Category: Attack on Ukraine

  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2026 Comments on the Award of the Order of Freedom to Keir Starmer

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2026 Comments on the Award of the Order of Freedom to Keir Starmer

    The comments made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 16 July 2026.

    Today, we express our special gratitude to Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, with whom we’ve done a lot of serious work during the full-scale war. The United Kingdom has always stood with Ukraine and continues to do so. And we value that immensely. Thank you, Keir Starmer.

    Thank you to your team and to all the people of the United Kingdom. I awarded Keir the Order of Freedom in recognition of his personal leadership and support for our people. Prime Minister Starmer and I have had dozens of meetings, conversations, and decisions together. Today marks Keir’s fourth visit to Ukraine as Prime Minister. Altogether, we’ve had 46 official meetings and calls alone – at least two every month. I am grateful for all the support provided to Ukraine during this time. Today, Keir and I discussed the key issues regarding the front line, our long-range operations, and our mid-range strikes. Ukraine has achieved significant success in these areas, and we will continue applying every form of such pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end and achieve a dignified peace. We will, of course, continue coordinating closely with our British friends.

  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2026 Comments on MH17 Anniversary

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2026 Comments on MH17 Anniversary

    The comments made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 17 July 2026.

    Twelve years ago, Russia shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 298 innocent people.

    Today, we remember every victim and stand with their families, and all the nations that lost their loved ones on that tragic day. The downing of MH17 was nothing but a terrorist act. Russia has made such terror against civilians a defining feature of its policy – toward its neighbors, the world more broadly, and even its own people.

    It is important to ensure that the world doesn’t turn a blind eye and that for every Russian crime – both against Ukrainians and against other people – there is justice and accountability.

  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2026 Comments on Situation in Ukraine

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2026 Comments on Situation in Ukraine

    The comments made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 6 July 2026.

    Intelligence once again indicates that the Russians are preparing a new massive strike. This is typical of Putin: right after America’s Independence Day and before the NATO Summit in Ankara. Russia wants to bring more evil and kill people. Please stay safe and heed any air raid alerts.

    Separately, to partners: any delay with missiles for our air defense – missiles for Patriots – means the loss of lives, and it encourages Russia to continue the war. The world has the necessary quantity and quality of air defense. What is needed are your decisions to ensure real protection of lives in Ukraine.

    Above all, these are, of course, decisions by the United States, decisions by the strong countries in Europe and around the world. Please be active in your decisions and protect lives. Missiles for Patriots are needed not in warehouses right now, but in Patriot units in Ukraine. I thank everyone who is providing real help.

  • Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on Ukraine Recovery Fund

    Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on Ukraine Recovery Fund

    The comments made by Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, on 25 June 2026.

    The UK stands firmly with Ukraine, not only in its fight for freedom today, but in ensuring it has the strength to rebuild for the future – that is essential for the long-term deterrence of Russian aggression. 

    A just and lasting peace is urgent and non-negotiable. But Ukraine needs long-term support both to get through the conflict and to rebuild in future. That is why at this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference, we are announcing a multi-million pound package to power Ukraine’s homes and critical infrastructure, back its businesses and drive improvements in education and justice. 

    This crucial investment will ensure the UK is also in close partnership with Ukraine as they look towards future growth, involving British and Ukrainian businesses and delivering long-term benefits for both our economies.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments at the E5 Summit

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments at the E5 Summit

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 24 June 2026.

    Thank you, Friedrich.

    It’s a real pleasure to be here with all of you and thank you so much for your kind words, it has been my privilege to work with you on these really important issues and I am proud of the work we have done over the last two years to rebuild our relationship with our allies in Europe and around the world.

    I’m proud that Britain is standing up once again for decency, respect, and the rule of law.

    Last week at the G7, and thank you again Emmanuel for hosting a successful G7, we pledged our unwavering support to Ukraine and we’ve been able to echo that here today – our determination to capitalise on Ukraine’s newfound momentum.

    They are increasingly able to push Russia back on the battlefield. That’s very much been the story of this year. There are clear signs that as Russia loses ground and their economy struggles, the mood in Moscow is turning against Putin’s war.

    So this is a really important moment to ramp up the pressure on their economy with more sanctions and providing Ukraine with more military support.

    We are committed to driving this forward and that this should be the first item on the agenda at the NATO summit in a couple of weeks time.

    The second key issue at the summit must be building a more European NATO.

    We’ve been making this argument for some time but now is the time at this summit to really push this argument forward.

    Our aim together should be to lead a decisive strengthening of European leadership and sovereign capabilities, working of course in full coordination with the United States.

    Because we know that is what it will take to keep our countries safe, deter those who would do us harm and preserve the most successful military alliance in history.

    That is the big strategic challenge of the moment in the face of a clear and growing threats that we face and we are all playing our full part.

    The UK is ready to implement the largest increase in defence funding since the cold war. We’ve already taken steps last year to that end and we’ll take further steps and we’re going further, working to deliver our defence investment plan ahead of the NATO summit, not just to increase how much we spend on defence but to completely overhaul how we spend it to learn the lessons of Ukraine and to ensure that we’re ready to meet the threats of today and of tomorrow.

    And look, one final point, it is clear that this renewal of European defence must be fuelled by a generational shift in European industrial cooperation.

    The reality of modern warfare is that as well as outmanoeuvring the enemy, we must be able to out-innovate and out-produce them as well.

    More than ever, economic and technological power is the basis for military power and so we must harness this moment to boost our cooperation and at the same time boost jobs, growth and opportunity for all of our people for many years to come.

    Thank you.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Companies Avoiding Sanctions Regime

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Companies Avoiding Sanctions Regime

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 17 June 2026.

    Those who seek to evade our sanctions regime and support Putin’s cronies should be in no doubt, we will come after you.

    It is vital we support Ukraine and continue to ramp up pressure on Russia, as every pound flowing into Putin’s war chest is being used to fuel conflict in Europe and undermine our security.

  • Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    The comments made by Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, on 16 June 2026.

    As the Kremlin resorts to ever more shady tactics to sustain its war, from its ageing shadow fleet to covert finance networks, the UK remains one step ahead in shutting them down. 

    These sanctions strike at the heart of these murky efforts, to starve Putin’s war machine and defend Britain’s security. 

    Shoulder to shoulder with our G7 partners, the UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 16 June 2026.

    These sanctions target the vessels, the money and the actors propping up Russia’s war economy, and in turn, threatening European security.

    Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure in Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Statement on Russian Attack on Romania

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Statement on Russian Attack on Romania

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 29 May 2026.

    Last night a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace and hit a residential building, injuring civilians. This is a serious violation of NATO airspace. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure threatens the security of our entire continent. The UK unreservedly condemns such strikes. 

    Time and again, Russia has shown it has no regard for civilian life, for international law, or for the sovereignty of its neighbours. That must not be allowed to stand.

    We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, with Romania, and with all our NATO allies in the face of continued Russian aggression.

  • Alex Davies-Jones – 2026 Speech at the United for Justice Conference in Kyiv

    Alex Davies-Jones – 2026 Speech at the United for Justice Conference in Kyiv

    The speech made by Alex Davies-Jones, the Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, in Kyiv on 7 May 2026.

    Friends…

    I am so honoured to be here with you all today…

    On behalf of the British Government, and the British public –

    Which stands, now, and always…

    With the people of Ukraine.

    We are four years into this brutal war.

    Four long years of unspeakable atrocities, and hardship.

    Four years in which Ukraine’s children have grown up subjected to terror from the skies…

    And the constant sound of sirens.

    For some of them, it is all they have ever known. 

    Four years of families being torn apart, and homes reduced to rubble.

    Lives shattered in ways that that most people cannot – and will never have to – comprehend.

    And yet, despite everything – Ukraine endures.

    Despite the bombs, you stand.

    Despite the brutality, you resist.

    Despite the pain, you continue to fight.

    And all of us here stand with you.

    Because the Ukrainian spirit – your courage, your resilience…

    Your belief in a better future – has not been broken.

    It is that hope we all share:

    That together, we can secure a lasting peace…

    And rebuild this remarkable country, even stronger than before.

    And through the 100 Year Partnership between our two countries, the UK is clear:

    We will stand with Ukraine not just in this moment of war…

    But in the long work of recovery, and rebuilding for generations to come.

    But we cannot speak of peace…

    We cannot speak of rebuilding…

    Without speaking of justice.

    There can be no lasting peace without accountability.

    And the UK is unwavering in its commitment to that accountability.

    We are supporting Ukraine politically, financially, and practically –

    Including £16.5 million for domestic war crimes investigations…

    Ensuring Ukraine has the skills and expertise it needs to drive these forward…

    With ongoing support for the International Criminal Court…

    And we continue to back efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression…

    So those responsible for Russia’s war are held to account.

    And justice for victims remains at the heart of this.

    Justice for the people of Bucha, and Irpin…

    For all Ukrainians whose lives, rights, and dignity have been violated.

    And for the children.

    Ripped from their homes and the people they love…

    As their families weep for their return.

    More than 20,000 of them…

    Forcibly deported, and denied the chance to come home…

    Many subjected to indoctrination camps…

    Which seek to erase their very identity as Ukrainians…

    To wipe out their proud culture…

    And destroy Ukraine’s future…

    Something the UN Independent inquiry has described as a crime against humanity.

    The international community must not turn a blind eye…

    And we will not look away.

    We will keep calling Russia out for these crimes.

    We demand the return of every child…

    And will press for it in every forum we have.  

    And we are backing words with action…

    Supporting Ukrainian-led efforts to verify cases…

    Trace children’s whereabouts…

    And reunite families.

    And we must also pursue justice for the violence that is not so readily seen.

    The violence hidden through shame, or stigma…

    The rapes, and sexual violence…

    Used brutally, and systematically as a weapon of war.

    Against women.

    Against men.

    Against children.

    These crimes are devastating…

    And they are, so often, underreported…

    Because of fear…

    Or the sheer difficulty of investigation in occupied areas.

    But they must be confronted.

    And the UK is helping Ukraine to protect women and girls from sexual violence, and other gender-based crime…

    Ensuring that specialist services are there for survivors…

    So they can begin to recover and rebuild their lives.

    At the same time, we are supporting Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors to pursue survivor-centred justice…

    Equipping them with the skills and expertise they need.

    And we are absolutely clear:

    Ukraine’s recovery can only happen if women are able to play their part.

    That is why we champion the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in decision-making…

    Which will be critical not only to Ukraine’s reconstruction…

    But to securing a just, prosperous and lasting peace. 

    Yet even in the darkest moments of war, Ukraine has been a leader…

    Not least in tech, and innovation.

    You have revolutionised the fight against Russian drones…

    A threat causing such devastation to your cities, and infrastructure.

    In the UK, that same technology is the scourge of our prisons –

    Flying in drugs and weapons, and fuelling addiction, violence and organised crime.

    We are incredibly grateful to Ukraine for sharing its hard-won experience here…

    In January, we announced funding to accelerate anti-drone research…

    And we are now launching a new open competition…

    Innovate UK are providing £5 million for UK research organisations to build on that momentum…

    I hope Ukrainian researchers will consider partnering with them…

    So that new relationships will emerge, which can turbocharge this technology.

    And as the UK works with Ukraine through our Memorandum of Co-operation, signed last year…

    To rebuild its justice system, and strengthen the rule of law…

    This is real partnership:

    Not a one-way street…

    But learning from each other…

    To keep our people safe.

    As this war continues, our sense of solidarity only grows stronger.

    And our shared purpose is clear:

    A just and lasting peace for Ukraine…

    Because peace without justice is no peace at all.

    The UK will continue to stand with you.

    Together – we will have accountability,

    We will drive recovery…

    We will lay the foundations for freedom.

    And, just as the Ukrainian spirit is undimmed…

    Its courage, unflinching…

    Our shared hope for the future, is unbreakable.

    Thank you, and Slava Ukraini.