The UK will stand by Ukraine for however long it takes, Ukraine will win: UK statement to the OSCE
UK military advisor, Ian Stubbs, says the UK and its allies are committed to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of Ukraine.
Thank you, Madam Chair. The catastrophic collapse of the Kakhovka Dam has impacted thousands of Ukrainian citizens. The dam was the region’s main hydroelectric infrastructure and provided cities, towns, and villages across Southern Ukraine with much of their water supply. The loss of this water supply, as well as the direct impact of widespread flooding, will result in environmental, economic, humanitarian and development consequences that will be felt well into the future. Russia, which has controlled the area since just after the invasion, must bear full responsibility: none of the suffering caused would have happened if Russia had not launched an unprovoked and illegal war of aggression.
Madam Chair, over the last ten days, Russia appears to have started relocating elements of its Dnipro Group of Forces (DGF) from the eastern bank of the Dnipro River to reinforce the Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut sectors. This potentially involves several thousand troops from the 49th Army, including its 34th Separate Motorised Brigade, as well as Airborne Forces (VDV) and Naval Infantry units. We note that this redeployment likely reflects Russia’s view that a major Ukrainian attack across the Dnipro is now less likely following the collapse of Kakhovka Dam and the resulting flooding.
Madam Chair, when Putin launched his so-called “Special Military Operation” on 24 February 2022, he said Moscow had no plans seize Ukrainian territory. The Russian Ministry of Defence said its forces were not attacking cities and that their focus would be entirely on military infrastructure. They stated that the civilian population was not in danger. However, the thousands of Ukrainian civilians killed; cities and towns laid to waste; and evidence of unimaginable atrocities against men, women and children committed, expose the brutal reality of Russia’s barbaric invasion and “scorched earth” policy in Ukraine.
Russia repeatedly demonstrates complete disregard for International Humanitarian Law. Russia continues to launch wave after wave of missile and drone strikes against Kyiv and other towns and cities across Ukraine in an attempt to bring terror and suffering to the Ukrainian people. Russia continues to unleash horrendous violence on the people of Ukraine. They are despicable acts of vengeance against a people who had the courage and strength to stand up to a brutal and barbaric invader. Russia’s horrific actions will not work, they will not compensate or distract from the terrible and enduring legacy Putin’s horrific war of choice has created which millions of people will be forced to bear the cost of for years to come.
Madam Chair, Russia’s continued nuclear rhetoric, including the announced deployment of nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable systems on Belarusian territory, is designed to distract and deter us from supporting Ukraine. It will not work, and we again call on the Belarusian regime to desist from supporting Russia’s attempts to stoke further instability in the region and stop its support of Russia’s illegal invasion which is itself a clear violation of international law.
Madam Chair, we do not underestimate the continuing threat posed by the Russian Federation but, in time, there will be cause for Ukraine to celebrate. Ukraine will continue to demonstrate their resolute courage, determination and enduring moral strength as they fight to liberate more of their homeland. The UK and the international community will remain steadfast in our support.
On 13 June, at a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force, the UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that the UK will commit a further £250 million to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), as well as a new package of vital air defence capabilities worth £92 million. The equipment will be procured in the coming months through the IFU to bolster Ukraine’s ability to protect its critical national infrastructure, civilian population, and front-line personnel. The package will provide radars to help protect from indiscriminate Russian strikes as well as guns and a significant amount of ammunition.
Additionally, on 15 June, nearly 50 countries attended the 13th Ukraine Defence Contact Group coming together to support Ukraine. During that meeting, the defence ministries of Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA, announced a new fund which will deliver hundreds of vital air defence missiles to Ukraine. Delivery of this equipment has already begun and is expected to be completed within weeks. The package consists largely of Soviet-era missiles, supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s most pressing needs for systems to support offensive operations and protect critical national infrastructure.
Funding for air defences is the latest UK support for Ukraine to be announced, following the recent delivery of long-range Storm Shadow missiles, and the announcement from my Prime Minister last month that the UK is donating other air defence systems and long range attack drones. The UK has also committed an additional £60 million of funding to NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package to support Ukraine.
Madam Chair, the UK and our allies are committed to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. This is the swiftest, and only, path to a just and lasting peace. We will stand by Ukraine for however long it takes. Ukraine will win. Thank you.