Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said he personally wants Vladimir Putin to leave all occupied territories in Ukraine, including Crimea, but it’s up to Ukraine to decide what a resolution of the war.

In the Commons, Defense Select Committee Chairman Tobias Ellwood asked him what success in Ukraine would look like, and if – if it is “in the interests of Europe’s security to see Putin humiliated in Ukraine” – this “must be our strategic objective”. for the whole continent to be recaptured in Moscow.

Mr Wallace replied that “our strategic objective is twofold”, adding: “The first is that Putin has to fail in Ukraine, he has to fail in his invasion and I think he is on track to actually do that. He must fail in its occupation of Ukraine and I think it has definitely failed to do so.

“At the end of the day, it’s as much about Ukraine’s choice as anyone else’s – that Ukraine gets to choose where it wants to settle for peace. We will do all we can to support them.

“For my part, I don’t just want Putin beyond the pre-February borders. He invaded Crimea illegally, he invaded Donetsk illegally and he should comply with international law and in the long term leave Ukraine.

Around 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine, while Moscow has so far “failed in almost every one of its objectives”, the defense secretary told MPs.

In a Common update, Ben Wallace said the UK estimated more than 2,000 Russian armored vehicles had been destroyed or captured, including at least 530 tanks, while Moscow had also lost more than 60 helicopters and planes. of hunting.

“At the start of this conflict, Russia had committed more than 120 tactical battalion groups, about 65% of its total ground combat strength. At present, we assess that approximately more than 25% of them have been rendered non-combat effective,” he told MPs.

“Ukraine is an inspiration to all of us. Their brave people have never stopped fighting for their land. They endured indiscriminate bombardment, war crimes and overwhelming military aggression, but they stood firm, galvanized the international community and pushed back the Russian military in the north and northeast.

“We anticipate that this next phase of the invasion will be an attempt by Russia to further occupy Donbass and connect via Mariupol to Crimea, so it is urgent that we in the international community ensure that May Ukraine receive much needed help and weapons.”

Here are more details on Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s announcement that he will meet Mail on Sunday editor David Dillon to discuss his widely condemned piece on Angela Rayner.

In a statement at the start of Commons on Monday, the Speaker told MPs: “I said in the House last week in response to a point of order on a different rule that I take the issue of the freedom of the media – this is one of the cornerstones of our democracy.

“However, I share the views expressed by a wide range of members, including I believe the Prime Minister, that yesterday’s article made allegations that were unsubstantiated – and misogynistic and offensive.”

He added: ‘I express my sympathy to (Angela Rayner) for being the subject of this type of comment as being demeaning, offensive to women in Parliament and can only deter women who may be considering standing for elections to the detriment of all of us.

“That’s why I have arranged a meeting with the chairman of the press lobby, the editor of the Mail on Sunday, to discuss the issue which affects our parliamentary community. I am also arranging separately – and believe that we now have a time – where I will meet (Mrs. Rayner) tonight.

Our political correspondent Peter Jon more here:

Ministers are targeted by hoaxes posing as British citizens captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, The Independent understand.

Russian information operations are believed to have originated the calls, which were made to the private offices of Cabinet members.

To date, two British soldiers fighting with the Ukrainian army have been captured by Vladimir Putin’s troops, both of whom were paraded on Russian television last week.

In an email sent by Cabinet Office security last week, staff were urged not to engage with callers posing as soldiers and instead direct them to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Labor Office. development.

Our Senior News Correspondent Samuel Lovett has the full exclusive report here:

Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he would meet the Mail on Sunday editor to discuss an article which reported ‘misogynistic and offensive’ claims that deputy Labor leader Angela Rayner tried to corner Boris Johnson in the Commons by crossing and uncrossing his legs.

Labor MP Harriet Harman has called for a change to House of Commons rules to make misogynistic, homophobic and racist briefings a breach of MPs’ code of conduct, writes our political reporter Adam Forest.

“Sexist briefings designed to undermine them are an age-old way of trying to silence women,” Ms Harman, who is the mother of the house – the longest serving MP – told BBC Radio 4. The world in unison program.

“I do not accept the argument that this was a flippant remark. When a member informs a journalist, he is doing something within the framework of his job. This is a deliberate way of undermining women parliamentarians.

Piers Morgan has claimed Nigel Farage tried to sabotage his interview with Donald Trump.

Morgan said the former Brexit and UKIP party leader sent the former US president a three-page document containing all the negative things he said about him minutes before an interview due to air tonight .

More comments from Morgan below:

The government efficiency minister came under fire from unions last week after it emerged he had left ‘rude’ and ‘condescending’ messages for civil servants who were not in their desks.

Our political correspondent Peter Jon reports:

Potentially damning photos from parties in Downing Street may never be published, it has emerged today.

Our political editor Andre Bécasse reports:

Boris Johnson has claimed he remains an electoral ‘asset’ for the Conservative Party despite the ongoing lockdown party scandal in Downing Street, writes our political reporter Adam Forest.

When asked if he was still an asset to the Tories in the upcoming local council elections, he replied: “I don’t deny it.” The Prime Minister said there were “absolutely no circumstances” in which he was going to comment on the final report. of senior civil servant Sue Gray.

A report in The temperaturequoting an official he described as familiar with the contents of the full report, said it was “gallant” and could force Mr Johnson’s resignation.