ALEX SOBEL: ‘Russia’s battle in Ukraine is about crushing democracy’
‘Russia is creating a broader conflict to meet its war aims of capturing not just Ukrainian land, but its people and their culture too’, Alex Sobel, Labour MP and chair of the Ukraine APPG writes
We look around the world at the terrible conflicts and losses of life whether in Ukraine, Gaza or Sudan, and think it cannot happen here. However, we are already in a hybrid conflict with Russia. Missiles and bombs might not be landing on our streets, but a subtler conflict is happening.
Russia has sent spy ships to map and attack undersea cables carrying the internet and electricity, fired lasers at RAF planes and jammed GPS signals of UK ships. Let’s not forget that Dawn Sturgess was murdered by Russian agents in Salisbury in 2018.
Everyday the UK faces cyber aggression from Russia, with Russian Ransomware gangs, linked to the Kremlin, already operating against the UK. Attempts to close down key infrastructure like our electricity system or rail network is a likely future threat, the UK Government has warned.
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The war in Ukraine sees a frontline which has only moved a few miles all year. Therefore, Russia is creating a broader conflict to meet its war aims of capturing not just Ukrainian land, but its people and their culture too. However, Russia wouldn’t end there, they want to see the democracy and freedoms we all cherish extinguished. This isn’t a war about territory. Russia is already by far the largest country in the world with vast swathes of unpopulated land, but this is a war about autocracy crushing democracy. This is a war we cannot afford to lose.
The centre of any peace agreement that Ukraine would agree to has to include a security guarantee. In 1994, the UK, the US and France signed an agreement to guarantee the security and independence of Ukraine, and Russia not to use Military Force against Ukraine, in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons. In 2014, Russia broke the agreement and we did nothing. In 2022, Russia expanded the war to all of Ukraine in response to the weakness we and our allies had shown. We then began to support Ukraine by sending Military Aid and defence capabilities.
This time, Ukraine rightly will not accept weak security guarantees if they agree to a ceasefire with Russia. If a ceasefire is reached, Ukraine wants us and our NATO allies to station troops in Ukraine to deter a continuation of this war.
Our troops are already stationed in Estonia. Other NATO countries deploy down the border of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Therefore, our troops are already exposed to Russia if they wanted to expand this war. We are bound to defend Estonia against Russia like we were bound to defend Poland against the Nazis 86 years ago.
I dearly hope a ceasefire is reached soon but we must be prepared to back our words with strength and show Russia we will not bow to their aggression.
‘We want British music to thrive’
As Chair of the Music APPG and a regular supporter of Leeds’ local music scene, I understand how important music venues and recording studios are to the UK’s £8 billion music industry. They are the quiet power behind the music we enjoy, and provide so many jobs and opportunities. Starting in April 2026, these venues will no longer receive the Government’s new business rates relief. Betting shops and massage parlours will benefit, but the places where our musicians ply their trade and the albums are actually produced will not. Studios and venues are already dealing with rising rents and high energy costs. Half of them predict having to close within a year. When a venue or studio shuts down, it’s gone for good. If we want British music to not just survive but thrive, we need to extend rates relief now.
‘Government should put a cap on party donations’
The jailing of former Welsh Reform UK leader, Nathan Gill, for taking pro-Russian bribes is a stark reminder of the sinister influence of money over politics. Yet even legal donations – like the £9 million gifted to Nigel Farage by a Thailand-based crypto-millionaire – begs serious questions about what is wanted in return. The Government should put a cap on donations and spending so power rests with Britain’s voters, not the highest bidder.
‘Class divide between renters and homeowners is going to shrink’
Looking to 2026, new year new rights: the Renters Right Act. My work banning more than 1 months rent in advance and regulating the student letting season were my proudest achievements of 2025. As of May 2026, the class divide between renters and homeowners is going to shrink more than it’s done in a generation.
