Lords committee hears from former British ambassadors to the US and in a separate session, meets with a Ministerial delegation from Ukraine

The first session will take place on Wednesday 5 March at 10.30am. During the session, the Committee will hear from four former British ambassadors to the United States as it begins its inquiry into the UK’s future relationship with the US.  The Committee will use the session to gain initial insights into the UK-US relationship. It will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.

Giving evidence will be:

• Dame Karen Pierce, former British Ambassador to the United States (until February) and incoming UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans;
• Sir Peter Westmacott, former British Ambassador to the United States (until 2016);
• Sir Nigel Sheinwald, former British Ambassador to the United States (until 2012); and
• Sir David Manning, former British Ambassador to the United States (until 2007)

Questions will include:

• How crucial is it for the UK to maintain its ‘special relationship’ with the US? Is the balance sheet a positive one for the UK?
  
  
• What does the US political establishment in general, and President Trump, in particular, expect from the relationship—and how does this align with UK expectations?
  
  
• In what areas do you foresee the greatest potential for cooperation between the US and UK over the next decade or so? Conversely, what are the likely friction points that could make cooperation challenging?
  
  
• Do you expect any challenges to the transatlantic relationship resulting from the UK Government seeking a reset in UK-EU relations; and, if so, how might these be addressed?
  
  
• There is bipartisan support in the US for a more hawkish approach towards China and this US Administration (and any subsequent ones) may ask the UK for support in measures against China. How should the UK seek to navigate the US-China rivalry?

On Thursday 6 March at 11:00am the Committee will hold a separate, non-inquiry evidence session in which it will meet with a Ministerial delegation from Ukraine. The session will focus on the forcible removal of c.20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-occupied territories: the ‘Bring Kids Back’ initiative and the wider human rights and humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

It will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.

Giving evidence will be:

• Liudmyla Suhak, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine for European Integration; and
• Daria Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Operations Director at Bring Kids Back UA at Government of Ukraine.

Questions will include:

• Could you describe to us the experience of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia or Russian-held territories, the work of ‘Bring Kids Back’, and what progress has been made in returning these children to their parents or guardians?
  
  
• What role has the international community played in assisting with the return of the forcibly removed children, and is there any further support you would like it to provide? Is there anything the UK specifically can do to assist?
  
  
• What are the main challenges to reintegrating returned children? How is Ukraine seeking to overcome those challenges?
  
  
• What discussions, if any, are taking place with the Trump Administration about ensuring that the return of and support for these children, as well as Russian accountability, features in the peace negotiations?
  
  
• What impact is the targeting of critical national infrastructure by Russia having on the Ukrainian civilian population? How are the Ukrainian authorities and the international community responding to the humanitarian needs this is creating?

The Committee’s September 2024 report ‘Ukraine: a wake-up call’ will also be debated in the Moses Room on Thursday 6 March at 1pm.  Watch the debate live on Parliament TV.