Ambassador Holland highlights the intensification of Russia's
attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure in 2025,
despite ongoing peace negotiations. He reiterates the UK's grave
concern and calls for Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty,
cease its aggression, and engage seriously in negotiations.
"Thank you, Madam Chair. As we conclude the FSC's work for 2025,
the United Kingdom reiterates its grave concern at Russia's
ongoing campaign against Ukraine. Each winter since 2022, we have
cited independent sources detailing Russia's pattern of targeting
of civilians and critical infrastructure. This year, that pattern
has intensified.
Despite ongoing peace negotiations, Russia has escalated its
attacks. Three data points make this very clear:
In 2025 Russia has killed over 2,200 Ukrainian civilians and
injured more than 11,000. This is a 27% increase in
casualties compared to last year.
Since Russia sent a delegation to the first bilateral talks with
Ukraine in mid-May, it has launched the 35 largest air
attacks of the entire war.
And from June to November, Russian drones fired have
averaged over 5,300 a month. This is more than five
times the 2024 monthly average.
This is not the conduct of a state seeking peace. That is
why, at the Ministerial Council last week,
our Minister said: “we are committed to holding
Russia to account – for its illegal, unprovoked, and
unjustifiable war against Ukraine; for the forced deportations of
innocent children; and for unlawfully detaining civilians,
including, as has been referenced, three members of this
organisation's staff.”
Mr Chair, the UK hopes that this is the last time we
sit at this Forum against the backdrop of Russia's
war. As we have established clearly in this
Forum, the only obstruction to peace is Russia's continued
willingness to fight a war of aggression that it started. A
war which continues to cause misery and death on our
continent.
The path to peace remains clear. It is a path that
Russia must choose. It must choose to return to full compliance
with international law and the Helsinki Final Act. It must choose
to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And
it must choose to cease its attacks, withdraw all of its forces
from all of Ukraine, and to engage seriously in negotiations.
Thank you."
