Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2023.

UK government sanctions 86 individuals and entities, targeting Russia’s theft of Ukrainian grain, advanced military technology, and remaining revenue sources.

The UK has today (Friday 19 May) announced a new wave of sanctions against Russia, targeting businesses and individuals connected to Russia’s capacity to fund and wage the war.

The 86 designations target individuals and organisations connected to Russia’s energy, metals, defence, transport, and financial sectors – ramping up pressure on Putin’s remaining revenue and attempts to use these sectors to support the military machine.

The designations come after the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new import bans on Russian diamonds and metals at the G7 in Japan earlier today.

This includes a crackdown on the shady individuals and entities connected to the theft and resale of Ukrainian grain, as well as targeting Russia’s major energy and arms shipping companies.

Companies connected to Rosatom, which are producing advanced materials and technology, including lasers, have also been sanctioned.

The Foreign Secretary has also announced, consistent with our laws, that Russia’s sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilised until Russia agrees to pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine.

These new sanctions come as the Prime Minister meets his counterparts at the G7 Summit in Japan and holds talks on long-term support for Ukraine’s defence and joint action on Russia’s malign activity.

Through a combination of these designations and new import bans on Russian diamonds and metals, the UK is working with international partners to further constrain Russia’s capacity to wage its illegal war, increasing economic pressure, and tackling all emerging forms of circumvention until Ukraine prevails.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Putin and his supporters must – and will – pay the price for their illegal invasion of Ukraine.

That’s why through today’s new sanctions we are increasing the economic pressure on Putin – making it harder for him to wage his illegal war and inflict untold suffering on innocent Ukrainians.

We will continue to increase this pressure and crack down on all emerging forms of circumvention until Ukraine prevails and peace is secured.

Our support for Ukraine is, and will remain, resolute for as long as it takes.

Energy

The UK is taking new action against Russia’s energy sector – building on the import bans of Russian coal, oil, and LNG – by introducing designations of 9 organisations connected to Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company, Rosatom, which has been connected to Putin’s war effort.

This includes UMATEX, which produces composite materials based on carbon fibre for Rosatom that could be used for military purposes, and TRINITI whose research and development into laser physics is directly funded by the Russian Federation’s State Defence Order. TRINITI’s lasers have been installed on tank chassis with the aim of dazzling the optics of aircraft and disrupting precision weapons.

Oleg Romanenko, a lead official at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant who has been colluding with the Russian government, the Operating Organisation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, 13 members of the Gazprom-Neft board of directors, and 5 members of the Transneft board of directors have also been designated.

Metals

Igor Altushkin, the billionaire oligarch who owns the Russian Copper Company, has been sanctioned. As the third largest producer of copper in Russia, Altushkin and his business have continued to play a key role in a sector of strategic significance for Putin’s military machine.

Eight other companies connected to metals production in Russia have also been sanctioned, and the UK has announced that we will also ban imports of Russian metals including aluminium, nickel, and copper.

Together, these actions increase pressure on Russia’s metal industry, which remains an important revenue stream funding the Kremlin’s war machine, and they have wider impact on the operation of other sectors such as transport and energy.

Transport

Twenty four individuals and entities connected to Russia’s transport services have also been sanctioned.

This includes Pawell Shipping Co LLP, the State Grain Corporation (GZO) and their director Nikita Busel who are connected to the systematic theft of Ukrainian grain. This grain, and other agricultural goods, has been reportedly stolen from warehouses and fields in the temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine and shipped out from Zaporizhzhia – badged as Russian goods.

Six major Russian shipping companies which have enabled and supported Putin’s wartime economy have also been sanctioned. This includes Sun Ship Management, an entity connected to Sovcomflot, Russia’s largest state-owned shipping company, supporting Russia to circumvent or undermine the effects of Western sanctions.

Military

Twenty defence executives and companies have been sanctioned as part of today’s tranche – further targeting the individuals and organisations that are supporting Russia’s continued military activity in Russia by equipping both the Russian armed forces and Wagner group. Amongst those sanctioned are:

• Alan Valerievich Lushinkov and Vladimir Nikolaevich Lepin, who are both Directors of JSC Concern Kalashnikov, who produce 95% of all firearms in Russia
• JSC BMZ which has produced anti-personnel and anti-tank mines used by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine
• JSC Motovilikhinskiye, a minority subsidiary of Russian defence conglomerate Rostec which manufactures howitzers used by the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine

Banks

Five financial institutions have also been sanctioned as part of today’s package of designations – further isolating Russia from the global financial system and undermining Putin’s military capability. This includes JSC Dom RF, which acts under the instruction of the Russian government, and Metallurgical Investment Bank, which is supporting Russia’s industrial exports.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2023.

The UK has announced £2 million in new humanitarian funding to support vulnerable communities in Myanmar, following the impact of Cyclone Mocha.

• the UK is providing an additional £2 million to support communities impacted by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar
• this new funding will supply clean water and shelter for up to 175,000 people

Today the UK announced £2 million in new funding to support communities impacted by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar. The cyclone has devastated vulnerable communities across northwest Myanmar, with reports of large numbers of deaths amongst the Rohingya.

The cyclone has exacerbated what is already a desperate humanitarian crisis. Following the 2021 military coup, over 17.6 million people need humanitarian assistance; over 1.8 million are displaced; and over 15 million people have limited access to food. Their needs will only increase as the impact of Cyclone Mocha becomes clearer.

The UK has already redirected £650,000 of funding to local and international partners to provide emergency assistance to those most in need. This additional £2 million will enable immediate provision of clean water and shelter for up to 175,000 people, and help mitigate the threat of disease.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

Cyclone Mocha has caused devastation for communities who were already extremely vulnerable, including the Rohingya.

The UK is providing £2 million of new funding to support the many thousands of people left without shelter or access to clean water in Myanmar.

By partnering with organisations already on the ground in northwest Myanmar, we will be able to quickly deliver the lifesaving support that survivors need.

Since 2017, the UK has provided over £81 million to assist Myanmar communities in Rakhine State with water, hygiene and sanitation, emergency food and nutrition services, and healthcare. Over £29.8 million of this has directly supported Rohingya and other Muslim minorities. The UK has enhanced due diligence in place to ensure that no UK aid benefits the Myanmar military regime.

The UK is committed to supporting peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and continues to stand with the people of Myanmar who are suffering once again. We reiterate our calls to an end to all violence, protection of civilians and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 May 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will warn against complacency in defending our values and standing up to autocratic regimes, as he meets G7 leaders in Hiroshima.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 May 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 May 2023.

The following is the text of a joint statement by France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

On April 23, four mayoral elections and two municipal assembly elections were held in the north of Kosovo, consistent with Kosovo’s constitutional and legal requirements. Yet, following the boycott by a significant portion of the Serb community, the results are not a long-term political solution for these municipalities.

We call on all actors to urgently work together among all interested parties, including local communities, towards a solution that provides sustainable participatory representative democracy in these municipalities.

There should be no actions or initiatives – including by newly elected mayors and municipal assemblies – that do not serve the people or that could heighten tensions.  This includes exercising more than administrative powers and the process of taking office as there is no requirement that mayors be sworn in at municipal offices. All parties should refrain from the use of force or actions that inflame tensions or promote conflict.

We support the EU-facilitated Dialogue to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia, including the need for urgent progress to establish the Community/Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 May 2023.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on Iraq.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 May 2023.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 May 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland thanks the OSCE Mission to Montenegro for work supporting Montenegro’s elections, parliament and combatting serious and organised crime.

Firstly, I would like to welcome Ambassador Dominique Waag back to the Permanent Council. Thank you, Ambassador, for the work of your team over the last year, and for this comprehensive report on the Mission’s activities and achievements. I know our Ambassador in Podgorica highly values the close relationship with the Mission in country.

The United Kingdom recognises the challenging political context in Montenegro over 2022 and 2023, including two governments losing the confidence of parliament, and institutional stasis caused by lengthy delays in appointments to the Constitutional Court. Recent Presidential elections – and upcoming parliamentary elections on 11 June – provide an opportunity for political stability, and for Montenegro to maintain the necessary focus on reforms and democratic processes.

We positively note the Mission’s continued engagement and support to Montenegro throughout this period, building capacity and sharing expertise across a wide range of areas in support of the government’s national strategic objectives – in line with the Mission’s mandate and OSCE commitments and principles and with many areas of complementarity with the UK’s own work and priorities.

In particular, we welcome your ongoing support to the State Election Commission in administration of elections in line with OSCE principles and international standards – including in improving women’s representation and accessibility for persons with disabilities. We welcome the recent assessment of the ODIHR and European Parliament Joint Observation Mission that the second round of presidential elections on 2 April was competitive, and with fundamental freedoms respected. We encourage the Government of Montenegro to reinvigorate the electoral reform process and address ODIHR recommendations towards greater electoral integrity.

The UK also commends the OSCE Mission to Montenegro’s continued close cooperation with Montenegro’s parliament, in particular through provision of training on democratic legislation and parliamentary oversight, transparency, digitalisation, environmental protection and sustainable development. We similarly welcome your ongoing engagement with Montenegro in combatting serious and organised crime and countering trafficking in human beings, including through the provision of geospatial software, and delivering training courses on supply chains and interview guidance to strengthen law enforcement capabilities. We encourage the Government of Montenegro to support the important independent work of rule of law institutions, including the office of the Chief Special Prosecutor, particularly in investigations suggesting state-crime links.

Ambassador Waag, we particularly welcome the Mission’s continued focus on gender, and commend your progress in mainstreaming a gender perspective into programmatic work. Your report highlights some important initiatives, including your engagement with the Government of Montenegro to ensure all strategic and policy documents address the needs of women and men equally, your support to the second ‘Action Plan for a more Gender Sensitive Parliament’, and your collaboration on introducing a gender-responsive approach to budgeting in six ministries. We would support a sustained focus on gender in the Mission’s activities over the coming year.

Mr Chair, the OSCE’s field operations undertake excellent work to support the implementation of our collective OSCE principles and commitments. They need to be adequately financed in order to fulfil this role. The continued non-agreement of the 2023 Unified Budget is an enormous hindrance to the effective running of the OSCE, its institutions and field missions. We urge again those participating States who continue to obstruct agreement to look beyond a narrow national focus, and ensure all OSCE institutions have the funding they need to be able to effectively fulfil their mandate.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you, Ambassador Waag, for your leadership of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro during this reporting period, and wish you and your team success in your work over the coming year.

Thank you, Ambassador Waag. Thank you, Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 May 2023.

At the OSCE Permanent Council, UK and others reaffirm our commitment to the rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBTI+ persons everywhere.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 18 May 2023.

Grant Shapps begins 4-day visit to the US, as Department for Energy Security and Net Zero marks first 100 days.

The UK will back President Biden’s drive to remove and store global carbon emissions as it forges ever-closer links with the United States on energy security.

Grant Shapps said the UK will join the President’s Carbon Management Challenge on a 4-day visit to the US this week. The Challenge encourages countries to rapidly cut emissions and develop removal technologies to capture CO2 and store it deep underground.

The UK has one of the largest carbon storage potentials, including under the North Sea, of any country in the world, with capacity to hold up to 78 billion tonnes of carbon – equal to the weight of 15 billion elephants. This will create a whole new industry, worth £8 billion to the UK economy and produce around 50,000 new jobs – supporting the government’s priority to grow the economy.

The Energy Security Secretary’s visit to the US this week will strengthen collaboration between the 2 countries. This includes working closely together on clean and renewable technologies to cut household bills, reduce the need for foreign fossil fuels and further drive tyrants like Putin out of the global energy market.

Grant Shapps is meeting senior members of the Biden administration, including his Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in Washington DC yesterday (Wednesday), and key figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom today (Thursday).

The visit comes as the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero marked its 100th day.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said:

Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine has had the exact opposite effect from what he wanted – rather than wilting in the face of his tyranny, we’ve stood firm and united and are neutralising his blackmail.

Our resolve has strengthened our relationships around the world, and nowhere more so than with the United States, where we are forging ever-closer links to deliver cleaner, cheaper, and more secure energy – ensuring the likes of Putin can never again hold the world to ransom.

We’re world leaders in renewable technologies and by supporting President Biden’s Carbon Management Challenge we are taking a step closer to realising our huge potential and be at the forefront of this exciting industry of the future.

Today in California, the Energy Security Secretary is due to meet Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia. Grant Shapps will point to the UK’s world leading expertise in renewable energy, including offshore wind, and is expected to discuss how the UK and California – the world’s fourth largest economy – can work closer together on clean technologies.

In Washington DC yesterday, the Energy Security Secretary discussed with Secretary Granholm closer collaboration further diminish Putin and deliver cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy for both countries.

In addition to the Carbon Management Challenge, the UK is supporting John Kerry’s First Movers Coalition (FMC) under the Breakthrough Agenda – a UK-led initiative launched by 45 world leaders at COP26. The FMC sees companies around the world make pledges to cut their carbon emissions, such as by cleaning up manufacturing processes and supply chains.

To date, 6 UK companies – PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, the Aveva Group, Rio Tinto, National Grid and Ernst & Young – have become partners. Today, Grant Shapps is calling on other British businesses to consider following suit, and be part of the global effort to clean up the most carbon-intensive industries.