Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
Ukraine.
"I would like to start by thanking Assistant Secretary-General
Joyce Msuya for the briefing today.
Colleagues, last month marked three years since President Putin
launched his illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of
Ukraine.
The invasion displaced over 10 million people. Today, 12.7
million remain in need of urgent humanitarian support.
The suffering caused by Russian forces is well known to this
Council: war crimes, torture of civilians and prisoners of war,
mass killings, the forced deportation of thousands of children,
the forced cleansing and Russification of areas under their
illegal control.
It is a shocking record for any state, let alone a Permanent
Member of the Security Council.
In recent weeks, Russian drone and missile attacks have
intensified nationwide, with daily reports of damage to
residential areas and civilian infrastructure across multiple
Oblasts.
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mechanism of Ukraine,
in one attack which took place on 7 March, two ballistic missiles
hit a residential area in Donetsk Oblast killing 11 people and
destroying homes.
Emergency responders who arrived to treat the wounded were then
targeted by further strikes.
This has to stop.
The UK is clear that we want to see an end to the fighting and to
the killing. We must have enduring peace in Ukraine.
Putin could bring about peace tomorrow by withdrawing his forces
and ending his illegal invasion.
President, we welcome US efforts towards just and lasting peace.
And we welcome President Zelenskyy's clear commitment to peace
and readiness to move quickly towards a comprehensive and lasting
settlement.
In agreeing to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire,
Ukraine has shown that it is the party of peace.
Russia must now agree to this without further delay.
Ukraine's humanitarian needs are immense, and the UK will
continue to do what we can in support.
To date, we have committed £477 million in humanitarian support
to Ukraine, providing its people with food, water, shelter, and
medical care, alongside support to safeguard the rights, dignity,
and well-being of civilians.
We repeat our call on Russia to end its brutal war, withdraw from
Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognised
borders.
Until that day comes, the UK will continue to work with Ukraine
and our international partners to achieve a just and lasting
peace, which ensures Ukraine's future security and upholds the
core principles of the United Nations Charter."
