Five ways Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed UK government
A year after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, five IfG experts examine the impact of the war on the UK
![Image of the Ukrainian flag](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_desktop/public/2023-02/ukraine-flag-1504-846px.png?h=68c5e252&itok=xEmoNiCZ)
A year after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, five IfG experts examine the impact of the war on the UK.
![Image of wind turbines](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image_desktop/public/2023-02/wind-turbines-2880x920px.jpg?h=43d442cc&itok=AxF4kkhD)
The war has strengthened political consensus that domestic renewables offer the cheapest and most secure form of energy.
![An image of a sign for English lessons for Ukrainians](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image_desktop/public/2023-02/homes-for-ukraine-2880x920px.png?h=526c02d8&itok=o5S3Xt9l)
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities took lead responsibility for what became ‘Homes for Ukraine’, a community sponsor scheme that recognised the role local authorities have in supporting refugees once they arrive in the UK.
![Image of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image_desktop/public/2023-02/foreign-office-2880x920px.png?h=4b334ee7&itok=ptlSpPj-)
The question remains as to why the Foreign Office had a comparatively low number of staff focused on the region prior to Russia’s invasion – and the extent to which that hindered the UK’s response.
![Image of a chinook helicopter](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image_desktop/public/2023-02/ukraine-defence-2880x920px.png?h=9bb6fa9c&itok=CdmO-0gZ)
As prime minister Boris Johnson promised to increase defence spending from an existing 2% to 2.5% of GDP; his successor Liz Truss went further by committing to 3%.
![Image of Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image_desktop/public/2023-02/sunak-zelensky-2880x920px.png?h=09171678&itok=fWgj3VP5)
We now see more clearly that, in a crisis, for the foreseeable future UK interests are aligned with the US and Europe, especially if China aligns itself more with Russia.