The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has
summoned the Russian Ambassador, Andrey Kelin, to express the
UK’s deep concern at reports of the death of British National
Paul Urey in captivity in the non-Government controlled areas of
Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary said:
I am shocked to hear reports of the death of British aid worker
Paul Urey while in the custody of a Russian proxy in Ukraine.
Russia must bear the full responsibility for this.
Paul Urey was captured while undertaking humanitarian work. He
was in Ukraine to try and help the Ukrainian people in the face
of the unprovoked Russian invasion. The Russian government and
its proxies are continuing to commit atrocities. Those
responsible will be held to account.
My thoughts are with Mr Urey’s family and friends at this
horrendous time.
Background
The Foreign Secretary instructed Sir Tim Barrow, Second Permanent
Under-Secretary for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development
Office to summon the Ambassador, to urge Russia to clarify the
status of Mr Urey.
Sir Tim will demand that that the Russian Federation meet all its
obligations under International Humanitarian Law, including by
respecting and protecting all civilians. He will make clear that
the UK holds the Russian Federation responsible for the safety
and welfare of civilians in the non-Government controlled areas
of Ukraine, including those within the so-called Donetsk and
Luhansk ‘People’s Republics’, which the United Kingdom does not
recognise as independent states.
