· The Foreign Secretary will
address the UN Security Council today urging allies to support
Ukraine for as long as it takes, one year on from Russia’s
illegal full-scale invasion
· He will also meet with key
allies including Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and the
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres
· A national minute’s silence
will take place at 11am today to mark the one-year anniversary of
the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine
The UK will urge the international community to give the
Ukrainian people the tools they need to win at a special
session of the UN Security Council today [Friday
24th February], one year on from Russia’s
illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary is expected to say that
“One year into this terrible war, let us send this clear
message: Our support for Ukraine is not, and will never be,
time-limited. We will keep the promises we made to the UN Charter
and the Ukrainian people. And will give the Ukrainians all
the help they need. For as long as it takes. Until Ukraine
prevails.”
Russia’s continued targeting of Ukraine’s civilian
infrastructure, and key agricultural infrastructure, including
grain silos, has significantly disrupted Ukraine’s food exports.
This has directly exacerbated the increase in global food prices,
hitting the poorest the hardest.
From food and fertiliser shortages to Russia’s escalatory
language on nuclear escalation, Putin’s actions have worldwide
repercussions beyond Ukraine.
The United Nations General Assembly met yesterday to
underscore the need to reach, as soon as possible, a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the principles
of the Charter of the United Nations.
The Foreign Secretary
said:
“When Putin invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, he expected
his brutal assault to succeed and international support to
crumble within weeks. He has been proven gravely
wrong.
“12 months on, the international community remains resolute
that Ukraine will win the war, end Russia’s threat to Ukraine’s
sovereignty, and forge a sustainable
peace.
“Ukraine is turning the tide and Putin is losing. One year
into this terrible war, our support will continue for as long as
it takes.”
As Ukraine enters its second year living under a full-scale
Russian bombardment, the UK will continue to work with its
international allies to secure a just and lasting peace which
respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and
defends the UN Charter.
While in New York, the Foreign Secretary will meet his Ukrainian
counterpart, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and United Nations
Secretary General Antonio Guterres, to discuss accelerating UK
support to Ukraine, establishing a lasting peace and the road to
economic stability.
Later today, a national minute’s silence will take place at 11am
today to mark the one-year anniversary of the full-scale Russian
invasion of Ukraine, offering the UK public a moment to reflect
on the courage of the Ukrainian people and demonstrating the UK’s
unwavering solidarity with the country.
[ENDS]
Notes to editors:
In the last year the UK has been a leading supporter of
Ukraine:
· The UK provided £2.3
billion in military support to Ukraine in 2022 – more than any
country other than the United States - and has already committed
to sustain that level of military support into
2023.
· The UK is a leading
bilateral humanitarian donor, having committed £220 million in
assistance. Funding includes £109 million to the UN, £33 million
to the Red Cross, £50 million to NGOs, and £8.4 million in
in-kind assistance. The UK have also supported the Disasters
Emergency Committee, UNHCR and UNICEF. The UK has helped the
response reach 13.4 million people to date.
· We have introduced the
largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on
Russia or indeed any major economy. We have now sanctioned almost
1300 individuals and over 130 entities since Putin’s invasion of
Ukraine.
· The UK has issued
219,400 visas to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine
through our two visa routes.
