UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says the UK, alongside
the US and international partners, remains committed to providing
the economic, diplomatic, and military tools Ukraine needs to
defend itself.
"Madame Chair, the United Kingdom reaffirms its unwavering
support for Ukraine as it continues to defend its people and
sovereignty against the Russian government's escalating campaign
of aggression. We remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring
Ukraine has the tools and support it needs to prevail –
diplomatically, economically, and militarily.
The urgency of this support was underscored by the most recent
Russian attacks. On the night of 11-12 July, Russia launched 597
drones and 26 cruise missiles across Ukraine in a 10-hour
assault. The attacks killed at least two civilians and injured
over 20 others, with damage reported from Kharkiv to Lviv. Just
days earlier, Kyiv endured a combined drone, ballistic, and
cruise missile strike that damaged six districts and left
multiple civilians injured.
These attacks mark a grim trend. Eight of the largest attacks of
the war have been launched by Russia in the last two months.
Russia launched ten times more missile and drone strikes in June
2025 than in June 2024. The impact on civilians has been
appalling. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in
Ukraine (HRMMU), June 2025 saw the highest civilian toll since
the war began, with 232 killed and 1,343 injured, driven by a
surge in long-range missile and drone strikes reaching far beyond
the front lines. From December to May, the UN estimates that
civilian casualties increased by 37% from the same period the
previous year. Even more horrific is the alleged use of drones
armed with enhanced warheads containing up to 90kg of metal
shrapnel, designed to maximise civilian casualties. As President
Zelenskiiy's aide Andrii Yermak warned, the alleged use of these
shrapnel-packed warheads marks an appalling new chapter in the
war.
The growing frequency and intensity of these attacks underscore
the urgent need for enhanced air defence support for Ukraine. We
welcome President Trump's decision to enable NATO Allies to
purchase US military equipment vital for Ukraine to defend itself
and protect civilians, including Patriot systems. The UK is
pleased to be co-chairing, with Germany, a meeting of the Ukraine
Defence Contact Group meeting next week, to ensure that Ukraine
gets the military support it needs to defend itself against
Russia's brutal attacks.
Finally, on 10 July, the United Kingdom was proud to co-chair the
fourth meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing' alongside
President Macron, bringing together representatives from 38
countries, including over 30 heads of state and government. This
gathering was a powerful demonstration of unity and a clear
signal to Moscow that our support for Ukraine is enduring,
coordinated, and intensifying. We welcome the presence of a US
delegation at the meeting for the first time, and President
Trump's announcement that the US will impose sanctions if a peace
deal is not reached in 50 days. We call upon the Russian
Federation to abandon their maximalist objectives in Ukraine,
agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire as Ukraine did five
months ago, and engage in meaningful peace talks. Together with
our partners we will continue to ratchet up the pressure on
Russia until a just and lasting peace is reached.
The UK will continue to stand firm with our Allies and Partners,
to ensure Ukraine's defence, uphold international law and secure
a future of peace and stability in Europe - principles enshrined
in the Helsinki Final Act, including the inviolability of
frontiers, territorial integrity of states, and the peaceful
settlement of disputes. Thank you, Madame Chair."
