ISLE of Wight MP Bob Seely led a cross-party group of MPs to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv earlier this month.

Mr Seely and MPs from across the House of Commons met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, defence minister Oleksii Reznikov and other ministers, MPs and advisors during the visit.

While passing into Ukraine, the cross-party group heard of the Queen's death and, after discussions, decided to continue.

Bob Seely said: “Her Majesty grew up in a nation fighting for its survival in WWII.

“We were travelling to a nation fighting for its survival today. The parallel was not lost on us.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Bob Seely lead a cross-party group of MPs to Kyiv (photo: Bob Seely).Bob Seely lead a cross-party group of MPs to Kyiv (photo: Bob Seely). (Image: Bob Seely)

Mr Seely said that all parties in the House of Commons need to ‘see for themselves’ the conditions in Ukraine to understand how the UK government is helping and how parliament can suggest what needs to be done.

President Zelensky met with the group as a breakthrough happened. Despite what Mr Seely describes as ‘darkened and sandbagged’ corridors that they were escorted through to meet him, optimism from the president and his advisors was clear.

Isle of Wight County Press: Bob Seely leading MPs in meeting with Ukrainian politicians (photo: Bob Seely).Bob Seely leading MPs in meeting with Ukrainian politicians (photo: Bob Seely). (Image: Bob Seely)

“Zelensky spoke with a direct emotional intensity, and energy is his hallmark”, said the Island MP.

Mr Seely continued: “There is still a difficult road to travel, but Ukrainians at the Yalta European Strategy conference (YES Ukraine) felt there was light at end of a long tunnel.

“Ukraine will gradually go to offensive operations to regain land. Russia will seek defensive positions.

“Russia’s weakness is on the battlefield; with demoralised and badly-led troops. Ukraine’s weakness is economic and political; $5 billion monthly debt and dependency on alliances.

“Putin will try to break alliances and gain political victory where he can’t deliver a military one.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Bob Seely speaking at the YES Ukraine conference (photo: Bob Seely).Bob Seely speaking at the YES Ukraine conference (photo: Bob Seely). (Image: Bob Seely)

The Island MP says the group will write to ministers to see what can be done by the UK and others in military, economic, legal, reconstruction and refugee support.

They will look to reinvigorate the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine to help the collective effort, aid understanding in the UK parliament and encourage links between Ukrainian and UK parliamentarians.

Mr Seely says he will aim to help organise another trip before the Christmas recess.

Isle of Wight County Press: Bob Seely with a group cross-party MPs in Ukraine (photo: Bob Seely).Bob Seely with a group cross-party MPs in Ukraine (photo: Bob Seely). (Image: Bob Seely)