Ambassador Holland welcomes talks in Istanbul and urges Russia to
end the bloodshed in Ukraine and show it is serious about peace
or face further sanctions.
"Thank you, Mr Chair.
Ukraine has agreed, in-principle, to a full and unconditional
ceasefire. Because only when missiles and drones stop, and the
deaths of innocent civilians end, can discussions towards a just
and lasting peace begin.
Last weekend the UK, the US and our European partners reiterated
our call on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire now, as Ukraine
has done, and create the space for talks.
Rather than seize this opportunity, Russia continues to stall.
Instead of an unconditional ceasefire, they have again moved the
goal posts, calling for talks to resolve the conflict's so-called
‘root causes'. This is code for maximalist demands which would
deny Ukraine its sovereignty and territorial integrity and do not
meaningfully shift the dial.
We welcome today's talks and thank Türkiye for agreeing to host
them. We call on Russia to engage in good faith in the US-led
peace efforts. In keeping with his commitment to ending this war,
President Zelenskyy has agreed to direct talks with President
Putin, an offer which we now know has been rebuffed. We commend
President Zelenskyy for this decision.
Mr Chair, last week we saw another supposed three-day ‘ceasefire'
from Russia. Just like the truce at Easter, this was a
smokescreen intended to portray Russia as the party of peace.
In reality, Russia's death and destruction continued. According
to the Ukrainian authorities, there were over 700 Russian
violations between midnight and midday last Thursday alone.
Aerial bombings killed at least three civilians in Kherson,
Zaporizhzhia and Sumy.
And Russia ramped up its attacks in the days after this
‘ceasefire' just as it did at Easter. At least six civilians have
been killed and dozens more injured. Civilian infrastructure has
been destroyed in Odesa and elsewhere in Ukraine.
The gulf between the Russian state's words and its actions could
not be wider. But the urgency is real. April was the deadliest
month in Ukraine for child casualties since June 2022. Normal
lives, homes and families destroyed.
We will not stand by while the Kremlin delays and denies. The UK
and our allies are prepared to impose further sanctions if Russia
fails to demonstrate that it is serious about peace. And we will
continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Now, more than ever, Russia must heed the world's call and agree
to end the bloodshed."
