Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 June 2026.

G7 leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues.

Ukraine

We, the Leaders of the G7, stand united in our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Ukrainian population suffering from attacks on their critical infrastructure and cultural heritage. We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasize there is now a new momentum.

To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities. We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production.

We stress the importance of energy resilience, on the basis of the needs and priorities expressed by Ukrainian authorities. We agree to provide further support to get the country through next winter.

We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as President Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Middle East

We recognize the breakthrough and the opportunity that currently exist in the Middle East.

We welcome the announcement of a deal between the United States and Iran, secured under the strong leadership of President Trump, with the support of mediating countries, which provides an historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring any nuclear weapon and tackling the threats related to its regional and ballistic activities. We support and are ready to contribute to its implementation.

We reaffirm that the right of transit passage without restrictions or tolls is the bedrock of international trade. We agree that the multinational, independent, and defensive initiative led by France and the UK can play an important role to facilitate the resumption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz by protecting merchant vessels, reassuring commercial shipping operators, and supporting verification that all mines are removed.

We strongly support a robust and comprehensive diplomatic follow-on agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding secured by President Trump that can bring peace and security for all in the region. We underline the need for the negotiation to this end to address the threats posed by Iran in the region and beyond and ensure that they never obtain a nuclear weapon. We agree that such a negotiation would benefit from the contributions from relevant regional and international partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We reaffirm that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon.

In Lebanon, we support, through an immediate robust ceasefire, the Lebanese leadership’s efforts to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah and the monopoly of arms, and to protect Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty with the appropriate international security guarantees.

In Gaza, we will accelerate humanitarian and reconstruction efforts and the swift implementation of relevant political and security measures. We call for ending violence in the West Bank.

We commit to accelerate the diversification of energy supply routes in order to reduce global vulnerability to the Strait of Hormuz and to increase our energy stocks. We welcome the potential for Canada to deliver significant additional capacity to global markets in coming years.

Indo-Pacific

We highlight the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. We reaffirm our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, in particular by force or coercion, in the East and South China Seas and across the Taiwan Strait, which should only be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

We express deep concern about North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. We urge North Korea to resolve the abductions issue immediately. We reiterate the need to jointly address North Korea’s cryptocurrency thefts and cybercrimes.

We welcome the Global Convergence for Growth Summit convened by President Macron on June 11th 2026, with the participation of China. We reaffirm our common interest in converging with other large economies on the causes of large and persistent global imbalances and on the need to address them. We will continue these efforts within the G20 under the United States’ host year and in other relevant fora.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 June 2026.

The United Kingdom has imposed its largest ever penalty for a breach of Russian financial sanctions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

• UK travel technology firm fined more than £1 million for breaching UK financial sanctions against Russia.
• Sabre Global Technologies Limited made funds and economic resources available to a designated Russian airline for seven months in 2022, and tested alternative payment routes to get around UK sanctions.
• Third penalty issued under OFSI’s new settlement policy, as the UK continues ironclad support of Ukraine.

The £1 million fine has been levied against a technology firm – Sabre Global Technologies Limited (SGTL) – that repeatedly breached UK financial sanctions.  

The action by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) – part of HM Treasury – underlines the UK’s increasingly robust enforcement of the Russia sanctions regime in support of Ukraine and sends clear compliance lessons to industry.

The penalty is also the first issued by OFSI for a circumvention offence, and comes as the UK steps up enforcement action on those seeking to evade our sanctions regime. 

SGTL, which provides travel technology services, continued to provide Russian carrier Ural Airlines access to its Global Distribution System service for seven months after it was designated by the UK in May 2022. SGTL was notified of the designation on the day it took effect.

After payments to its UK bank were blocked for sanctions concerns, SGTL explored alternative ways of receiving payments from Ural Airlines.

This included asking Ural Airlines to send a test payment to a non-UK SGTL bank account, intending for future settlements to be routed through this account. This amounted to circumvention of UK sanctions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

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.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

Our support for Ukraine is ironclad.

This largest ever penalty for breaches of financial sanctions since Russia’s 2022 illegal invasion sends a clear message – we will take decisive action against those who break UK financial sanctions and help fund Russia’s war machine.

The UK alone has sanctioned more than 3300 individuals, businesses and ships under the Russia sanctions regime.

This latest action follows sanctions packages in May which targeted the infrastructure underpinning Russia’s war economy, including crypto exchanges and maritime services.

SGTL has been fined a total of £1,000,920.59 for breaches of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 June 2026.

Leaders’ declaration on tackling migrant smuggling.

We, the Leaders of the G7, reaffirm our enduring efforts to prevent and counter the smuggling of migrants. Taking stock of the G7 Leaders’ statements adopted in Apulia in 2024 and Kananaskis in 2025, we renew our commitment to preventing, countering and dismantling organised criminal networks that profit from the smuggling of migrants, the trafficking in persons and other related crimes, as well as to disrupting the business models of organised criminal enterprises. Partner countries of the G7, Kenya and the Republic of Korea, also support this declaration.

Migrant smuggling and human trafficking constitute serious transnational crimes that erode the sovereign right of States to control their borders and expose smuggled and trafficked persons to life-threatening risks. We are committed to tackling organised illegal migration. We remain committed to fight against all forms of abuse and exploitation of migrants, ensuring protection of the most vulnerable, including refugees and forcibly displaced persons.

Accordingly, we task our relevant Ministers to continue taking robust action to further deliver on the G7 Action Plan to Prevent and Counter the Smuggling of Migrants.

We recognise ongoing work to adopt targeted sanctions and other restrictive measures against individuals and entities involved in migrant smuggling, including online, where consistent with our legal systems. In that regard, we recall our determination, expressed under the Canadian presidency, to intensify our cooperation with online platforms and relevant actors for them to detect, prevent and remove online content used to conduct smuggling operations.

We will also deepen cooperation with countries of origin and transit to dismantle smuggling and trafficking networks, and to prevent organised illegal migration by strengthening our efforts to build stability in order to enable all individuals to live and thrive in their own countries, safeguarding their safety, rights and dignity, including through improved economic conditions.

We note the obligations on States to accept return of their own nationals and to enhance processes to ensure timely, safe, lawful and dignified return of those with no legal right to stay in our territories. Respectful of national competences, we take note of new lawful approaches explored by some members with third countries to strengthen migration management.

This declaration reflects the outcome of the discussion between G7 members, benefiting from productive exchanges of views with partner countries.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 June 2026.

Prime Minister secures major jobs and energy investment at G7 to deliver growth and security at home.

• £1.3 billion in new investment secured from leading companies in France and India to back clean energy and AI projects in the UK
• More than 1,400 new jobs to be created in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham
• Major new battery storage and clean power projects to boost energy security and help bring down bills for working people

The Prime Minister will unveil a major package of international investment into the UK economy at the G7 Summit, delivering more than a thousand jobs, strengthening energy security and helping to bring down costs for working people.

The deal includes major investments from French and Indian firms into Britain’s clean energy infrastructure and AI sector – backing high-skilled jobs in cities including Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham while helping deliver more stable and affordable energy.

At a time of rising global instability, including conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Prime Minister is using the summit to work with partners to reduce pressures on household bills, strengthen supply chains and unlock new opportunities for British workers.

Today’s investments come as the Prime Minister meets world leaders to drive growth and security at home in an increasingly uncertain global context. They include:

• £25 million investment from Indian based tech firm Hexaware Technologies to expand its UK operations, creating around 1,200 jobs in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham in AI, digital services and quantum technologies
• £1 billion from InfraVia to invest in a pipeline of battery storage and flexible energy projects across the UK — helping ensure electricity remains available when demand is high, and keeping the grid stable and affordable
• More than £300 million from Atri Energy Transition to develop large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing creating more than 100 jobs and supporting the UK’s clean energy future

Together, these investments will support high-skilled jobs, strengthen the UK’s energy independence, and help protect households from volatile global energy prices.

The government is determined to accelerate the shift to homegrown power, reducing reliance on international fossil fuel markets and helping deliver more stable, affordable energy for families and businesses over the long term.

Today’s announcement cements the UK’s leadership in clean energy, with the government having secured £90 billion in private investment into renewable projects since taking office.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The world is more dangerous than it has been for a generation, with conflict abroad washing up on our shores.

That’s why I’m focused on making the UK the best place to do business by offering global investors the stability and competitive environment they need to grow, even in the face of global uncertainty.

These investments will create thousands of high-skilled jobs, back British innovation and strengthen our energy system so families are better protected from global shocks.

The announcements also underline the UK’s standing as a leading destination for investment, particularly in new and emerging industries such as AI and clean energy and build on the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

Hexaware Technologies, which is based in India, is set to expand its presence in the UK through the expansion of its delivery centre in Birmingham and establishment of its R&D Centres in Manchester and Leeds. The investment will support innovation at scale in new and emerging technologies including AI and quantum computing and is expected to create around 1,200 jobs over the next three to five years, supported by £25 million in capital investment.

Atri Energy Transition – an India-based clean energy investor – will invest more than £300 million in the UK to develop large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing. This includes new facilities supporting more than 100 jobs and helping store energy so it can be used when demand is highest. This will strengthen the UK’s energy security and help protect households from spikes in global energy prices.

InfraVia’s £1 billion investment will fund a pipeline of projects across the UK, including battery storage and a flexible energy platform that can be switched on to boost supply when renewable energy is low. In practice, this means a more reliable electricity system that can keep the lights on during periods of high demand, helping to stabilise energy prices and reduce the risk of sudden spikes in household bills.

CEO of Hexaware Technologies Srikrishna Ramakarthikeyan said:

Hexaware has worked alongside businesses in the UK for more than three decades. We have very high ambitions for our growth, creating impact in the UK and proudly supporting the Government’s inclusive vision for AI. 

Our investments are focused on developing young talent, working with unique published datasets, and collaborating with government at all levels across the country to create a positive impact for the citizens of the UK. These investments in AI research, digital innovation for citizen services, and talent incubation will create meaningful social impact while fuelling and accelerating the UK’s long-term economic growth.

CEO & Founder of InfraVia Capital Partners Vincent Levita said:

We believe the launch of Supernova Power is the kind of investment the UK needs as it moves towards a more electrified, digital and low-carbon economy. 

As digital infrastructure, EV and the wider electrification of industry increase pressure on power systems, flexible generation and battery storage will be essential to maintaining energy security, strengthening grid resilience and enabling more renewable power to come online. This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK’s energy infrastructure market and testimony on the stability of its regulation and commitment towards renewable energy.

The Prime Minister is working with G7 partners to ease pressures on global energy markets, including efforts to stabilise key shipping routes and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East to help bring down costs for households.

By securing investment through international engagement, the Government is delivering tangible benefits at home – from new jobs and investment in communities to stronger energy security and lower household bills.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

The Prime Minister met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the G7 this afternoon.

The leaders began by reflecting on the peace deal struck between the United States and Iran on Sunday, and paid tribute to President Trump’s efforts, and all partners involved, to secure a way forward.

It was vital the Strait of Hormuz was now opened with no tolls and full freedom of navigation for global shipping, they agreed.

The leaders then discussed the success of their respective visits to India and the UK and underlined the strength of the friendship between both countries.

That relationship was delivering growth, opportunity and jobs in both countries, the leaders agreed.

UK businesses were keen to invest and collaborate with Indian partners across a whole range of sectors, including defence and AI, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

The Prime Minister met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the G7 in France this afternoon.

The Prime Minister began by updating President Zelenskyy on the UK’s latest package of support, including £210 million of UK Export Finance support to power Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, and 70 new sanctions targeting Russia’s decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks.

The leaders discussed Ukraine’s momentum on the battlefield and reflected on the session held by G7 leaders earlier in the day, which had underlined their unity on Ukraine.

It was clear there was a collective resolve to put pressure on Putin, both leaders agreed.

It was now vital G7 countries gave Ukraine the support it needed to continue its success in driving back Russian forces, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

G7 Leaders’ call on the fight against cancer.

We, the Leaders of the G7, reaffirm our commitment to accelerate the fight against cancer. Partner countries of the G7, Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya and the Republic of Korea, also support this call on the fight against cancer.

Cancer kills nearly 10 million people each year worldwide and new cases are projected to increase by 80 per cent globally by 2050, given the aging of the population and its interactions with environmental and behavioural risk factors, placing an ever-greater burden on societies, health systems and economies. Improvements in access to cancer prevention – including through screening, diagnosis and care – can and should be made. While major scientific advances have been achieved in several critical areas, progress should be accelerated by alignment of research efforts and faster translation of innovation into care. In this regard, we welcome that such advances have brought the elimination of cervical cancer within reach and we will accelerate our efforts to that end.

We are determined to deepen international scientific cooperation, close persistent gaps in prevention and early detection, and ensure that progress in oncology reaches every patient. While acknowledging our existing financing efforts and the shared global responsibility, where we have taken a leadership role, we commit to strengthening our endeavours to advance cancer research and development.

We commend the scientific advances made through international, regional and national initiatives. We have made concrete progress on aligning our cancer research programmes, strengthening collaboration between leading cancer institutes and advancing interoperable data standards for paediatric and adolescent cancers.

Accelerating international data access for paediatric, adolescent and young adult cancers.

We recognize that no single country possesses sufficient data to generate robust evidence across the full range of paediatric, adolescent and young adult tumour types. Building on existing international, regional and national initiatives – in accordance with our legislation, priorities, capacities and resources, and in compliance with applicable rules on privacy, data protection and intellectual property rights – we intend to work towards:

• Promoting collaboration between existing data resources and programmes, where appropriate, to bridge national registries, advance interoperability standards and enable responsible cross-border data collaboration, in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks while respecting national competences.
• Supporting large-scale, multi-dimensional data integration, including clinical, genomic and imaging data, which enables safe and secure data use without the necessity for direct data transfer, drawing on artificial intelligence, where appropriate and according to legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Building on existing international, regional and national initiatives to avoid duplication, close gaps and strengthen international research collaboration for paediatric, adolescent and young adult cancers.

Intensifying our fight against cancers with poor prognosis.

We recognize that mortality from cancers with poor prognosis is one of the foremost global scientific challenges. Building on existing international, regional and national initiatives, we intend to work towards:

• Supporting research on cancers with poor prognosis and the work towards establishing a shared international definition and research agenda for cancers with poor prognosis, recognizing them as a major global challenge.
• Setting ambitious targets for the roll-out of screening programmes and for the diagnosis of more cancers at stage 1, as appropriate within national health systems and country contexts, to improve survival rates for cancers with poor prognosis, and in particular to significantly reduce lung cancer mortality in the next ten years.
• Fostering innovative international research programmes, improving cooperation on clinical trials and accelerating the translation of scientific advances – including through digital technologies, artificial intelligence and quantum research – into clinical practice for patients.

Strengthening access to quality cancer care for all.

We recognize that access to quality cancer care for all remains a pressing challenge. We intend to work towards:

• Supporting country-led efforts to strengthen resilient and self-reliant health systems capable of delivering high-quality cancer care for all.
• Encouraging the development of comprehensive cancer centres, as anchors of research excellence, care quality and education internationally.
• Promoting the secure, responsible and trustworthy use of evidence-based digital technologies, artificial intelligence and quantum research to improve early detection, support clinical decision-making, strengthen palliative care and expand the reach of evidence-based care for all, while preserving patients’ privacy.

We will remain engaged and review progress on these commitments.

This call for action reflects the outcome of the discussion between G7 members, benefiting from productive exchanges of views with partner countries.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 June 2026.

G7 Leaders’ call for a coordinated response to the Bundibugyo ebola outrbreak.

We, the Leaders of the G7, call for a strong and coordinated response to address the health security risks posed by the re-emerging outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Partner countries of the G7, Egypt, India, Kenya and the Republic of Korea, also support this call.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the burden that the disease is inflicting on the affected communities and stand in solidarity with the countries affected. The current outbreak is centred in an isolated, conflict-affected area in DRC which makes containment, medical treatment and response logistics challenging. Existing vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies are not fully effective on the rare viral strain at issue. We recognize the courageous efforts undertaken by healthcare workers, volunteers and local communities, and the stepped-up efforts by national governments to respond to this outbreak.

Recalling previous G7 efforts to combat Ebola, we are committed to working with partner countries to overcome these challenges. In line with our approach of mutually beneficial partnerships, our first goal must be to prevent further spread, both within the affected area in the eastern DRC and to neighbouring countries and other parts of the world. Containing and ending the outbreak will depend on effective contact tracing, infection prevention and control, quarantine and isolation practices, laboratory testing, cross-border preparedness, border surveillance and community engagement. To minimize the outbreak’s impact, we must ensure that the virus remains confined to as small an area as possible, where we can surge medical and humanitarian resources.

We are resolved to providing and mobilizing support for a coordinated global response to facilitate the development and effective delivery of dedicated vaccines, diagnostics and treatments to fight this outbreak over the next months. We commend G7 members, partners and other institutions that have already brought financial and technical support, including the deployment of medical personnel and expertise, to ensure a rapid international response to this outbreak, and those that will continue to announce additional support. We commend the United States’ rapid deployment of more than 370 million dollars in health and humanitarian resources for the region and its commitment to spend up to an additional 500 million dollars on Ebola response efforts specifically, in addition to 650 million dollars in humanitarian support for the Great Lakes region. We also commend the ongoing European Union support of 493 million euros in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment and health security in the Great Lakes and Uganda region, including 84 million euros in immediate humanitarian aid, development and research funding in response to the outbreak. The Continental Preparedness and Response Plan is mobilizing 518 million dollars to support African countries in preparing for, rapidly detecting, and responding to the outbreak. We call on other countries and partners beyond the G7 to dedicate resources to tackling this global threat through the means they deem most appropriate. Recognizing the important role of the private sector in responding to the outbreak, we also encourage the accelerated development of tools for prevention, preparedness and response.

In this regard, the G7 affirms its support for the humanitarian reset led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its plan to reach 87 million people with lifesaving aid in 2026. G7 members have provided over two thirds of the funding raised so far this year, and we call on other countries to join our efforts.

We continue to closely monitor the situation as it evolves, along with our partners, to ensure that this dangerous virus does not spread, including across borders. Millions will travel globally for business and tourism, and to enjoy the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the weeks ahead. We must ensure that they can do so safely. To that end, while respecting national prerogatives, we are committed to strengthening the coordination between our national authorities and working towards coherence on appropriate and effective travel, quarantine, and isolation procedures for individuals who have been in the affected regions, in line with the highest international public health and safety standards.

We note that effective public health measures are hampered by ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC. To that end, we call for all parties to honour their commitments and fully implement the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and the Doha Framework.

Finally, we call on relevant response actors to improve coordination and avoid duplication to ensure the fastest and most effective response to this crisis. In this context, we encourage alignment with the plans and needs identified by the United Nations.

The United States will convene a G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting to discuss further collective action and secure broader financial support for an impactful and coordinated global response to this public health emergency.

This call for action reflects the outcome of the discussion between G7 members, benefiting from productive exchanges of views with partner countries.