Russia: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office summons Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has summoned the Russian Ambassador, Andrey Kelin, to register the UK’s formal protest with the Russian Federation over Russia’s continued undermining of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and flagrant disregard for the international obligations and commitments it has freely signed up to.

An FCDO Spokesperson said:

The UK has urged Russia to explain its recognition of the so-called ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ and ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ and the movement of military forces into Ukraine.

We have summoned the Ambassador today to stress that such actions are a violation of international law. The UK reiterates its unshakeable commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine, and insists that Russia immediately withdraw all of its military forces.

We made clear to the Russian Ambassador that Russia would pay the price for its actions through further sanctions if it did not withdraw its troops.

The Foreign Secretary instructed Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to summon the Ambassador.

At the meeting, Sir Philip reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for Ukraine to determine its own future and security arrangements. He informed the Ambassador that the UK will announce sanctions against Russia, and that further measures would follow unless Russia withdraws its troops, meets its obligations under the UN Charter, and fulfils the commitments it made under the Helsinki Final Act, the Minsk Agreements, and the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.