UK invites Honduras to join a new global security approach
British Ambassador Nick Whittingham invited Honduras to embrace a reboot in the free world’s approach to tackling global aggressors in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.
Ambassador Whittingham explained the war should be a catalyst for rebooting, remodelling and recasting a global security architecture that has failed Ukraine.
He praised strength and unity of the free world’s response to Putin’s invasion, including Honduras’ support at multilateral forums. Nevertheless, he stressed this collective response needs to follow through to ensure aggressors fail and are contained in the future.
This new approach melds hard security and economic security, builds stronger global alliances, recognises we are seeing the return of geopolitics, and will urge action in three areas:
- Stronger defence – based on collectively investing more in defence, including maintaining NATO’s open door policy (including for Sweden and Finland), and for NATO to adopt a more “global” outlook where it steps up work with Pacific partners.
- Boosting economic security – reducing economic dependency on aggressors and creating stronger trade, investment, science and tech ties among allies and partners.
- Building a stronger network of alliances – with the G7 playing a stronger role, as it has done during the Ukraine crisis, and building a deeper, more intertwined network of bilateral security and economic partnerships.
Ambassador Whittingham warned the fate of Ukraine remains in the balance and urged allies, including Honduras, to double down in ensuring Putin fails in Ukraine. The G7 and partners need to keep the pressure on Russia through tougher sanctions, providing further military aid, and continued humanitarian support.
UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, set the UK’s latest position on the war in Ukraine at the Mansion House speech on 27 April. The Mansion House speech is delivered at the annual Lord Mayor’s Easter Banquet. The event is a set piece in the diplomatic calendar and is attended by ambassadors, diplomats, FCDO staff and the business community.