Ambassador Holland condemns Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukrainian
cities and its attempts to portray itself as the victim while
continuing its war of aggression. He highlights rising civilian
casualties, Russia's refusal to engage seriously in diplomacy,
and reaffirms the UK's support for Ukraine's self defence and a
just, lasting peace.
"Thank you, Mr Chair.
It has become routine for Russia to denounce Ukraine's legitimate
efforts at self-defence while continuing its own bombardment of
Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Week after week,
the state that launched this war of aggression seeks to cast
itself as the victim and to blame those supporting a sovereign
state under attack in its defence. Colleagues should be
clear-eyed about this inversion of reality.
Any loss of civilian life on either side is deeply regrettable.
And the human cost of Russia's war remains stark: UN reporting
for 2025 indicates that civilian casualties in Ukraine rose by 31
per cent compared with the previous year. These figures speak to
a well-documented pattern of strikes across populated areas with
predictable humanitarian consequences.
The last few days have again shown how far this pattern extends.
In the early hours of 14 March, Russia launched a combined
assault of 430 drones and 64 missiles, killing at least 7
civilians and injuring 46 others. This was the largest missile
strike since the mass attack on the 2-3rd February, and one of
the largest since 2024. This mass attack comes amid a relentless
daily bombardment, with Russia having already fired over 3,000
drones and nearly 100 missiles at Ukrainian cities in March
alone.
Mr Chair, Russia's projection cannot obscure the fundamental
truth: Russia launched this illegal and unprovoked war against a
sovereign neighbour. It could end it today by withdrawing its
forces from all Ukrainian territory. Instead, it entrenches its
attempted illegal annexations and imposes control through
coercion and the systematic erasure of Ukrainian identity in the
areas that it occupies.
The Kremlin alleges that Ukraine and its partners are obstructing
diplomacy. But it has now been more than one year since the
United States and Ukraine jointly proposed an immediate and
unconditional ceasefire – an offer which Russia declined. Russia
has turned up to talks but refused to move one inch from its
maximalist positions. This is performance, not negotiation.
Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its seriousness about
achieving a just and lasting peace. The UK, the US and many
partners have consistently supported immediate ceasefire
proposals and continue to do so. But negotiations require good
faith from all parties. Russia has shown no credible shift, no
de-escalatory intent, and no willingness to take even the
smallest step that would indicate genuine commitment. Its
attempts to portray others as the obstacle to peace only
underline its own lack of seriousness.
Mr Chair, the United Kingdom will continue to stand with Ukraine
as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence under the UN
Charter, and to support efforts that can deliver a comprehensive,
just and durable peace - one that ends this war, restores
Ukraine's territorial integrity, and strengthens European
security for us all.
Thank you, Mr Chair."
