Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 April 2026.

Ambassador Holland condemned Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, denounced recent Russian threats and intimidation at the OSCE, reaffirmed the UK’s continued military support for Ukraine, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of unlawfully detained OSCE Special Monitoring Mission members.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

The UK remains steadfast in its condemnation of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, and of the broader pattern of behaviour that continues to undermine security, stability, and the principles on which this Organisation is founded.

Firstly I want to join my colleagues in condemning the threats made by the Russian Federation at last week’s meeting. This reflects a familiar attempt to intimidate and deter those who support Ukraine’s right to defend itself against an illegal and unprovoked invasion. It will not work.

The Russian state characterises international support for Ukraine’s defence against its deadly attacks as an escalation of the conflict – a claim that is unfounded and aimed at deflecting from its own actions. Our support for Ukraine, and readiness to defend ourselves, is lawful and necessary in response to Russia’s continued aggression. And in this regard I wish to associate the UK with the statement delivered by my French colleague today in its entirety.

Our common security is best protected not through threats, but through adherence to the shared principles set out in the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act — respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The UK and our partners stand firmly behind those principles. It is Russia that is violating them, systematically and flagrantly, through its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

The UK will not be deterred. The UK will continue to provide the military assistance Ukraine needs, for as long as it needs it.

Mr Chair, Russia’s disregard for agreed rules and commitments is also evident in its continued treatment of this Organisation and its personnel. This month marks four years since our colleagues from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine – Dmytro Shabanov, Vadym Golda and Maxim Petrov – were unlawfully detained by Russia and its proxies. They were detained while carrying out duties mandated by this Council, under a mission established by consensus, including by the Russian Federation. Their continued detention remains a clear breach of OSCE commitments.

Once again, the UK calls for their immediate and unconditional release. Their detention is not a marginal issue. It forms part of a broader pattern of obstructing independent observation, rejecting accountability, and weakening the institutions designed to reduce risk and build security across the OSCE area.

The OSCE exists to promote security through transparency, restraint and respect for agreed rules. Russia’s actions towards this Organisation run directly counter to those principles. And until Russia chooses compliance over obstruction and accountability over denial, its actions will continue to undermine trust in this Council and in the commitments we have all undertaken.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2026.

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

This breadth of UN engagement on Syria underlines the importance of the timely movement of the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria to Damascus, as a step towards further improved UN and international support to Syria.

I will make three points.

First, the UK was pleased to host Syrian President al-Sharaa during his visit to London on 31 March. 

This was a significant moment in deepening the relationship between our two countries, which will enable us to make further progress on issues that are pivotal to Syria’s stability, including securing the enduring defeat of Daesh and supporting Syria’s economic recovery.

In this spirit, I also welcome the newly established Breath of Freedom Taskforce that will work on the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria.  

The UK is proud to be a member of the Taskforce and to have announced over $9.5 million of additional funding in direct support of Syrian-led destruction activity during President al-Sharaa’s visit.

 Second, efforts to integrate North-East Syria into the Syrian state are welcome. 

This includes the appointment of Sipan Hamo to Deputy Minister of Defence, and recent prisoner exchanges.

We look forward to continued momentum towards the full integration of military and civil structures, which is essential to help strengthen Syria’s institutions and support social cohesion. 

The completion of all outstanding elections and the formal convening of Syria’s People’s Assembly will be a crucial next step for the political transition.

Finally, we have seen recent positive examples of strengthened collaboration to address ongoing humanitarian needs and move towards longer term recovery. 

This includes the joint visit of USG Fletcher and UNDP Administrator De Croo to Syria, the launch of the UN Humanitarian Response Plan, as well as the Syrian Government’s Statement of Recovery Priorities for International Cooperation. 

The UK will continue to help meet these needs, including for those affected by recent flooding. 

Maintaining safe and unimpeded humanitarian access across all of Syria remains essential to ensure the UN and partners can deliver vital assistance. 

Colleagues, it’s welcome that Syria has remained relatively unaffected by the ongoing regional conflict. Still, we urge the international community to remain focused on supporting progress towards Syria’s economic recovery and long-term stability.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

I will focus on three elements that are central to the current situation in Libya. Firstly economic governance, then sovereign resources, then migrants and refugees, and then I’ll look at the way forward.

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the milestone agreement on a unified budget reached on 11 April. 

This provides the opportunity to improve economic governance across Libya and strengthen the independence of its financial institutions. 

We welcome US efforts to facilitate this agreement and urge all parties to implement the budget in full.

We encourage all Libyan stakeholders to use this milestone confidence‑building measure, both to help rebuild trust between institutions and across political divides. 

We urge all sides to engage constructively and overcome the obstacles to progressing the SRSG’s roadmap. 

We reiterate our firm commitment to an inclusive political process, facilitated by the UN, which works towards national elections and safeguards Libya’s unity, sovereignty, and stability.

Second, this Council’s recent renewal of the Libya sanctions regime demonstrates our collective commitment to safeguarding Libya’s sovereign resources. 

Strengthened measures to prevent oil smuggling, alongside continued protections for frozen assets, will help ensure that Libya’s wealth is preserved for the long‑term benefit of the Libyan people. 

We call on all Libyan stakeholders to respect the independence of Libya’s institutions, including the National Oil Corporation and Central Bank of Libya, in order to ensure they can work without interference or politicisation.

Third, we remain deeply concerned by the situation of migrants and refugees in Libya, including reports of trafficking, abuse, and informal detention. 

We welcome the authorities’ ongoing cooperation with international partners, including on voluntary returns. But we urge continued efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and close informal detention centres to strengthen protection of migrants and refugees, uphold human rights, and support safe and dignified returns.

In conclusion, President, inaction is not an option. 

The Libyan people continue to seek unified governance that can provide security, stability, and opportunity. 

We urge all parties to prioritise citizens’ interests, to engage seriously with the SRSG’s roadmap in line with this Council’s Press Statement of 3 March, and to support a credible political process that can deliver enduring peace and shared prosperity.

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

An FCDO spokesperson said:

DPRK’s ballistic missile launches on 19 April are another breach of UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), destabilising regional peace and security.

The UK continues to urge DPRK to stop provocations, to engage in meaningful diplomacy and return to dialogue.

STORY

Britain has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in South Sudan, warning that continued fighting is worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis and putting more civilians at risk. In a statement to the UN Security Council, UK Deputy Permanent Representative Archie Young said the violence between the main parties to the peace agreement was causing fresh displacement, serious human rights abuses and further destruction in places including Akobo.

The UK said South Sudan’s leaders must meet their obligations under international law, protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need without obstruction. Young also pointed to reported abuses including conflict related sexual violence and the recruitment of children, saying the crisis could only be resolved through an inclusive political process involving all key parties, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition led by First Vice President Riek Machar.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

Thank you, President.

I congratulate SRSG Gbeho on her appointment and thank her and USG Fletcher for their briefings and clear steps. I also pay tribute to her predecessor, the late Fink Haysom, for his extraordinary contribution to the United Nations and the cause of peace.

In the context of this fragile and deteriorating situation, I will make three points.

First, calling for the protection of civilians; second, on the importance of an inclusive political dialogue; and third, on the critical role of the UN peacekeeping mission.

As we have heard very clearly from the briefers today, the continued fighting between the two main parties to the peace agreement is displacing civilians and compounding an already acute humanitarian crisis.

The Secretary-General’s reporting highlights serious human rights violations and abuses, including conflict‑related sexual violence and the recruitment of children.

In Akobo civilians have been killed, hundreds of thousands displaced and infrastructure destroyed, exacerbating the suffering of the South Sudanese people. We call on South Sudan’s leaders to comply with their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians and to allow unhindered humanitarian access to reach those in need.

Second, the United Kingdom recognises that the only solution to the current crisis in South Sudan is through the immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.

We welcome the appointment of AU Special Envoy President Kikwete and the close cooperation between the UN, AU, IGAD and other stakeholders including the Troika to support a resolution to the current crisis.

We strongly urge the transitional government and other parties to fully engage with these efforts and heed the appeals from the international community to return to the political process.

Third, we underscore and praise the vital role played by the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. It is regrettable that the South Sudanese authorities have continued to obstruct the mission’s ability to deliver its mandate in full.

This prevents the mission delivering necessary tasks including the protection of civilians and supporting humanitarian assistance in volatile and hard-to-reach areas. We call on the transitional government to cooperate fully with UNMISS.

As this Council considers the mandate for the mission, we will need to ensure it is credible, deliverable and responsive to conditions on the ground.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2026.

Ambassador Holland updates on recent Russian activity in the Atlantic, speaking on behalf of Norway, the Netherlands and the UK.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Norway and the Netherlands have also aligned with this statement.

The United Kingdom has tabled this current issue today to put on record in this Council an update given by the UK Defence Secretary on 9 April 2026 regarding Russian activity in the Atlantic. I am doing so to provide this information to all States in the spirit of transparency and risk reduction, and to highlight our readiness to respond to activity which threatens our security.

As stated by my Defence Secretary, the UK – in partnership with Norway and other Allies – has responded to increased Russian activity in the Atlantic, north of the UK.

This operation involved a Russian Akula Class Submarine and a concurrent deployment of two Specialised Submarines from GUGI, Russia’s Main Directorate for Deep-Sea Research. These GUGI units – including the Spy ship YANTAR – are vessels directed by Russia to conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK and its Allies, specifically around Critical Undersea Infrastructure.

They are designed to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime, and be prepared to sabotage it in conflict. This deployment operated across the North Atlantic including in UK and Allied Exclusive Economic Zones.

In response to the activity of the Russian submarines, the UK deployed our Armed Forces to track and deter any malign activity by these vessels.

A Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force P8 aircraft, alongside Allies’, ensured the Russian submarines were monitored 24/7. The Akula Submarine subsequently returned home having been closely tracked throughout, and we continued to monitor the two GUGI submarines.

Our Armed Forces left them with no doubt that they were being monitored, that their movements were not covert as had been planned, and that their operations had been exposed.

Those GUGI submarines have now returned home, and this operation – which lasted more than a month – has now concluded.

I want to thank all the Allies involved, including Norway, with whom we have cooperated closely throughout.

Chair, we have publicised this operation to make it clear that we are watching and that we see these operations over the Critical Undersea Infrastructure of the UK and our Allies.

Our message to Russia is this: you cannot operate in secret. We are ready to meet the increased threat in the North Atlantic. The UK and our Allies are ready to respond to any threat to our Critical Undersea Infrastructure. And any attempt to damage our Critical Undersea Infrastructure would have serious consequences.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2026.

Ambassador Holland says Russia’s approach to the Easter ceasefire demonstrates its contempt for peace, highlighting thousands of ceasefire violations and attempts to distort the narrative. Ukraine made a good faith commitment to a ceasefire and demonstrated its readiness to engage constructively. Russia made a different choice.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Since this Council last met, Russia has further intensified its war against Ukraine. Its actions once again demonstrate contempt for international law, for civilian life, and for the conditions required to achieve a just and lasting peace.

In March, Russia launched an average of over 200 drones per day against Ukraine – a wartime high. Early indications suggest April is on course to match that grim record.

This relentless increase stands in contrast to Ukraine’s consistent call for a permanent ceasefire. A call the Kremlin continues to reject. In the absence of any credible signal from Russia that it was prepared to change its stance on this issue, on 31 March President Zelenskyy proposed a ceasefire over the Easter period. This was a serious offer, made in good faith, and intended to reduce harm to civilians and create space for dialogue.

Russia’s initial response was dismissive and deliberately vague. In the days that followed, the Kremlin sought to reframe the narrative, belatedly attempting to present the ceasefire as its own initiative. This manoeuvre was revealing and not just for its pettiness. Had Russia been serious about peace, it would have engaged constructively with Ukraine’s proposal from the outset. Instead, presumably to avoid being seen to acknowledge Ukraine’s approach as being constructive, it chose performance over substance, seeking to deflect scrutiny.

During the so-called “truce” period, there were thousands of violations reported, including shelling and short-range drone launches. At the same time, it is right to acknowledge one limited but notable development: the absence of long-range strike activity during the ceasefire. This should not be overstated.  Regrettably, in the hours after the ceasefire ended, Russia fired nearly 100 drones. But it does underline an important point. Intensification of these attacks is a choice, and so too is restraint.

Even this limited pause demonstrates that reducing violence and creating conditions more conducive to negotiations is possible, if the political will exists. Ukraine has shown that it is prepared to take such steps. It has signalled readiness for a ceasefire that could serve as a foundation for wider talks. We urge Russia to step up and match this willingness.

For now, though, Russia, continues to reject peace, regardless of rhetoric. While speaking of negotiations, it has intensified attacks. While gesturing towards ceasefire concepts, it has violated them repeatedly. While attempting to claim the language of restraint, it has intensified its attacks on the ground. This contradiction cannot be ignored. It raises serious questions about Russia’s intentions and its credibility as a negotiating partner.

Ukraine’s position remains consistent and principled. It seeks a cessation of hostilities not as an end in itself, but as a pathway towards a broader settlement that upholds international law and secures its sovereignty. Ukraine has demonstrated readiness to engage constructively. Russia has so far made a different choice.

The path to peace begins with an immediate cessation of hostilities, respect for international law, and genuine engagement in good faith. Ukraine is ready. At present, Russia is not.

Thank you.

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Cooperation between the UN and the European Union.

The UK shares the EU’s commitment to effective multilateralism. 

With deepening global instability, close cooperation between the UN and regional organisations remains essential. 

The UK supports EU-UN coordination in maintaining international peace and security, as set out in the EU-UN Strategic Partnership. 

We also welcome the strengthening of our own cooperation with the EU since the 2025 UK-EU Summit, and the signing of the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership.

We continue to build on this in pursuit of European and international security.

I will now make three points.

First, the EU makes a vital contribution to stability in our shared neighbourhood. 

Like the UK, the EU has consistently championed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which Russia continues to violate through its illegal war. 

Russia must end its aggression, and any peace must be just, lasting, and consistent with the UN Charter. 

In the Western Balkans, the EU plays a vital role through the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and contributing to stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina through EUFOR ALTHEA.

Second, EU-UN cooperation contributes to peace and security well beyond Europe. We welcome the EU’s commitment to the protection of civilians, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and climate-related security.

In the Middle East, the UK and the EU welcome the current ceasefire as an important step back from escalation and an opportunity to create space for diplomacy. 

The EU and its Member States have been a consistent voice of support for freedom of navigation and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In Sudan, the EU is a valued partner for UN efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and bring an end to the conflict.

The Berlin Conference on 15 April, co-hosted by the UK, EU, Germany and others, will be an opportunity to reinforce international focus and drive practical action. 

We also welcome the EU’s diplomatic and humanitarian engagement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and work on governance, resilience, and peacebuilding in Africa and beyond.

Third, President, we welcome the commitment shown by the EU and its Member States to the UN as an institution, including through the UN 80 reform process. 

We share the goal of a reformed UN that is effective and representative. 

A UN that advances international peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

We are proud to count the EU as a key partner in this cause.