Wales' Ukraine support unwavering - first minister

Wales' support for Ukraine will continue to be "unwavering", the first minister pledged in the Senedd.

Eluned Morgan's comments came as the United States paused military aid for Ukraine - an announcement welcomed by Russia.

The leader of the Conservatives in Cardiff Bay, Darren Millar, said his group stood "full square" behind Ukraine.

Plaid Cymru's leader raised concerns about the UK government's decision to boost defence spending by cutting the international aid budget. Rhun ap Iorwerth said the move should be reversed.

Morgan's statement on Tuesday follows a period of rising global tension over the situation in Ukraine which saw US President Donald Trump clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House on Friday.

On Sunday, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted a summit in Downing Street to thrash out a peace plan for Ukraine.

Then overnight, into Tuesday, it emerged that the US was pausing its military aid for the country.

Morgan told Senedd members she was "pleased that our support for Ukraine and its people has been, and will continue to be, unwavering".

"I am truly proud that Wales has given full support to Ukraine, from the moment Ukraine was illegally and brutally invaded by Vladimir Putin.

"Let me be clear, there can be no justification for the invasion of Ukraine, and we must stand full square behind President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine."

Later, during questions to the first minister on Tuesday afternoon, the Welsh Conservative group leader Darren Millar said his Senedd members "stand full square behind Ukraine in the face of the illegal invasion by Russia of its sovereign territory and that will not waver".

Last Tuesday Keir Starmer announced a multi-billion-pound increase in defence spending to be funded by slashing the international aid budget.

The decision, which prompted the resignation of International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds, was questioned in the Senedd on Tuesday by Plaid's leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.

"As the principled Labour MP Anneliese Dodds set out when resigning as international development minister last week, the cut will likely lead to a UK pull out from numerous nations at a time when Russia has been aggressively increasing its global presence.

"Cutting international influence will be costly.

Whilst the first minister I'm sure will agree with me that the debate around increased defence spending has taken on a new significance in light of the new global context, does she also agree with me that that shouldn't be at the expense of international aid and that the international aid budget cuts announced by Keir Starmer should be reversed?"

Defence is not devolved and is the responsibility of the UK government.

Responding to ap Iorwerth, Morgan said the decision had been "incredibly tough" for the prime minister "but the first duty of government is to keep people safe".

"Europe has depended to a large extent for cover on defence from the US for a long time and there's no assurance that that will continue," she said.

Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds said the decision to cut the international aid budget would have "devastating human consequences".

She also accused Donald Trump of making "deeply offensive and provocative remarks" and described his decision to pause military aid for Ukraine as "disgraceful".

She added that Trump's state visit to the UK, announced last week, should not take place.