Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 February 2026.

Joint Ministerial Statement from the UK and partners on the Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Operations in Sudan.

We express grave concern over the continued deadly unlawful attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian operations as heavy fighting across the Kordofan and Darfur States continues. The recent severe escalation in drone and aerial attacks including those affecting displaced civilians, health facilities, food convoys and areas near humanitarian compounds have resulted in a significant number of civilian deaths and injuries and is further disrupting humanitarian access and supply lines.

In recent weeks alone, drone and rocket strikes on trucks and warehouses of the World Food Programme, as well as on health facilities, have resulted in the deaths and severe injuries of civilians and humanitarian personnel and the destruction of urgently needed humanitarian supplies and infrastructure. Intentional attacks against humanitarian personnel, vehicles, or supplies, as well as wilfully impeding relief supplies, are contrary to international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.

The Darfur and Kordofan States remain at the epicenter of the world’s largest humanitarian and protection crisis. Sexual and gender-based violence is rampant, famine is confirmed and severe hunger continues to spread. Up to 100.000 people have been displaced in recent months in the Kordofan states alone. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, violations and abuses committed by the RSF and its allied militias in and around El Fasher last October risk being repeated in the Kordofan region. We urgently repeat our call to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allied militias to immediately cease hostilities.

We condemn the abhorrent violence against civilians, particularly women and children and all serious violations of international humanitarian law in the strongest terms. These violations may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity and must be promptly and impartially investigated, with those responsible for international crimes brought to justice.

All parties must respect international humanitarian law which includes an obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid, safe and unimpeded access of food, medicine, and other essential supplies to civilians in need. Civilians including humanitarian personnel must be protected at all times, particularly women and girls, who remain at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Those fleeing must be granted safe passage.

We stand with the people of Sudan and humanitarian organisations – local and international – who are working tirelessly and under extremely challenging conditions to assist them.

This statement has been signed by:

Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany

Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy

Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia

Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria

Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus

David van Weel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands

Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta

Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management

Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland

Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France

Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain

Juraj Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden

Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium

Oana Țoiu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania

Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand

Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom

Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia

Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland

Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minster for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxembourg

Ana Isabel Xavier, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal

Dominik Stillhart, Head of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, Deputy Director General of Swiss Development Cooperation

Jiri Brodsky, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Nikolay Berievski, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria

Péter Sztáray, State Secretary for Security Policy and Energy Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary

Croatia

Poland

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 February 2026.

Joint Statement by the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands on Alexei Navalny’s death.

The UK, Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands are confident that Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a lethal toxin. 

This is the conclusion of our Governments based on analyses of samples from Alexei Navalny. These analyses have conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine. 

Epibatidine is a toxin found in poison dart frogs in South America. It is not found naturally in Russia. 

Russia claimed that Navalny died of natural causes. But given the toxicity of epibatidine and reported symptoms, poisoning was highly likely the cause of his death. Navalny died while held in prison, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison to him. 

Russia’s repeated disregard for international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention is clear. 

In August 2020 the UK, Sweden, France, Germany, The Netherlands and partners condemned Russia’s use of novichok to poison Alexei Navalny. 

This followed Russia’s use of novichok in Salisbury in 2018, which led to the tragic death of a British woman, Dawn Sturgess. 

In both cases, only the Russian state had the combined means, motive and disregard for international law to carry out the attacks. 

These latest findings once again underline the need to hold Russia accountable for its repeated violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and, in this instance, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. 

Our Permanent Representatives to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have written today to the Director General to inform him of this Russian breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention. 

We are further concerned that Russia did not destroy all of its chemical weapons. 

We and our partners will make use of all policy levers at our disposal to continue to hold Russia to account. 

Agreed by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and the UK.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 February 2026.

• UK and partners are today exposing the tragic circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny’s death and have confirmed there was poison found in samples from his body.
• As Ministers meet at the Munich Security Conference, this news comes on the two-year anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death in a penal colony in Siberia. 
• UK reporting the poisoning to the Organisation for the prohibition of Chemical Weapons as a flagrant violation by Russia of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and urges Russia to immediately cease this dangerous activity. 

The UK is today exposing the brutal and barbaric circumstances surrounding the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison.

Two years after the Munich Security Conference was shocked by the news of the leading Russian opposition figure’s death, consistent, collaborative work has confirmed through laboratory testing that the deadly toxin found in the skin of Ecuador dart frogs (epibatidine) was found in samples from Alexei Navalny’s body and highly likely resulted in his death.  

Only the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin to target Navalny during his imprisonment in a Russian penal colony in Siberia, and we hold it responsible for his death.  

Epibatidine can be found naturally in dart frogs in the wild in South America. Dart frogs in captivity do not produce this toxin and it is not found naturally in Russia. There is no innocent explanation for its presence in Navalny’s body.  

Russia has brazenly developed and deployed this poison in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Russia’s egregious and irresponsible actions, including its barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine continue to threaten our shared security. Time and again the Russian state shows the depths it is willing to go to terrorise people and undermine democracy.  

The UK has pursued the truth of Alexei Navalny’s death with partners from Sweden, France, the Netherlands and Germany. We know the Russian state now used this lethal toxin to target Navalny in fear of his opposition.

Today’s announcement comes as the Foreign Secretary attends the Munich Security Conference where she met with Yulia Navalnaya to reflect on her husband’s enduring legacy and outlined the painstaking laboratory work that has been carried out since his death in Russian captivity was discovered.

Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:  

Since Yulia Navalnaya announced the loss of her husband here in Munich two years ago, the UK has pursued the truth of Alexei Navalny’s death with fierce determination

“Only the Russian Government had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin against Alexei Navalny during his imprisonment in Russia. 

Today, beside his widow, the UK is shining a light on the Kremlin’s barbaric plot to silence his voice.

Russia saw Navalny as a threat. By using this form of poison the Russian state demonstrated the despicable tools it has at its disposal and the overwhelming fear it has of political opposition.

The UK has informed the Organisation on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of Russia’s blatant breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Alongside partners the UK will continue to hold Russia to account for its actions.  

This alarming pattern of behaviour follows the targeting of the Skripal’s with Novichok on the streets of Salisbury in 2018 and Russian troops frequent use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. 

It is clear Russia did not destroy all its chemical weapons as claimed in 2017, and that it has not renounced biological weapons, as it is obliged to under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.  

The Kremlin believes that it can develop these weapons covertly and without consequences. They are mistaken. The UK knows what Russia is doing and will expose and combat this activity at every opportunity.  

The UK continues to stand with civil society and human rights defenders tirelessly to build a better future for Russia despite immense personal risk.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2026.

FCDO statement on parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

We welcome the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh which took place on 12 February 2026. The peaceful electoral process delivered conclusive results. This represents an important step forward in Bangladesh’s ambitions and the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. 

We look forward to the new government advancing democratic, economic, and social reforms. We will work closely with Bangladesh on our shared priorities of economic growth, migration, climate and security, building on the strong connections between our people.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

I will make three points.

First, echoing the statement of the Council yesterday, the United Kingdom welcomes the agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces in late January to bring an end to the fighting in North-East Syria. 

The UK has engaged closely with both sides, and we commend the work of the US to help broker this agreement. 

This is a critical step towards a stable and unified Syria.

We encourage all involved to commit to de-escalation and to avoid destabilising action. 

There have been important steps in the implementation of the agreement, including the Presidential decree on the protection of Kurdish rights. 

It is critical that momentum is maintained, and full integration of SDF military and civilian structures into the Syrian state is carried out in a timely and equitable manner.

Second, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation in the region, with significant displacement and disruption of services and humanitarian provision, including in Kobane and Al Hol camp. 

Now that an agreement has been reached, we call for sustained, unimpeded humanitarian access across the country.

The UK continues to provide humanitarian support in IDP camps through our implementing partners. 

We remain concerned by conditions in these facilities, and reports of escaped Daesh detainees.

We encourage the Syrian Government to develop a robust transition plan for securing and managing the camps, in coordination with the UN and international partners, to mitigate security risks.

Third, Ms Dureid, you gave us a powerful testimony on the importance of the inclusion of women in political processes.

We must seize this opportunity to advance women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation and their leadership in all political and decision-making processes in Syria. 

The UN has an important role to play in supporting this and other elements of Syria’s transition, and we look forward to the swift establishment of the Special Envoy’s Office in Damascus.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 February 2026.

The UK Minister for International Development and Africa, Baroness Jenny Chapman, concluded her first visit to Somalia where she also announced £6 million in new humanitarian funding to Somalia.

At Villa Somalia, the Minister was hosted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Discussions focussed on the rapidly escalating drought risk across Somalia and the significant challenges it is causing for vulnerable communities. Baroness Chapman underscored the UK’s shift from a traditional donor relationship to an investment‑driven development partnership, designed to strengthen Somali resilience, support economic opportunity, reduce long‑term vulnerability to climate‑induced shocks and deter irregular migration. She also recognised the critical leadership role the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) continues to play in responding to drought‑related needs across the country and agreed to continue vital coordination between the FGS and the UK to address need. 

The Minister congratulated the President for his government’s leadership in response to the ongoing drought and food security crisis and heard how, through collaboration between the government, the UK, the World Bank and the United Nations, over 500,000 people affected by drought are already receiving emergency cash support. She also welcomed the activation of the UK-supported African Risk Capacity (ARC) insurance policy for emergency drought response – triggering $3.4 million in rapid pay-outs to the government, ensuring timely and effective support to those most in need. 

The Minister and President also discussed the activation of the ARC Replica insurance for the Start Network and the World Food Programme, providing over $2 million for humanitarian partners to respond quickly to needs. Start Network’s pre-arranged finance facility Start Ready has already disbursed almost $3 million for anticipatory action in Somalia, mitigating humanitarian impacts before conditions deteriorate. The UK has supported these mechanisms since their inception as part of efforts to increase the use of pre-arranged finance for early action and improve the efficiency of humanitarian response.   

Visiting a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Mogadishu with Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Baroness Chapman announced £6 million in additional UK humanitarian assistance. This new assistance will target the highest‑need locations to deliver life‑saving support to over 129,000 people impacted by drought.   

Speaking at the WFP warehouse, the Minister emphasised the need to protect vulnerable Somali communities and get urgent assistance to them in advance. She urged continued partnership between the UK, UN, the Somali government and other partners.  

Ending her programme in Somalia, the Minister met United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) leaders, to thank them for their commitment to Somalia’s security. During a visit to their air operations facility, she was able to better understand the UN’s vital support work and see the contribution made by UK support to AUSSOM and UNSOS. She also met UK service personnel, part of Operation Tangham, supporting UN and AU operations and thanked them for their vital efforts to train the Somali National Army.  

UK funding is helping to build the capacity of the Somali forces, saving lives and countering violent extremists – for a safer, more secure Somalia.

Further information

• for more information on UK activity in Somalia, follow us on X, Facebook and  Instagram
• the new £6 million in humanitarian support forms part of a £61 million UK package of funding in financial year 2025/26 to bilaterally address both immediate humanitarian needs and the underlying drivers of crisis in Somalia, including over £12 million to a partnership with the Federal government, World Food Programme and World Bank to provide shock-responsive social protection to the most vulnerable drought affected households
• African Risk Capacity is Africa’s regional risk insurance scheme for drought, tropical cyclones, floods and disease outbreaks, providing affordable insurance for countries (ARC) and humanitarian agencies (ARC Replica insurance).  The UK is a founder member/donor, including subsidising multiyear drought insurance for Somalia ($9 million over 3 years) alongside the African Development Bank.  The UK also subsidises the ARC Replica insurance for Start Network (£6 million over 2 years for four high risk African countries) and also WFP (via the Global Shield Financing Facility).  For more information on ARC, please see African Risk Capacity Limited – Resilience Risk Pools
• Start Ready is an innovative pre-arranged finance facility that funds anticipatory and early action through locally-led organisations. For more information, please see Start Ready Start Network

STORY

The United Kingdom has formally declared its full support for Yemen’s newly formed government, hailing the transition as a pivotal opportunity to restore security and prosperity to the war-torn nation. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council in New York on 12 February 2026, Ambassador James Kariuki, the UK Chargé d’Affaires, praised the leadership of Prime Minister Zindani and the Presidential Leadership Council for their efforts to stabilise the country.

A significant focus of the British statement was the inclusion of three women ministers in the new Cabinet. The UK delegation emphasised that an inclusive administration is essential for lasting progress, arguing that representing all segments of Yemeni society is a prerequisite for a sustainable political settlement. This diplomatic endorsement comes as the international community looks for a breakthrough in a conflict that has spanned over a decade.

Despite the political optimism, the humanitarian outlook remains dire. Ambassador Kariuki noted that 22 million people continue to require urgent assistance, warning that the primary healthcare system faces a potential collapse while food insecurity continues to spiral. The UK underscored the need for a collective global effort to address these shortages, particularly as the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) begins its orderly drawdown following the adoption of Resolution 2831.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 February 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

I would like to start by welcoming the announcement of the new government of Yemen and commend the leadership of Prime Minister Zindani and the Presidential Leadership Council. 

This marks an important step for Yemen and an opportunity for important economic, governance, and security reforms.

The UK fully supports the government’s efforts to advance security, stability, and prosperity for the Yemeni people.  

We would like, in particular, to welcome the three new women ministers in the Cabinet. An inclusive government is vital for lasting progress. 

Second, following the adoption of Resolution 2831, we remain closely engaged on the orderly and safe drawdown of UN personnel and assets, as the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement, UNMHA, in Yemen closes. 

 We look forward to the Special Envoy’s continued efforts to deliver on the UN’s commitments under the Hudaydah Agreement.

Third, Yemen remains one of the most acute humanitarian crises in the world, as we’ve heard today, with 22 million people in need of assistance, spiralling food insecurity, and the potential collapse of the primary healthcare system.

We need to act collectively and urgently to galvanise efforts to address these needs.

Finally, we have heard again today in the Council, the unequivocal call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained by the Houthis.

The UK strongly condemns the death sentences issued by the Houthi authorities and the continued detention of aid workers. 

These actions violate fundamental rights and due process. They also shrink the operational space for NGOs, which is vital to supporting Yemenis who remain in desperate need. They must be released.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 February 2026.

Ambassador Holland rejects Russia’s false claims about the OSCE, stressing that it is Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, refusal to engage with OSCE mechanisms and continued detention of OSCE staff that undermine the organisation. The UK remains ready for meaningful dialogue at the OSCE, but this should be based on facts and law.

Thank you, Mr Chair. And thank you for the briefing this morning.

Last week, ahead of the visit by the Chairperson-in-office and Secretary General, the Russian Federation released a statement claiming that Western participating States had destroyed the OSCE by drifting away from its founding principles. This is not correct. One participating State has been responsible for repeated and serious violations of those principles, and that State is Russia.

The Helsinki Final Act and the wider body of OSCE commitments are clear. States must refrain from the threat or use of force, respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, and settle disputes through peaceful means. Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing attacks that have severely impacted civilians and critical infrastructure show a clear disregard for these commitments. It should be obvious to say, but to accuse others of abandoning the OSCE’s principles while pursuing a war of aggression is hypocrisy.

Russia has also suggested that it has been pushed out of the OSCE framework. This is also not supported by events. In the lead up to the full-scale invasion, participating States made full use of the Vienna Document mechanisms to try to reduce risks and to seek transparency. For instance, participating States enacted the Renewed European Security Dialogue and the Early Warning Mechanism to engage Russia before its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. The fact is that Russia has repeatedly refused to engage, avoided meetings and spread false narratives. It has continued to deny access to the temporarily occupied territories, undermining OSCE mandated functions including monitoring the humanitarian situation. This is not a failure by the OSCE. It is a refusal by Russia to take part in good faith.

Today, participating States, including the UK, continue to raise Russia’s actions in Ukraine every week in this Council and in the Forum for Security Cooperation. We are critical of the invasion and the conduct of it but we look for meaningful dialogue based on facts and law. Russia has so far not responded in that spirit. Instead, it has repeated propaganda, made accusations without evidence and used language that does not reflect the standards expected in this organisation.

One example stands out: three OSCE staff members remain in Russian detention. Vadym Golda, Maksym Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov were detained in April 2022 while carrying out their official duties under a mandate agreed by all participating States. They have now spent nearly four years in detention. A State that imprisons its own OSCE colleagues cannot claim to defend its principles.

Russia has also dismissed as illegitimate the OSCE mechanisms that it agreed to in the past but now finds uncomfortable, including the Moscow Mechanism. These tools were created by consensus. Their purpose is to allow the OSCE to respond when a participating State seriously violates our shared commitments. Rejecting them now does not change their validity or purpose.

Mr Chair, the OSCE may face challenges, but the cause is not the behaviour of those who uphold its principles. The cause is the behaviour of one participating State that has chosen to break them. The way forward is also clear. Russia should end its aggression, respect international law, and release the detained OSCE staff members.

The UK will continue to stand with Ukraine and support the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and the peaceful settlement of disputes. These remain the foundation of this Organisation.

Thank you.