calculus of risk in the minds of the russian leaders by developing a graduated hierarchy of economic measures that make sure and make clear to the russians the cost and consequences of this aggression. the international community must the newar that ukrainian government must be inclusive, protect the rights of russian speaking populations within ukraine, and make clear that to russia, the strengthening ties between ukraine and the european union should not be seen as some game that will prejudice its own bilateral relations.

ick response and contribute to the escalation of the crisis. >> hello, mr. speaker.

arrays -- arise for all the poetic measures to be used. that is absolutely what we are doing and indeed, i think from agreementery strong of the gravity of the threats and the principles that should guide us in responding to it. ofspoke about the violation ukraine's independence and sovereignty. he commended the u.n. -- the ukrainian government for its restraint and urged them to continue with that and to continue to do everything they can to show they are being inclusive within ukraine, that there is no threat to you russian -- to russians. i put it to them yesterday that they could have additional changes to language laws. towould give extra assurance the acting president not to

that infringe in any way on the russian language to go ahead. the -- whetherr i thought the imf would be able to respond. a stronghere is recognition among the ukrainian ministers that they do need to do something quite different economically but they have to issues.hese deep-seated i think it is entirely possible that imf could respond in a two-stage process with the second stage following after elections on may 25. i met three of the likely presidential candidates, not in the government would likely to run for president while i was there. i'm kurds all of them to support economic reforms, including an

anticorruption and much greater transparency in government. i think there is a reasonable rossbach to agree on the basis of such commitment. he asked about -- she welcomed the initial steps. i think that is the right way to describe it. certainly, the united kingdom and strongly advocated we need to take further actions. those actions must be done on a united basis and of course well judged and well targeted. i don't think it would be helpful for different countries to announce ahead of the european council what they want to see. andunited position, whatever measures they decide to take on thursday. i can't tell him -- he asked if all options remain on the table and the answer is yes.

no partially photographed documents to be taken as a guide to decisions made on these matters. those options remain open. -- thed about the suspension of the preparations. the d sevensterday, be able to hold meetings of their own. that is an option. i think it will be necessary not only to take well judged measures and responsiveness, but across the european union for there to be a recognition that russia needs the european union economically just as much or more than the european union needs russia. we need to have the common political will and to organize way toes in a cohesive have the political will and economic leverage in the future

to be much clear than it is today. doing that may be one of the longer-term consequences of what russia has done in the crimea. >> sir peter. >> may i put it to the foreign secretary that brussels is probably -- is partly to blame. if the already over and largest european union is going to continue to try to extend its borders towards mongolia, we will indeed finish up with a third world war. every russian knows that the was theof the crimea greatest achievement of catherine the great. ofrussian government

whatever political complexion could ever give up the crimea and you could be absolutely certain that the russian people are passionately in support of president putin over this issue. >> i differ a little bit on this. crimea to give the ukraine in 1954 and in the 1990's, followed that with a series of agreements. the budapest memorandum, the 1997 agreement on the black sea in which they forceful -- fo integritykrainian and russia chose to do that. they must honor their international obligations.

it is not the ambition of the eu or the u.k. to extend its borders to mongolia. what we're talking about here is not ukrainian membership of the european union but free trade -- a free trade agreement between the european union and the country that freely chose to enter into negotiations about that. it should not be possible for any other country to have a veto over any nation choosing to do that. >> mr. jack straw. >> thank you. the foreign secretary will be aware that in russia, the narrative to justify what we all regard as completely unjustified is a very differ one from here. from which thees

russian government sees has been the decision of ukrainian parliament to seek to change the law guaranteeing membership including russia. i welcome what the foreign secretary said about the interim president vetoing the law. wouldn't it be better to pressure the new interim government to repealing that legislation altogether? for as long as that law remains on their statute, this will be used by the russian government as a means of justifying their intervention. >> i am grateful for the gentlemen. an. the repeal of that law has not gone on to the statute book. the president vetoed it. however, i agree with the thrust of his question which there may can do to give

assurances on this to make sure that they have the language laws put itre entirely -- i to them yesterday. that should be one of the things that they work on and we will encourage the government of ukraine to do so. >> i am grateful for the second opportunity. as my friend recognize any parallels between russia's actions against georgia and its current policy and its current policy with ukraine? >> i do. while these actions have in common and although they parallel with that as well, i think it can be seen as an attempt to impair and permanently obstruct the proper operations of the free and

democratic functioning of these countries. the cooperation with the euro atlantic structures. that is a clear passion and behavior towards georgia and now it is being repeated in the ukraine. statesnd and the baltic are increasingly nervous of russia's expansion. the foreign secretary authority said there are still russian troops in georgia so is in this more incumbent upon us that we stand up as a whole european union, united, calm, but extremely robust lest the crimea be a 21st century waste-- >> i agree. all of the work is important. calm are allt, and required in this situation from the nations of the european union and from the european council when it meets on

thursday. the options are open on certain measures and as i have also said, it is important there are cost to behavior of this kind. i very strongly believe that. drawnt conclusions can be from the fact that russian troops in the crimea or have not been wearing any marks of identification or insignia? ini think this is particular in the early stages of the russian operation. that was designed to try to conceal the fact that it was a russian operation. however, all pretext about this was subsequently cast aside because many thousands of russian troops appeared to have been deployed to the crimea. it shows that this was a well-planned, perhaps a long and that itation

was put into operation in a way in which to try to minimize a reaction. layout the government position is as far sanctions are concerned against them. what is his view and cause for complete boycott of the olympic games? the olympics have happened. placeralympics are taking over the next couple of weeks. as i mentioned, we would not be sending u.k. government representatives there. the government does not believe in sporting boycotts of olympic events. athletes will continue to go to the paralympics and i am sure they will have the support and enthusiasm of this house and the great endeavors they will make theire. >> the me make clear that the

documents is not a statement of government policy. we also agreed that russia's actions are not just in breach of the u.n. charter and the budapest memorandum, but also the agreement that was established in the commonwealth of independent states. russia's actions have very serious implications for other members as well as ukraine. >> my friend make some very important points. document being carried into a meeting is necessarily representative of at all of the decisions that are made by the majesties government and the ministers. he is absolutely right about the invocations for other former soviet republics and their independence. that is why this is not an isolated issue.

it is not possible to say, this is just about the crimea and we don't have to worry about this. it does have very important implications for the upholding of international treaties and obligations and the respect for the independence and sovereignty of nationstates. >> the council of europe was established for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law and rush is a member. -- russia is a member. rockwool bc the council having in the situation -- what role do you see the council having in this situation? whitesmoke and to the council of europe about the role that they could play. they have important roles to play in any issue about the protection of minorities. it is not acceptable for a member of the council of europe to behave in this way and there must be consequences within the council of europe as well.

speaker, the foreign secretary will recall that last week when he made his statement i asked if he had received an assurance from foreign minister labral that russia would not intervene in ukraine. we have now seen they have done so. i wonder if my friend is able to confirm overnight reports from a friend of mine that the russians have been busing in russian citizens from outside ukraine to act as provocateurs. does this kind of action represent the return to the kind of soviet style foreign policy? confirm i cannot reports that my friend mentioned , i have heard other reports of the same effect including when i was in ukraine yesterday.

that why i said earlier questions asked about disturbances in eastern parts of ukraine, it is not clear whether they are inspired from outside. a clearthere has to be possibility that some of those are inside from outside the country and we should see them in that light. russia's ownng bank. up to two thirds of the russian money in london is from corruption and other crime but the very least, it is britain's top word that should anything. shouldn't those assets be frozen now? >> we do have very important regulations in this country about the lyrically exposed persons -- politically exposed persons. we have strong laws on money laundering.

i agree the review crania prime minister on asset recovery -- i agree with the ukrainian prime minister on asset recovery. i would only add at the moment given our experience on sanctions being applied to several parts of the world in recent years, we have to be legally very sure of our case to apply sanctions to individuals and have the evidence to sustain them through court proceedings. we have to bear that in mind. we were prepared to violate the territorial integrity of siberia to protect kosovo. we have the self-determination of russia's in crimea. while please resist the talk of economic sanctions that could only damage the fragile recovery of europe and engage in

to my dialogues -- diplomatic dialogues? everyare engaged in issue of diplomatic dialogues and that will continue. our diplomatic efforts will continue at all times. a response to have beyond that and that is why we have already put measures on the g8. thedid you has made -- why eu has put other options on the table. it is such a challenge to the international order. they cannot possibly go ahead without costs and consequences. >> france is currently negotiating a one billion euro

of ships being delivered to the russian navy. is there any indication that the french navy would make a part of the sanctions negotiations? >> we don't have any indications from france about that at the moment. will be further extensive meetings between european heads of government on thursday. the issue of arms exports licensings will be one of the issues and the european nations have to consider. come together to have united approach but it is one of the issues we must now examine. of the implications of what he said is that if the russians continue, they will be by the eu and nato and u.s. sanctions against russia, it will respond

by bertelli aiding its individual countries to try to crack the unity of that policy. is it confident that he can maintain that in the long run? i have stressed other points. it is the importance of unity among western nations including the european union on this, on the importance of being measures -- any measures being well judged and well targeted. requirewhy these things some calm and careful consideration rather than quick unilateral announcements by this country or any other of the member states of the eu. these actions should be condemned and there should be no apologies for what russia has done. is it not the case that the large majority of people in the crimea do feel a strong

attachment to russia and we all inw the impulsive actions 1954 when it was handed over to the ukraine by all parts of the soviet union. if we want to de-escalate the crisis, we're not talking about the second crimea war, is it not possible to find out through the democratic process what the people of crimea want? the majority would be along the lines i indicated. their view should be taken into account in this crisis. >> we are not talking about a new crimea war although the actions russia has taken, they have risked that for them a new crimea in war. i would make one point about this. there is a russian speaking majority in the crimea but that

my geordie -- that majority is run 50 to 60. there are important minorities in the crimea and their rights need to be respected as well. it is too simplistic approach to this to say the majority in crimea would like to be in a different situation from the current one and any referendum that is held should be held on the basis consistent with the constitution of the sovereign nation of ukraine. that is not the current proposal. the part of the problem is that ukraine is a deeply divided society in which both sides have laid at one time or another winner takes all. when he talks about the importance of maintaining a unified ukraine, does he agree with the conclusion a professor

when he says the only way to keep ukraine together may be through the introduction of a new federal constitution with much greater powers for the different regions? >> my friend makes a very valid point. it is for the ukrainians to decide on their constitutional structure. i am advocating they make the decisions in accordance with their constitution. it is for them to decide on that in the future. it is a country in which there is a strong case for more decentralization and there is a very strong case to turn away from the winner take all attitude in politics and strategically. i have gone after -- gone out of my way to stress the russia that we do not do this in zero-sum terms. although we welcome closer ties between the ukraine and the we recognizen, russia has entirely legitimate interests and relationships with

ukraine. we will continue to make that argument. we defined the backbones of too many european governments have included have appeared misplaced. the west is never seem to me more unable to stand up. infusedkness is clearly as a kgb thug. there must be sanctions. i can understand why he still is a member of the g8. >> we have made our announcement about the g-8. we must remember that we are working on diplomatic channels and progress. we have taken that decision -- she might disagree with that and say it should be entirely a reaction of imposing costs. to advocateen

diplomatic ways forward at the same time as making sure there are costs and consequences. i agree with the importance of there being costs and consequences. i would simply remind you that it is important to arrive at .hat in a united the robust way a bully like president putin -- none of that you have notice is much more important than that. the ruble is under severe pressure. will the foreign secretary agree economichat actually sanctions against russia will work even if there may be some cost to businesses in the u.k.? >> i think the gentleman had in

mind, it is important not to cases of mistaken identity -- identity. the foreign secretary. as i mentioned before, the options are open but any measures we take have to be well targeted and well guarded. my friend is right to point to what has happened on the moscow stock exchange, what happened to the value of the russian currency yesterday. there are major risks for russia economically and i expressed the view a few moments ago that in the medium to long term, russia needs the economic cooperation of european nations just as much or more than they need the cooperation of russia. this has got to become part of russia's copulations -- calculations. >> given putin's increasingly

not alence, is there danger that the west gets caught between strong words and no action? and on the other hand, the legitimate interests of russia both to the ports and the mediterranean port have also economic interest so in the sense providing him with some -- is there not a case for looking for a new deal which addresses some of those legitimate russian protects but also self-determination around russia's borders and also gives some confidence that both the president and the people that nato had limited ambitions around russia's border is i think that is part of the problem? >> we must be alert to the dangers. yes, be prepared to be

imaginative about long-term frameworks and solutions on this. i have to say that we have already made this argument to the foreign minister. we do recognize those born interest -- those russian interest but we're are not seeking a zero-sum strategic gain. there will be ways for the russian economy to benefit as well as the ukrainian economy. making hase we are been what we have seen over the last few days. it shows how difficult it is to construct such a global deal. light of the behavior, are you aware of the danger of a calm response being perceived as a weak response by russia?

>> we must be alert for that danger as well which is why it is important that there are costs and consequences to russia behaving in this way. aware.rs are very >> the organization for security and cooperation in europe has a huge opportunity to make a difference on the ground and assist with the de-escalation. what efforts are being supported at the osce headquarters to ensure that the largest scale monitoring mission is dispatched as soon as possible? >> there are two things that we are working on. i mentioned there are urgent consultations being taken place in vienna. one is the deployment of monitors to try to avoid the flash point we have been talking about. tofar, russia is refusing access such monitors into crimea.

perhaps there will be more that we could do in other parts of ukraine. we are also working on the creation of a contact group to try to open a new diplomatic channel and a forum for russia and ukraine to be able to discuss things. russia has not accepted that idea either. we are continuing to pursue both ideas. >> thank you. given what the foreign secretary just said about the recognition sensibilities of russia in this situation, does he recognize that the eu's ambitions of the eastern partnerships over the past 18 formed some responsibility for the relationships between russia and the ukraine? the expressedple,

views of the eu diplomats who actually stated or even threatened that the ukrainian leadership would have to come to the eu on their knees at the didn't do what the eu wanted? we are talking about an association agreement which remains on the table between the eu and ukraine. it is simply something that ukraine was willingly enter into. there is a requirement from the eu that they do that. it is a very different thing from eu membership. it was being discussed with the unicode which -- viktor yanukovych administration because they wanted to discuss it. inm everything i have seen ukraine, having been there on sunday and monday, there has been very strong political unity in that country that they

and they do want to enter into closer association with the european union. that is their right and decision. i think we should be prepared to defend their right to make those decisions. >> how close is the european reeing ono ag sanctions in response to russia's actions? how with is very from the approach the u.s. is taken? >> work is going on on this now. the foreign affairs council met yesterday and made the announcement i referred to. there will be further work among you in -- eu nations between now and the european council. the prime minister spoke to president hollande last night to coordinate our position. we will keep in close coordination with the united states on this. she will have to wait for the council on thursday.

economic sanctions would be very counterproductive and would require the much bolder approval of the entire eu members, but surely there is a case of targeted wine until sanctions against members of the russian elite living in the u.k. involved in the illegal invasion ofthe ukraine and suspected efforts made. >> there is a case. including the house, my friend make it a case as well for certain measures. i am not excluding the possibility of any of those. i simply return to what i was saying about it being well judged, well targeted, legal. these will be important considerations of the next few days. >> russia is increasingly belligerent foreign policy,

military aggression in crimea and georgia is funded by the exporter of gas and oil. what can the european union due to make particular countries in central and eastern europe lest appended upon oil and gas from russia and ukraine as well less dependent? >> there are many things they could do, some of which are under way. they can develop alternative energy supplies, including fracking. including as the united states becomes an energy exporter, there are alternative sources there in the future and sources -- the inauguration of of the new pipeline project from the caspian sea which will be a new

route for gas supplies into europe, not passing through russia, not from russia. this infrastructure will take time to develop but it is important to do so. the world is becoming increasingly unstable. this latest example to world peace is the classic case in my view. will the foreign secretary array with me -- agree with me that our country must rethink the funding of our armed forces to make sure we have the ships, the navy, the air force to me potential threats in the future. i am not hinting we should go to war on this case but it is a reminder we need to keep our defenses up. in an unstable world we do need to keep up our defenses, that is right. that is why this country is investing in some very sophisticated military projects for the future. as twotain the spending

percent of our gdp on defense. i do feel that many nato countries have or do stood up theirending -- reduced defense spending. we are one of the few countries that maintains the two percent spending on gdp. eightare countries across -- across nativity to reevaluate the defense spending. >> a partnership between ukraine and nato assigned. declaration did complement the charter that was signed. if you -- if possible nato involvement is ruled out, then are the signatures worth the paper they are written on? -ukraine commission has met on the back of those agreements. there will be further nato agreements -- meetings.

we are clear in this house. that we are not planning another crimea war. i am not sure what the member is advocating that nato should do, in addition to the diplomatic moves we have made through nato. those agreements with ukraine are important but they don't include coming to the arms defense of ukraine. >> thank you. delegationnservative has sought the -- the suspension from batch of russia from the council of europe. they decline to sit on the group. state saysecretary of what more the u.k. delegation could do for the council of europe as a whole and contributing towards the restoration of democracy and

human rights in ukraine? >> i think this is an issue to be raised vigorously. i welcome the decisions made by my conservative colleagues in the parliamentary assembly. there are russian representatives and other political groups in the council of europe and all political groups from russia are in one way or another approved by the kremlin. members may want to attend to those matters. i hope the members of all parties in the council of europe will pursue this vigorously in their sessions. >> the foreign secretary rightly of thed the vetoing legislation downgrading the russian language in ukraine, but he will also understand that the very fact they are prepared to

pass legislation caused severe concern for the 21st -- 20% of the russian population in ukraine. what further measures does he believe the ukrainian parliament should be taking to give real reassurance to that part of the population that they are not under threat? as we all for them, understand, this is for them to decide in their country. i did put it ukrainian ministers yesterday that in addition to consolidating the veto of the legislation in question, they should think about crafting a new language law that represents the consensus in their country and the long-term protection and upholding the rights of minority languages in ukraine. of aare in the midst crisis in the moment and we have to understand that what i hope that is a proposal they would take seriously.

my friend mentioned in a statement the creation of the contact group. has china said or done so far to assist in the situation? i read it out as russia and ukraine. china's role in this is important. china has spoken on the issue at the united nations security council. they have said, they have talked about the importance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of ukraine. i hope that is a statement imposition that china will be able to develop over the coming days. obviously the incursion of any foreign troops into the ukraine is wrong and could lead

to further wars, but does the foreign secretary not accept that part of the problem in the region has been this ambition of nato expansion further eastward and more and more nato and u.s. run bases within the region. isn't it time to bring it about the long-term neutrality and de-escalation of nato's presence on the borders of russia? is an action by russia that is hardly designed for less nato presence on russia's border. they will be anxious to have a stronger nato presence in the future and those countries in close proximity. this is a very counterproductive thing to do from that point of view. nato membership has not been a prospect for ukraine. in any caseexcuse, as so many members have said, for the actions we have seen

from russia over the last few days but it certainly is no wasification that ukraine about to join nato which is not something that was in any prospect. >> thank you. should we not just look back at the lessons of the last couple of decades? it is clear this current russian leadership is not really worried about this international obligations or treaties because what it has done as we has heard of ready -- as we have heard already, they have occupied a part of georgia. after a few diplomatic rumblings, everything went back to normal and he gives the impression they could go on doing that with impunity which is exactly what they have done. can i really urge my friend, particularly on thursday's european council, to push for the toughest possible economic sanctions? it is the only lesson they would learn otherwise we would see

again ander and over is not surprising the former soviet union countries are worried. >> this is why it is important that there are costs and consequences for what has occurred. i don't think i can add to what i said earlier. there are much measures -- there are measures we must take but i think it will lead over the coming years to european nations assessing their interests in a different way. it will have long-term consequences for russia's relationship with the rest of europe and that is something which should be of concern to them. whatever the measures we are able to take in the short term. from an area with very strong ukrainian community.

given the troubled history of democracy in the ukraine since its independence, ki asked the secretary -- the foreign secretary church the government in kiev and the major political parties to accept international to ensure-- observers it is fair and free as possible? >> yes. we will do that. i think this is important. i have stressed to the ukrainian leaders the importance of these elections being free and fair and well conducted. they have set a rapid timetable for them given the condition of the country at the moment for the 25th of may. international support for that is important. we will certainly pursue the points of observers for the elections.

i welcome the foreign secretary statements. i urge them to work with all the western allies and to have one voice. the realities of the u.k. in it -- and europe's energy dependence on ukraine and russia make it absolutely crucial that in addition to hitting the european union's targets, we hit the energy security at the top of the agenda? >> my friend is quite right. to strayt is important too far from the responsibilities of my colleagues that it is important that energy supply is not only efficient, but it is also sufficiently diverse for security. i think this will become an even

more important consideration. >> even the dangers in the situation, but discussions have the circuit to this -- did the foreign secretary have to ensure that the ukrainian people have free access to sources of information of what is actually happening in that country? >> this is a very important point in a very difficult point for them because there are many regions of the ukraine where russian state television is broadcast and the people are hearing one side, very much one partial side of the argument. they are taking -- from what i can see, they are taking correct steps to correct misinformation. dear giving maximum information to the world media but i think this is one of those occasions

where it is important for people to use the social media and to listen to different sources of information because they will receive the truth from one source. my friends have alluded to the danger of crimea becoming another frozen conflict. georgia,ia occupied thousands of georgians had to flee their homes across the border. thinkteps does my friend the international community should take to protect the rights of ethnic ukrainians in crimea? >> this is also an important issue. it is one of the reasons we want to see ukraine and russia be able to talk to each other about the diplomatic settlement of these issues. it is a very complex issue given the range of minorities within crimea.

it is not possible at the moment for people to leave. road and air access out of crimea is extremely difficult but there could be very serious mediums implications. it is another strong argument for russia to engage with a contact group or in consultations under the budapest memorandum rather than have this problem build up over the coming weeks. >> for many years, and the majority of the delegates of the council of europe have been in putin's group as russian party and they have collaborated closely on what many policies were created. can we take it that this breach is a permanent one and the conservatives will be joining me

in the christian democrat party? >> what was said earlier i conservative -- by conservative bers, they have made clear that the parson of -- the parts are of previous arrangements. there have been members of the so-called liberal democratic party from russia which is a very nationalistic party and the socialist group. some attention needs to be given to this at the other side of the house as well. this morning i was speaking to the parents of my godchild. they described the rapture in which the people of crimea. they are actually concerned about the illegal and ross and appalling behavior of the movement.

i asked the secretary of state to give full attention to this gang of unpleasant creatures and to emphasize that the conduct must be reformed. >> my friend raises another important dimension to this situation and things which now need to be bgripped. the ability for the united kingdom to do that is very small but this is the reason why we are exerting the pressure that we are for a diplomatic settlement. unless russia and ukraine speak directly about these things, unless russia is willing to, then all of these issues are going to get much worse in the coming days. they will become a growing problem for russia as well is ukraine -- as ukraine. >> what reassurance can the foreign secretary get to the ukrainian community?

him -- can i ask him if they could have unity on standards for example, germany of imports from russia. can you get an agreement on that? hashe ukrainian community played a very important role in this country. this is a moment to recognize and applaud that and they could be assured as you can see from everything i've been saying about the importance and energy withll put in to assisting the peaceful, democratic future for ukraine. -- i'veuestion about addressed that several times. it is important that there were constant consequences but it is also important to change over the long term.

of economic relationship, including the energy relationship between european nations and russia and we will beginning our attention to that. must give whatever credible support we can to the free people and government of ukraine. one of russia's abilities it is desperate need to capture investment. reasonable needs of interrupting capital investment flow to russia if mr. putin does not step back in this unjustified aggression? -- severalanother proposals have been put forward. i have not ruled out any of these options. , economic and financial options are open depending on consultations of other countries and depending on the course of events over the next few days. >> jonathan edwards. it will be looking at economic sanctions, including

the flow into the city of london. the u.s. is considering doing a course of action that that would be largely ineffective. in ruling out such actions, is it not the case for the interests of u.k. foreign policy international response would be -- >> i think he has been here for the last hour. out any ofruled those things. there is no measure so far that has been proposed by any of our allies that the united kingdom has blocked. i will explain the actions we take -- we have not ruled out any options. it will be taken with our allies with careful consideration and depending on the next events of the next few days. memorandumpest marked a very substantial piece

taken by ukraine and substantial in terms of the number of weapons that ukraine held at that time. the secretary of state has been cleared about the obligations placed on russia. what obligations are placed on us as a signature? >> our obligations are to support as we do the independence and territorial integrity of ukraine. it doesn't placed on us an obligation to take armed action about that. it provides in article six of the memorandum for consultation between the signatories. that is what we and the united states are proposing for tomorrow. secretary kerry and i and the acting foreign minister of ukraine will be in paris tomorrow. there is an opportunity for us to have consultations under the budapest memorandum.

that is the technical answer. that is what it provides for. further to the point of the secretary's comments, the u.k. andived a limited supply exposure to consequences for the rest of europe. what do you do about ensuring the security of the supplies so does not end up limiting our ability to take actions against russians? with the gentleman is raising is very important but it is more of a medium to longer-term issue. there are important things we're doing now to a different side -- diversify energy supplies in europe. one of them was the new pipeline which we inaugurated the construction of in december but that will take several years to construct.

although this is a medium to long term issue, i think what has just happened will be a sharp reminder to everyone in europe that it is an important issue. dealing with it is going to become one of the important foreign-policy security issues over the next few years. >> this is a test with united test fort it is also a the european union. i want to know what discussions you had with your german counterpart. you mentioned the word united. whether the germans are part of that united effort. there are others watching in the international community to see if there is resolutions, not

least in beijing web different aspirations. >> my friend makes a good point. have very regular discussions with my german counterpart, including at the weekend. the prime minister spoke with us last night in addition to discussions that she had last thursday. we will be working closely with germany on this and we would be looking for a clear united position at the european council on thursday. part the fact in there are serious concerns with putin and his government. with the same thing happening in russia as is happening ukraine? i think russia is a country, as many countries where foreign-policy is determined by

domestic pressure. what happened 10 days ago in ukraine was a major reverse for russian foreign-policy. in many ways, many would've thought the humiliation. i think there are many explanations for why russia chose to do the actions they did. one of them was try to alleviate that humiliation. nothing less than a land grab and the biggest strategic shock on the continent for decades if putin gets away with this, more trouble will follow in central and eastern europe. agree the west needs to unify around the much more robust response that we have seen so far and that in support of it, the u.k. should emigrate

-- demonstrate it is actively considering all forms of economic sanctions? >> >> and we are actively considering a wide range of options here. i have not rolled any option now. i'm sure you noticed in these questions. i think the response that we have made so far is correct. we have emphasized the need for new diplomatic openings as well as for there to be cost and consequences for this russian action. but in the absence of a change of policy from russia, we will have to move on to making sure those costs and consequences do take place. mentionedtleman whatt wise in considering sanctions may be used against russia. as any had need conversations with his colleagues about the military technical corporation

agreement which i understand is due to be signed in the next few weeks? >> she is quite right that we have been due to agree to sign with russia in the near future. , theis situation chancellors that are doing -- chances of us doing that are rather reduced, to put it mildly. we have not made a formal decision about that. we are reviewing that and we will decide about it in conjunction with any other measures that we choose to adopt. >> given what russia has been allowed to do in mold over -- moldova, it may write a repeating crimea. will the russians feared that the international community will act differently? here withre parallels

the parts of georgia. has certainly been able to live with any consequences of those actions in the past. this is a repetition of that but on an even greater scale and that is why we say that in response to this, there have to be costs and consequences to deter the repetition of these events in the future. what are the other cost and consequences? he has mentioned veto restriction but surely restricting a few people from entering is not sufficient to meet the bar given how much to gain fromit has its current actions. will he say what else is actively on the table? >> no. consistent with all the answers i have given before, the european union has referred to targeted measures.

i refer to well targeted legal measures. i have not excluded anything. many other members have made interesting proposals during the course of their statements. i stressed before that it is important we take first measures as there to be unity as well them to be well-judged and well-targeted. that means we have to work on them together in the european union and that is what we are doing now. >> why does my friend believe that the president putin clearly feels he will get away with this? what are we in the rest of the free world doing wrong if putin believes he can act with impunity as he clearly does? saying to my honorable friend a moment ago, there have been previous russian actions which might be considered a model for this, in georgia and moldova.

russia has not felt sharp consequences as a result of that. that is no doubt in emboldening factor. i think russians have been earned by the imperative i was referring to a moment ago of trying to alleviate or reverse the major setback for russian foreign-policy that took place only 10 days ago in ukraine and also possibly by the desire, much earlier in response to answers to questions, permanently to impair the free and democratic operation of atlanticand its euro- aspirations. there is a mixture of motives. it is important that we raise the penalties and consequences for acting on those motives. >> even if russia won't agree at --, isn't that a

case for a rapid deployment as if they go tole other areas of ukraine? that may well deter an invasion of -- an incursion of russia -- >> this is an important point. it is one of the things we are pursuing that we hope the united nations representatives will also discuss with three ukraine. , two years ago, the house unanimously endorsed the present will -- the principles of asset freezes and visa bans on those responsible for crimes against humanity in russia and beyond. in light of the situation in ukraine, i urge you to look closely at the target sanctions ordering thethose

incursion in ukraine, a clear violation of the cardinal rule. my honorable friend has consistently pursued this over a long time. have the power to refuse entry into the u.k. two re believedwe a to be guilty of serious human rights violations. i'm not excluding any auctions and what we sighed to do -- options in what we decide to do. it >> with all of this unfolding, there is a great amount of concerns in nations like with a when he and poland about their future. what reassurance does my right honorable friend giving our nato partners that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them in defense of their sovereignty and independence? do. think they know that we these countries are very important members of nato.

i mentioned earlier that our strong commitment to nato, including maintaining the strongest armed forces in europe, all around, but it will be important for other countries strengthen their own military budgets and defenses over the coming years. that is something i have advocated for a long time. i think it would be of additional insurance to them. >> president putin has shown very clearly that under his leadership, russia will not respect the border and the sovereignty of a friendly neighbor. as a president who prides himself in answering russia's self-interest, should he not be alarmed to the market reaction of that? shouldn't the individual states of the european notion -- european union decide -- how can invest in russia? >> that is an important point.

i think russia will have underestimated the longer-term consequences of the action that they have just taken because there is an important read across to upholding international law on other issues. the reaction of the world over the long term will tend to diminish the influence of russia in the world. as well as shed a new light on russia's insistence on sovereignty in other international disputes. this will have very far-reaching consequences and those have not been fully appreciated yet in moscow. there is a vibrant ukrainian unity and they are concerned about family and loved ones. while the attention has been on the ukraine, what assessment do you make of the civil unrest in

other cities across the rest of the city -- country? the areas aren't important consideration as well. her's have been a potent -- the areas are important consideration as well. new governors have been appointed and the acting you president of ukraine has told us about the care he is taken to do that so that there is an inclusive approach to the regional and local government. there have been disturbances in some of those cities although there is some evidence that those have been planned externally. we don't have any proof of that. there is some evidence of that. i hope that, will return to those parts of the ukraine. should the people of the

crimea and elsewhere in ukraine seek a -- to determine their sovereign feature? what can this government give to ensure that those are conducted freely and fairly and not under the arm of the russian government? >> we can't give much assistance in ensuring that. if it takes place in an area controlled by the russian military. clearly, we will not be able to give a guarantee. suchuld be far better for referendums to be held under the constitution with international observers in the way that was described. but the referendum that was land for the 30th of march under the eyes or guns of the russian military is not one in which we could have at same level to

which we could give that same level of assistance. clarification from my right honorable friend, the foreign secretary, in the event of there being a legally and free constituted reference and on sovereignty in crimea under the ukrainian constitution, that the budapest memorandum of 1994 would not be an impediment to that? .> these are big if's is not the situation at all at the moment. the referendum proposing crimea is not legally constituted under the ukrainian constitution. we are a long way from that situation. the united kingdom will always knows,respect, as he democracy and the principles

that we believe in, of human rights and so often included self-determination, whenever they are truly and freely and legally expressed. complex severity may one day full debate on this issue. combat since must were fixed, distinctive emblems recognizable at a distance. do you agree that the russia must abide by the geneva conventions? >> my honorable friend makes a crucial point.

despite having the last question, has managed -- i thought he had the last question. he has managed to make a new point in a very pertinent one. there are reasons why soldiers should wear the insignia of their country and the most terrible misunderstanding can occur without that. he is quite right about that. the subject of debate, the legal house is not in his place but i'm sure that he is always aware of requests and he will of heard that particular one. does my friend agreed that russia's provocative warmongering provoke its weakness? being frightened of that, should we not warmly welcomed the ukraine as a europe?l ally in the

4 -- >> as far as i could see, the effects of the russian intervention have been to solidify the determination of ukrainians about their own independence, including among leading figures in the region representing the east and the south of ukraine. ishink my honorable friend also right, that this is an action born of weakness rather than of strength. it is a response, as i was arguing a few minutes ago, to a major reverse and an effort to alleviate that. ukraine, i think the people of ukraine will be all the more ownrmined to pursue their sovereign right, including a closer relationship with the european union. honorable are made in the

-- >> i was going to asked how long will it take for ukraine to become a member of the eu, assuming that is what they want, and should they not prefer trade with all of the neighbors? hope ukraine will be able to trade with all of its neighbors, including russia. the european union membership is not what is on offer to ukraine. that is not what is being discussed or debated. , ais association with the eu deep and comprehensive free trade area. these are the things that are on offer. i think any possibility of eu membership is too distant to be any realistic possibility in the foreseeable future.

the israeli-palestinian conflict area this is 45 minutes. ♪ >> we are honored to be joined this morning by the prime minister of israel, benjamin netanyahu. [applause]

like churchill in the 1930's, the prime minister has long been a voice in the wilderness. early to warn the world about the threat of terrorism and radical islam. he has fought the international campaign to you legitimize de-legitimize israel and argued the threat of a nuclear rise iran not just to israel but the entire world. , join me inentlemen state ofng the first

israel [applause] . mr. prime minister, today the american pro-israel community is gathered. send a clear, to message back to the message -- people of israel. those of us in this room and millions more across this country support israel's struggle for peace and security. thank you for your leadership and thank you for being with us today. ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to welcome the prime minister of the state of israel, benjamin netanyahu. [applause] ♪

[applause] >>.gov very much -- thank you very much. thank you.

thank you. thank you very much. thank you. i bring you greetings from jerusalem. [applause] capital of undivided israel and the jewish people. [applause] i want to thank all of you for working so tirelessly to strengthen the alliance between israel and america. israel forpport for that alliance is at an all-time high and i can tell you that

there is no country on earth that is more pro-american than israel. [applause] i want to thank the leaders of aipac, the officers of aipac, the 14,000 deltek -- delegates of aipac, the members of congress, the members of the , and our twonment able ambassadors, the ambassador of israel to the united states and the ambassador of the united states to israel, and our u.n. ambassador.ice -- i want to thank you all for safeguarding and nurturing the most precious alliance in the world, the alliance between israel and the united states of america. [applause]

my friends, i have come here to draw a clear line. you know that i like to draw lines. [laughter] especially red ones. draw today ist to the line between life and death, wrong,ween right and between the blessings of a brilliant future and the curses of a dark past. i stood very close to that dividing line tubing weeks ago -- two weeks ago. i visit in army in the golan

heights. that field hospital was not set up for israelis. it was set up for syrians. [applause] israel has treated nearly a thousand will and syrians -- wounded syrians. men, women, and a lot of children. they come to our borders bleeding and desperate. often, they are near death. two suchit i met syrians. a shell-shocked father and is badly wounded five-year-old boy. man'sdays earlier, the wife and baby daughter were bombsto bits by iranian dropped by assad's air force. now, the grieving father was

holding his little boy in his arms and israeli doctors were struggling to save the boy's life. , and from thehem other patients there, what all the syrians who have been treated in israel say. they all tell the same story. they say, all these years, assad has lied to us. he told us that iran was our friend and israel was our enemy. but iran is killing us and israel, israel is saving us. [applause] those syrians discovered what you have always known to be true . in the middle east, bludgeoned

by her tree and -- by butchery and barbara some, israel is humane. israel is compassionate. israel is a force for good. [applause] that border that runs 100 yards east of that field hospital is the dividing line between decency and depravity, between compassion and cruelty. tandse one side s israel, animated by the values we cherish. thou use that move was to treat

sick palestinians, thousands from gaza. they come to our hospitals. we treat them despite the fact that terrorist that gaza hurled thousands of rockets at our city. it is the values that inspire is really medics and restaurateurs to rush to the centers of natural disasters across the world. to haiti, japan, the philippines, too many stricken lands. on the other side of that moral divide, steeped in blood and savagery, stand the forces of terror. a, al assad, as will qaeda, and many others. about seriousear sending a field hospital anywhere? iranou ever hear about sending a humanitarian delegation overseas? you missed that memo? [laughter]

do you know why you haven't heard anything about that? because the only thing that iran sends abroad are rockets, terrorist, and missiles to murder, maine, and amendments -- maim, and meanace the innocent. [applause] what the iranian regime does abroad is similar to what they do to their own people. they execute hundreds of political alert -- political prisoners. a throw thousands more into their jails and they repress millions in a brutal theocracy. if you want to understand the moral divide that separates israel from its enemies, just hezbollah.he head of

iran andhis -- hezbollah love death and israel loves life and that is why, he hezbollah will win and israel will lose. well, he is right about the first point. they do glorify death and we do sanctify life. but he is dead wrong on the second point. it is precisely because we love life that israel shall win. [applause] in the past year, iran's radical

regime has tried to blur the moral divide and wheels out it smiling president and its move-talking foreign minister. if you listen to their soothing with, they are not square a ron's aggressive actions. iran says they only want a peaceful nuclear program. why is it building a heavy water reactor, which has no purpose in a purple -- in a peaceful nuclear program? iran says it has nothing to hide. white does it ban inspectors from its secret military sites? not divulge the secrets of its military nuclear activities? they absolutely refuse to say word about that. iran says it is not building nuclear weapons. why does it continue to build

icbms, intercontinental ballistic missiles, whose only purpose is to carry nuclear warheads? unlike scud missiles which are limited to a range of a few hundred miles, icbms can cross orans and strike right now very soon. the eastern seaboard of the united states, washington, and very soon after that, everywhere else in the united states, up to l.a. iran's missiles can already reach israel. those icbm's that they are building, they are not intended for us. remember that beer commercial? bud's for for you -- you? [laughter] iran building icbms, remember that at scud is for you.

only the americans got that joke. [laughter] it is not only that iran does not walk the walk. in the last few weeks, they don't even bother to talk the talk. not's leaders say they will his mental a single centrifuge, they will not discuss their ballistic missile program, and guess what tune they are singing in tehran? it is not "god bless america." it is "death to america." they chant this as brazenly as ever. -- iranmy point continues to stand unabashedly on the wrong side of the moral divide and that is why we must continue to stand unequivocally on the right side of that divide. we must oppose iran and stand up

for what is right. [applause] my friends, yesterday met with president obama, vice president biden, secretary kerry, and the leaders of the u.s. congress. we had very good meetings. i thank them for their strong support for israel. [applause] for our security, including in the vital area of missile defense. i said that the greatest threat to our common security is that of a nuclear-armed iran. we must prevent iran from having the capability to produce nuclear weapons. i want to redirect -- reiterate that point.

not just to prevent them from having the weapon, but to prevent them from having the capacity to make the weapon. [applause] must dismantle iran's heavywater reactor and its underground enrichment facilities. we must get rid of iran's centrifuges and its stockpiles of enriched uranium and we must insist that iran fully divulge the military dimensions of its nuclear program. 17 countries around the world have peaceful nuclear energy programs. they are doing this without spinning centrifuges, without enriching uranium, without operating heavywater facilities, and without conducting military nuclear research. onyou know why iran insists

doing all of these things that the other peaceful countries do not do? it is because iran does not want a peaceful nuclear program. iran once a military nuclear program. i said it here once, i will say it here again -- if it looks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, if a quack like a duck, what is it? it ain't a chicken. it is certainly not a dove. it is still a nuclear duck. [applause] unfortunately, the leading powers of the world are talking about leaving iran with the capability to enrich uranium. i hope they do not do that. error.uld be a grave

iranuld leave the ron -- as a threshold nuclear power. to rapidlyable iran develop nuclear weapons at a time when the world's attention and we seeelsewhere as we speak that that could happen. ,n one part of the world today tomorrow and another part, maybe north korea. just remember what he wrote a few years ago. he wrote this in a rare moment of candor. if a country can enrich uranium even to a low-level, it can effectively produce nuclear weapons. precisely. leaving iran is a threshold nuclear power would deliver a death blow to non-proliferation.

iran is an outlaw state. it has multiple -- violated multiple un security council resolutions prohibiting enrichment. if we allow this outlaw, terrorist state to enrich uranium, how could we serious that -- seriously demand any other country not enrich uranium? i believe that letting iran enrich uranium would open up the floodgates. ofwould up a pandora's box nuclear proliferation in the middle east and around the world. that must not happen. [applause] we will make sure it does not happen. letting the worst terrorist regime on the planet get atomic bombs would endanger everyone and it certainly would endanger israel since i run openly calls for our destruction.

70 years ago, our people, the jewish people, were left for dead. we came back to life. we will never be brought to the break of extinction again. [applause] as prime minister of israel, i will do what ever i must do to defend the jewish state of israel. [applause]

you know, i am often asked whether israel truly once diplomacy to succeed. my answer is, of course we want diplomacy to succeed. no country has a greater interest in the peaceful elimination of the iranian nuclear threat. will not be eliminated by just any agreement . only by an agreement that requires iran to fully dismantle its military nuclear capabilities. [applause] you know how you get that agreement with iran? not by relieving pressure, but by adding pressure. [applause] pressure is what brought iran to

the negotiating table in the first place and only more pressure will get them to abandon their nuclear weapons program. greater pressure on iran will not make war more likely. it will make war less likely. iranreater the pressure on , the greater the pressure on iran and the more credible of force on iran, the smaller the chance the forceful ever have to be used. peace isd gentlemen, israel's highest aspiration. i'm prepared to make a historic peace with our palestinian neighbors. [applause] peace that would and a century of conflict and bloodshed. us. would be good for

this would be good for the palestinians. thee would also open up possibility of establishing formal ties between israel and leading companies -- leading countries in the arab world. and leave me,ers, this is a fact. many arab leaders today already realize that israel is not their enemy but peace with the palestinians would turn our relations with them and with many arab countries into open and thriving relationships. [applause] the combination of israeli innovation and golf entrepreneurship, to take one example -- i think this combination could catapult the entire region forward. i think that together, we could

resolve -- actually solve the region's water and energy problems. israel has half the rainfall that we had 65 years ago. we have 10 times the population. our gdp has shot up, thank god. we have half the rainfall, 10 times the population, and our water use goes up. which country in the world is not have water problems? israel. [applause] why? technology and innovation. we could make that available to our arab neighbors throughout the region. waterld solve the problems, we can solve the energy problems, we could improve agriculture, we can withve education, health diagnostics on the internet. all that is possible. we could better the lives of hundreds of millions. we all have so much to gain from peace.

that is why want to thank the indomitable john kerry. new york and tel aviv, those are the cities that never sleep. john kerry is definitely the city -- secretary of state that never sleeps. [applause] i have got the bags under my eyes to prove it. we are working together literally day and night to seek a door both these, -- a durable peace, and the mutual recognition of two nationstates. [applause] israel is the nationstate of the jewish people. with the civil rights of all citizens, and jews and non-jews alike, are guaranteed. the land of israel is worthy identity of the jewish people was forged.

it was there were jacob dreamed his dreams. it was in jerusalem where david rolled his kingdom. we never forget that, but it is time the palestinians stop denying history. [applause] just as israel is prepared to recognize a palestinian state, the palestinians must be prepared to recognize a jewish state. [applause] the president recognized the

jewish state and in doing so, yourould be telling people, the palestinians, that while we might have a territorial dispute, the right of the jewish people to a state of their own is beyond dispute. [applause] you would be telling palestinians to abandon the fantasy of flooding israel with refugees were amputating parts of the galilee and recognizing the jewish state, you would finally make clear that you are truly prepared to and the conflict -- end the conflict. recognize the jewish state. no excuses, no delays, it is time. [applause]

my friends, it may take years, it may take decades for this formal acceptance of israel to filter down to all ayers of palestinian society. ace is to be more than a brief interlude between long-termel needs security arrangements on the ground to protect the peace and to protect israel if the peace unravels. though security arrangements would also a special always be though security arrangements would always be important but it would be war important when the peace in the middle east unravels. three years ago, our region was a very different place. , anyonene sitting here listening to us -- can anyone

tell me and be sure what the middle east would look like 5, 10, 20 years from now? that the security of .srael on our father's hopes in the middle east, that is usually a losing bet. we should always hope for the best, but in the middle east we have to be prepared for the worst. despite the best of hopes, international peacekeeping forces sent to neville -- lebanon, gaza, sinai, and golan heights, a did not prevent those -- areas fromming becoming armed strongholds against israel. if we reach in agreement with the palestinians as i hope -- i don't delude myself. that peace will most certainly come under attack, constant

attack, by hezbollah, hamas, al qaeda, and others. thatience has shown foreign peacekeepers, foreign peacekeeping forces, whether they keep the peace only when there is peace. when they are subjected to repeated attacks, those forces eventually go home. as long as the pieces under assault, the only force that can be relied on to defend the peace forcefend israel is the defending its own home, the israeli army, the brave soldiers of the idf. [applause]

i will reveal to you a secret. win theition may not universal praise. that occasionally happens when i stake out positions. i am charged with protecting the security of my people, the people of israel, and i will never gamble with the security of the one and only jewish state. [applause] as we work in the coming days, coming weeks to forge a door peace, ie -- a durable hope that palestinian leadership will stand with israel and the united states on the right side of the moral divide. the site up these, thenciliation, and hope --

side of peace, reconciliation, and hope. you can clap. [applause] you want to encourage them to do that. i do, and i know you do, too. thank you. that is definitely on the wrong side of the moral divide is the movement to boycott israel. [applause] that movement will fail. [applause] why.e tell you [applause] i want to explain to you why. beyond our traditional trading , countries throughout

asia, africa, latin america where i will soon be going, these countries are flocking to israel. technologys really to help transform their technology their countries as it has hours. it is not just the small countries that are coming to israel. it is also the superpowers. superpowerse other -- apple, google, microsoft, yahoo! acebook, they come because they want to benefit from israel's unique ingenuity and innovation. the boycott movement is not going to stop that any more than the arab boycott movement could stop israel from becoming a global technological power. they're going to fail. [applause]

in the knowledge-based century, israel's best economic days are ahead of it, mark my words. [applause] wait, wait. i don't want you to get complacent. [laughter] the fact that they're going to fail doesn't mean that the bds movement should not be vigorously opposed. they should be opposed because they are bad for peace and they -- and because bds is just plain wrong. [applause] most people in the bds movement don't seek a solution forced to states and two people. on the contrary, they openly admit that they seek the

dissolution of the only state for the jewish people. they are not seeking peace. they are not seeking reconciliation. some of their gullible fellow travelers actually do believe that bds advances peace. the opposite is true. bds sets back piece because it hardens palestinian positions and it makes mutual compromise less likely. i think these are all important points, but not the critical one. the critical is that eds is morally wrong. it turns morality on its head. this is the main point. alln tell you israel, like states, is not beyond criticism. we have a boisterous democracy. everyone has an opinion and believe me, no one in israel is

shy about expressing it -- about anything. in israel, self-criticism is on steroids. aboves movement is not legitimate criticism. israel the making legitimate. it presents a distorted and twisted picture of israel to be naïve and the ignorant. farce.nothing but a here is why -- listen. in dozens of countries, academics are imprisoned for their beliefs. the universities of which country does bds want to sanction and boycott? israel. he won country in the middle east were professors can say, write, and teach what they

want. throughout the middle east, christians are fleeing for their lives. in what country does bds want churches to divide -- divest from? israel. the one country in the middle east that protects christians and the right of worship for everyone. [applause] throughout the middle east, and womens are jailed are denied their most basic rights. which country does bds want to sanction? take a guess. israel, the only country in the s, aon with a free pres progressive gay rights record, and where women have presided over each of the three branches of government. [applause] this -- and anyone can verify this -- you have to wonder, how could anyone fall

for the b.s. in bds? [laughter] [applause] well, you should not be surprised. run history people believe the most outrageous, absurd thing about the jews. oft were using the blood children to bake, that we were spreading the plague throughout europe, that we were plotting to take over the world. say, how can can educated people today believe the nonsense spewed by bds about israel? that should not surprise you, either. some of history's most influential thinkers and writers dostoevsky, t.s. eliot, many others, spread the

the preposterous lies about jewish people. it is hard to should prejudices that have been ingrained in consciousness over millennia. from antiquity to the middle ages to modern times, jews were boycotted, discriminated against, and singled out. out of thesingling jewish people has turned into the singling out of the jewish state. , divest, andoycott sanction israel, the most threatened democracy on earth, are simply the latest chapter in history ofd dark anti-semitism. [applause] those who wear the bds label should be treated exactly as we bigot.ny anti-semite or they should be exposed and condemned. the boycotters should be boycotted. [applause]

everyone should know what the --ters bds really stand for bigotry, dishonesty, and shame. [applause] , ikee who oppose bds scarlett johansson, they should be applauded. [applause]