of fascism," as outlined in extracts from his upcoming speech.

Lammy will critique the Conservatives for diminishing Britain's global standing over their 14-year tenure, particularly in the aftermath of the country's departure from the European Union. Additionally, he will address the diplomatic challenges in the Middle East, highlighting the urgent need for a revival of the UK's reputation for preventative diplomacy.

"We must return to diplomacy to prevent the entire region from descending into full-scale war," Lammy will assert, revealing Labour's intention to pursue the establishment of a new International Contact Group dedicated to working towards peace in the Middle East. Photo by Falin, Wikimedia commons.