Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2025.

UK announces new support to make vital repairs to Ukraine’s energy sector and reallocates humanitarian support for those most impacted by the loss of power, heating, and water this winter.

• Foreign Secretary announcing £13 million of funding to help repair Ukraine’s energy sector at G7
• Ukrainian resilience in the face of Putin’s attacks is central to UK and G7 security
• UK to establish maritime services ban on Russian Liquid Natural Gas

UK announces new support to make vital repairs to Ukraine’s energy sector in the face of Russian bombardment, alongside reallocating humanitarian support for those most impacted by the loss of power, heating, and water this winter.

Our support will help Ukraine restore vital energy infrastructure, keeping the lights on and the heating on in Ukrainian homes, hospitals and schools — even in the face of relentless attacks – which is paramount to the UK’s steadfast support for the country. 

Russia has actively chosen to make Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure a target throughout the war. Now as we enter a cold winter, they are escalating brutal attacks on power and heating networks, as Putin tries to grind the Ukrainian people down. However, Ukraine continues to show remarkable resilience keeping the lights on against the odds. 

As the Kremlin scrambles to expand its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports to prop up its creaking war economy, the UK has today announced its intention to introduce a maritime services ban on Russian LNG, building on the recent targeting of Russia’s two largest oil companies – Rosneft and Lukoil.

This action will significantly reduce Russian exports of LNG and directly cut off access to the UK’s world-leading maritime services. The ban will be phased in over 2026 in lockstep with our European partners.

In addition, the £13 million winter package will help them to carry out vital repairs and deliver support those worst-hit by the loss of power, water & heating, ensuring Ukrainians can keep the lights and heating on as winter starts to bite.

Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

Putin is trying to plunge Ukraine into darkness and the cold as winter approaches.

These cowardly strikes are not only an attack on Ukraine’s security, but a threat to the UK’s economic security, stability and growth.

Ukraine’s security is our security and that’s why here at the G7, we are standing together as the closest of partners to drive forward support for Ukraine and overcome the challenges the world is facing today.

The Foreign Secretary makes these announcements as she attends the G7 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Niagara, Canada where she will galvanise our closest partners to continue to stand up for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s mindless aggression.

Economic security, growth and action on migration will remain top of the Foreign Secretary’s agenda at the G7, as she pushes the multilateral system to deliver for Brits back at home.

In particular, the Foreign Secretary will highlight the critical importance of economic security for both growth and for national security across the G7 – and will warn of the risks of excess dependence on a small number of countries for vital materials including rare earths.

Building on the work already underway by the UK government domestically, she will call for the G7 to go further to coordinate efforts to boost supply chain resilience – including to share learnings between partners, and align on efforts to diversify supply chains in third countries.

Canada is among the UK’s closest foreign policy allies – our countries are the only two to be members of the Five Eyes, NATO, G7, and the Commonwealth. Before commencing the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Foreign Secretary met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, then joined her to pay respects to the British, Canadian and Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives for our collective freedom on Remembrance Day.

Background

• More information on the UK’s support to Ukraine can be found here
• The UK has committed over £450 million for energy security and resilience in Ukraine
• The UK banned the import of Russian LNG in January 2023. We are now going a step further by banning maritime transport and related services—like insurance—for Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to third countries. UK-linked ships and services won’t be allowed to help move Russian LNG globally.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 November 2025.

UK Statement for Liberia’s Universal Periodic Review. Delivered at the 50th session of the UPR in Geneva.

Thank you, Madame Vice President,

The United Kingdom thanks the Liberian delegation for setting out its efforts to protect human rights. We welcome the steps taken to make progress on reconciliation and transitional justice, including early steps to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court.

However, we remain concerned about ongoing discrimination against marginalised groups and continued barriers faced by women and girls in accessing their fundamental human rights, including continued high levels of gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and limited access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

We recommend that Liberia:

1. Abolishes the death penalty, in line with obligations under the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.
2. Protects the human rights of individuals belonging to marginalised groups by preventing discrimination, guaranteeing equal treatment under the law and ensuring full access to justice.
3. Fully complies with the Maputo Protocol, criminalising all forms of female genital mutilation.

The UK looks forward to continuing our work with the government, civil society organisations and human rights defenders from across the region to advance human rights in Liberia. 

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 November 2025.

Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer visits the region to support peace efforts and humanitarian initiatives.

• New UK-funded operating bases and training help the Lebanese Army deliver regional security
• Support for vulnerable civilians and refugees in Lebanon announced by Minister to be delivered by the Lebanese Red Cross
• Minister supports humanitarian efforts across the Middle East as he visits Egyptian hospital conducting UK-backed training of Egyptian doctors to support the treatment of Palestinian patients

The UK is continuing to step up and support peace in the Middle East and humanitarian efforts as Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer makes his first official visit to Lebanon.

Visiting a newly built UK-funded Forward Operating Base for the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Minister saw how the UK is supporting the Lebanese Army’s ability to increase their presence in the south and bolster regional stability. UK support to Lebanese security forces helps to maintain stability for the wider region.

Announcing £500,000 for the Lebanese Red Cross via the British Red Cross, the Minister emphasised how the UK will support them to boost crisis preparedness and disaster response. This is part of a broader package of UK aid to Lebanon that will provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable communities, including displaced civilians and refugees, to help them meet their basic needs.

Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer said:

Across the region, the UK is supporting efforts towards a lasting peace through tireless diplomacy, humanitarian support, and security cooperation.

In Lebanon, I saw the devastating impact of conflict and how UK support is strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces through new Forward Operating Bases and training. Our humanitarian programmes are helping communities to meet their basic needs and children return to learning.

In Egypt, I was privileged to see UK support in action. Delivered through WHO Egypt, UK funding is providing medical staff with the training required and vital equipment needed to deliver lifesaving care for Palestinians evacuated from Gaza.

The UK is determined to work with regional partners to build stability and hope for the future. It is these partnerships abroad that make us stronger at home.

During his visit to Lebanon, the Minister held talks with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, and Chief of Defence General Rudolph Haykal around the importance of security and advancing Lebanese state reforms.

In a trip that reflected on conflicts in the wider region and the current situation in Gaza, Minister Falconer also visited a hospital in Egypt which is treating medically evacuated Gazan patients and training Egyptian doctors to continue supporting future waves of medical evacuees from Gaza.

After healthcare provisions in Gaza have been decimated by bombardment and aid restrictions, the UK has supported those who have been medically evacuated to the wider region by providing funding to the WHO.

The £3m in funding over the conflict has helped to improve care for Palestinian patients evacuated from Gaza, and includes equipment and training for staff in hospitals treating complex injuries and long-term conditions.

The Minister also represented the UK at the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, a landmark cultural project showcasing Egypt’s heritage, and where the UK supported the Museum in achieving EDGE certification which recognises excellence in green building standards and sustainability.

The UK is working intensively with regional partners to prevent further escalation in the region. This includes pressing for humanitarian access into Gaza, and long-term security cooperation with Lebanon through development of infrastructure, training, and equipment for the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The goal is clear: we must turn these ceasefires into lasting peace and create the conditions for recovery and reconstruction across the region.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 November 2025.

A bridge in the Kyiv region that was destroyed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 reopened following a UK-backed reconstruction.

• Bridge near Vyshhorod, north of Kyiv, reopens to traffic following its destruction during the invasion in 2022 
• UK Export Finance (UKEF) provides £26.3m loan guarantee for the Ukrainian Government, directly involving British companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine.  
• Underlines UK’s commitment to rebuilding Ukraine under the 100-Year Partnership.

A vital bridge in the Kyiv region that was destroyed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 reopened today following a UK-backed reconstruction project.  

Vyshhorod Bridge is of particular importance to civilians and businesses in the region. It provides a vital transport link for thousands of residents living in a remote area into Ukraine’s capital, and allows Heavy Goods Vehicles to more easily travel towards Kyiv.  

The UK allocated a £26.3 million loan guarantee via UKEF, enabling the Ukrainian government to secure financing for the project privately from Citibank. The initiative also enabled UK manufacturers to contribute essential materials and expertise. British companies are supplying steel components, critical materials and design services to the project’s main contractors.  

Charlotte Surun, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy, said: 

The reconstruction of the Vyshhorod Bridge is proof of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership in action. Steel made in the UK is rebuilding vital Ukrainian infrastructure, making a real impact on the lives of people here.  

Now local residents can cross the river and travel into Kyiv more easily and businesses have a more efficient route for transporting goods around the region.  

The UK has supported Ukraine since day one of the invasion and we will continue backing projects that help Ukraine rebuild and recover. 

The bridge was destroyed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in February 2022 to disrupt the advance of Russian troops towards Kyiv – a fate shared by many bridges and roads around Kyiv at that time. Until now, local residents had to use a temporary crossing which could not handle heavy traffic across the river. 

Following the Russian army’s withdrawal, Vyshhorod Bridge became one of the six bridges in the Kyiv region being reconstructed under a pilot project supported by the British government. 

Scottish company Cairnhill played a key role in the construction of Vyshhorod Bridge, supplying approximately 400 tonnes of steel for core structures from its facility in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. 

Vyshhorod Bridge is the fourth bridge completed under the project, while the reconstruction of two more is still underway.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 November 2025.

Statement by the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders, at Belarus’ Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the continued erosion of human rights in Belarus. Since the 2020 presidential elections, we have observed widespread repression of civil society, independent media, and political opposition. The use of arbitrary detention, politically motivated prosecutions, and restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must end.

We recommend:

1. Establish an official moratorium on executions, in line with international human rights standards and the global trend toward abolition.
2. Release all political prisoners and halt the use of arbitrary detention and politically motivated charges.
3. Revise restrictive laws such as the 1997 Mass Events Act and the Law on Associations, which impose burdensome requirements for public gatherings and civil society registration, to align with international human rights standards.

The UK calls on Belarus to engage constructively with civil society and international partners to restore and uphold fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly, and association.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 October 2025.

The UK national statement was given at a signing ceremony for the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi on 25 and 26 October 2025.

Thank you, Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

 We thank Vietnam for their hospitality and for hosting us here in Hà Nội.

The agreement by consensus, of the text of the of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, just under a year ago, signalled a landmark moment for international cooperation on this critical and complex issue.

I am proud that the United Kingdom has signed the Convention here in Hà Nội, in line with our international efforts to combat cybercrime.

Cybercrime poses a serious and growing threat to every part of society, from private citizens to public institutions. It often targets our most vulnerable.

The UK’s vision is clear: by 2030, we aim to significantly reduce the risk posed by cybercrime to our citizens and national interests.

In a globalised and interconnected world, we cannot do it alone. Tackling cybercrime globally requires a joined-up response, that brings together governments, law enforcement, civil society organisations, the tech industry and private sector partners. Together they play a critical role in effectively addressing the complex, transnational, and rapidly evolving challenges posed by cybercrime, and are often at the frontline of detecting and responding to cyberattacks.

The UK stands ready to engage with States who respect the letter and the spirit of the Convention. Let us be clear, any attempt to misuse the Convention would undermine its viability. The human rights safeguards sit at the heart of this Convention and are vital for building trust and unlocking a greater level of international cooperation.

The UK will play close attention to the implementation of, and adherence to, the safeguards and we will not cooperate with any country that does not comply with the safeguards required by this Convention.

The UK has already seen the practical benefits of cooperation on this area under the Budapest Convention. The UN Convention against Cybercrime complements existing international instruments and includes much needed provisions on online fraud, a global scourge, which urgently needs our focus and attention.

The Global Fraud Summit hosted by UNODC and Interpol will add valuable momentum to States efforts to tackle online scams. We invite you all to join these discussions in Vienna in March 2026.

We also welcome the opportunity to work together to fight the heinous proliferation of child sexual abuse material online, and for the first time, this Convention facilitates international action to tackle the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images. This is a historic achievement and opportunity for the multilateral system to be a powerful force for the rights of our most vulnerable citizens.

But States cannot do this alone. The UK is indebted to civil society experts for their significant contributions including the Southwest Grid for Learning, who have joined us here in Hanoi.

We continue to harness and share the expertise of tried and tested methods to protect the most vulnerable, and the UK is heartened by the wide level of participation and the active discussions underway.

The UK stands ready to work with international partners to build resilience, share intelligence, and uphold a secure and open digital environment for all. We will support the effective establishment of the Conference of State Parties, working with Member States and expanding our close work with global stakeholders.

Cybercrime is a global challenge. We can only tackle these crimes if we work together. We look forward to making a start today. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 October 2025.

UK Explanation of Vote delivered by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, following the UN Security Council vote on the Haiti sanctions regime.

I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Haiti today.

The UK condemns, without reservation, the violence that continues to undermine efforts to restore democratic rule in Haiti. We remain committed to using UN sanctions to maintain pressure on those who seek to destabilise Haiti. We welcome this mandate renewal, and thank the United States and Panama for their efforts.

It is vital that the Council remains fully informed of the scale and nature of violence being perpetrated in Haiti, including the alarming reports of widespread sexual and gender-based violence. The targeting of women and girls in Haiti because of their gender is unacceptable. This includes forced marriage, harassment, assault, forced labour, and forms of trafficking, kidnapping and sexual violence.

Sanctions remain an essential tool to address insecurity in Haiti and to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people. We will continue to work with all Council members to this end.