Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland welcomes talks in Istanbul and urges Russia to end the bloodshed in Ukraine and show it is serious about peace or face further sanctions.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Ukraine has agreed, in-principle, to a full and unconditional ceasefire. Because only when missiles and drones stop, and the deaths of innocent civilians end, can discussions towards a just and lasting peace begin.

Last weekend the UK, the US and our European partners reiterated our call on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire now, as Ukraine has done, and create the space for talks.

Rather than seize this opportunity, Russia continues to stall. Instead of an unconditional ceasefire, they have again moved the goal posts, calling for talks to resolve the conflict’s so-called ‘root causes’. This is code for maximalist demands which would deny Ukraine its sovereignty and territorial integrity and do not meaningfully shift the dial.

We welcome today’s talks and thank Türkiye for agreeing to host them. We call on Russia to engage in good faith in the US-led peace efforts. In keeping with his commitment to ending this war, President Zelenskyy has agreed to direct talks with President Putin, an offer which we now know has been rebuffed. We commend President Zelenskyy for this decision.

Mr Chair, last week we saw another supposed three-day ‘ceasefire’ from Russia. Just like the truce at Easter, this was a smokescreen intended to portray Russia as the party of peace.

In reality, Russia’s death and destruction continued. According to the Ukrainian authorities, there were over 700 Russian violations between midnight and midday last Thursday alone. Aerial bombings killed at least three civilians in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy.

And Russia ramped up its attacks in the days after this ‘ceasefire’ just as it did at Easter. At least six civilians have been killed and dozens more injured. Civilian infrastructure has been destroyed in Odesa and elsewhere in Ukraine.

The gulf between the Russian state’s words and its actions could not be wider. But the urgency is real. April was the deadliest month in Ukraine for child casualties since June 2022. Normal lives, homes and families destroyed.

We will not stand by while the Kremlin delays and denies. The UK and our allies are prepared to impose further sanctions if Russia fails to demonstrate that it is serious about peace. And we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Now, more than ever, Russia must heed the world’s call and agree to end the bloodshed.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 May 2025.

NATO Allies are in Turkey to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic.

• UK leading calls for Europe to support Ukraine
• UK and NATO Allies will commit to building a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at meeting of foreign ministers in Antalya
• visit follows UK hosted talks with European partners on bolstering security and support for Ukraine

As President Zelenskyy further demonstrates his commitment to peace by travelling to Istanbul for direct talks with Russia, NATO Allies are gathering in Turkey today to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic, with a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at its core.

At the NATO informal Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Antalya, the Foreign Secretary will lead calls for the strongest Alliance in history to stand united in the face of a generational threat from our adversaries, and stand behind Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace. Security is the foundation of our Plan for Change and central to this government’s plans to deliver growth and prosperity to British working people.

Ahead of the Hague Summit in June, Allies are meeting in Antalya with a clear message that NATO must step up together to meet this critical moment for our collective security. The Foreign Secretary will say that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own security, as security threats from Russia and its enablers continue to mount.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Today, President Zelenskyy is in Turkey in a further demonstration of his commitment to peace, ready to enter talks direct with Russia and continuing to push for a full ceasefire as a first crucial step.

As myself and my fellow NATO Allies also travel to Turkey, we are united alongside Ukraine in our determination to secure a just and lasting peace. We are working to deliver more for our collective security and bring this barbaric war to an end.

Euro-Atlantic security is the foundation of our Plan for Change. Without the security NATO provides, we cannot deliver the growth and prosperity the British people deserve.

During his remarks in an informal meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the Foreign Secretary will update on UK steps to protect Euro-Atlantic security and disrupt Russia’s reckless actions to force Putin’s hand. He will say that every step the Alliance takes to increase pressure on Russia and achieve peace in Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity at home and abroad.

Earlier this week, 6 spies working for Russia were sentenced in the UK, as the UK cracks down on Russian espionage attempts on British soil. The successful convictions came about as a result of close international cooperation with a number of NATO Allies, including Bulgaria, France and Germany, demonstrating a unified front against hostile Russian activity.

The visit follows the UK-hosted Weimar+ meeting on Monday, where representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU joined the Foreign Secretary in London to share Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s right to peace and freedom.

It also comes after the Prime Minister’s visit to Oslo last week where the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) announced enhanced support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces through intensive training exercises, increasing interoperability across military platforms and enhancing countering disinformation support as well as allowing JEF Nations to learn from the battlefield experience of Ukraine’s armed forces.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

An official from the UK’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engaged with stakeholders in Guatemala to advance energy transition.

Mitchell Lloyd, Senior Policy Advisor on International Energy Transition at DENZ visited Guatemala 12-14 May.  He met with the General Directorate of Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, other government departments, private sector and international financing institutions developing clean energy initiatives in Guatemala.

The discussions included a series of topics ranging from the need to galvanize global and local leadership and foster international cooperation on a clean energy transition, to unlocking clean growth, job opportunities and build robust clean energy supply chains.

Guatemala has significant potential to develop clean energy projects, with a renewable capacity potential of 3,700 MW that could be integrated into the country’s electricity grid between 2024 and 2040. This includes various sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.

The visit supports the UK’s government mission to become a clean energy superpower, protecting households from unstable fossil fuel markets, including coal, while at the same time unlocking job opportunities at home and abroad for the clean energy sector.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland reiterates the UK’s support to Ukraine, calls on Russia to end its war and to use this unique Forum for risk-reduction, even in crisis.

Thank you Madam Chair, dear Kaja, and to the Secretary General, for setting out Estonia’s priorities for the Forum for Security Co-operation this Trimester.  You can count on the UK’s continued support, as you chair our Forum at this crucial time for Euro-Atlantic Security.

Madam Chair, as we know, the FSC’s mandate is broad and has rightly evolved over decades.  In 1996, our Heads of State and Government adopted a Decision tasking the Forum to manage “preventive diplomacy, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation”.  In the 1996 Budapest Document, Ministers tasked the FSC with: “tackling regional security problems (including crises) flexibly in ways appropriate to each case”.  So not only did our Ministers mandate the Forum to manage risk-reduction, they also saw value in our politico-military dialogue continuing even in times of crisis.

The OSCE has an extensive acquis and toolkit to do this work.  But it relies on political will to be effective.  Participating States have used the toolkit, including transparency mechanisms, to offer de-escalation.  For example, by Georgia in 2008, by Ukraine – twenty times – in 2014, and again by Ukraine in 2022.  As these examples proved, transparency mechanisms can offer a ladder to defuse a situation or at least an early warning indicator.  But no tool can substitute for the political will required to de-escalate.  Especially if that State has decided to invade, as Russia’s actions have shown so clearly.

Madam Chair, the Code of Conduct commits us to act in solidarity if OSCE norms and commitments are violated.  As catalogued by the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, ODIHR and UN, there is irrefutable independent evidence of Russia violating international law.  As per the Code, such breaches are a “direct and legitimate” concern for us all.

That is why our weekly statements will continue reiterating our support for Ukraine and calling for Russia to end its war and return to abiding by the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.  That is why we welcome Estonia’s three Security Dialogue topics on the Code of Conduct; Women, Peace & Security; and protection of children in armed conflicts, keeping a focus on Russia’s invasion.  That is also why we will keep on using this Forum and its tools to execute our mandate, including on risk-reduction and voluntary briefs on military exercises.

Madam Chair, our Ministers mandated the Forum to hold a weekly politico-military dialogue in order to execute our vital mandate.  We can only do that if we respect the Forum and meet weekly to fulfil, not to frustrate, its work.

I wish to conclude by welcoming Finland to the FSC Troika, and to thank Denmark for their work as they leave the Troika.  And most importantly, I wish you, Madam Chair, and your able teams here in Vienna and in Tallinn the best of luck this Trimester.  You can count on the support of the UK delegation.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

First, the UK remains committed to restoring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea.

We welcome recent efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and we hope these efforts can help provide the pathway to sustainable peace in Yemen in line with the Special Envoy’s efforts.

As we have seen with continued threats against neighbouring countries and worrying posturing on the frontlines in Yemen, the risk of escalation remains.

Through a coordinated international approach, the UK will continue to work towards effectively containing Houthi capabilities.

Maritime security is essential in upholding stability in the region.

The UK continues to support the Yemen Coast Guard in protecting their maritime borders, and we look forward to launching the Yemen Maritime Security Partnership alongside the Government of Yemen and international partners in June.

Second, as highlighted by Ms El Mamoun, women face a disproportionate impact from the conflict in Yemen.

In 2023, Yemen ranked second-to-last in the Georgetown Institute’s Women, Peace and Security Index, and we have not seen progress since then.

According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, most of the 4.8 million internally displaced people are women, and 6.2 million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence.

Last year, UK funding supported nearly 1.5 million women and children with essential lifesaving services and enabled 15,000 to receive protection and gender-based violence response services.

The UK continues to champion the important role that women can play in both ending the conflict in Yemen and upholding sustainable peace.

In November 2024, the UK hosted a group of Yemeni women leaders and experts on the women, peace and security agenda to provide a vital platform for these important voices.

The UK also remains committed to supporting the UN Special Envoy’s work to meaningfully engage women activists and women-led organisations to deliver inclusive and sustainable peace in Yemen.

Third, President, as USG Fletcher has said, the humanitarian situation is severe.

The UK continues to condemn the ongoing detentions of aid workers by the Houthis, and we reiterate our clear call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.

The Houthis’ unjustified detention of aid workers continues to shrink the humanitarian operating environment in a context where nearly 20 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

And finally, we are grateful for the efforts of Dr Ahmad bin Mubarak, the former Prime Minister of Yemen, and we welcome the new Prime Minister, Salem Bin Breik.

We look forward to working together with the new Prime Minister and continuing our support to the Government of Yemen’s ambitious reform programme.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2025.

Mr Qudsi Rasheed OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to The State of Kuwait in succession to Ms Belinda Lewis who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Rasheed will take up his appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full Name: Qudsi Rasheed

Year	Role
2021 to 2024	Cairo, Deputy Head of Mission
2020 to 2021	Full Time Language Training (Arabic), FCDO four months as Deputy Director Covid Task Force
2018 to 2020	FCO later FCDO, Deputy Director Multilateral Policy and Head of Sanctions Unit
2017 to 2018	Beirut, Head of UK Syria Office
2014 to 2017	UKRep Brussels, External Relations (Relex) Counsellor
2011 to 2014	FCO, Legal Adviser, Legal Directorate
2011	Joined FCO
2008 to 2011	Barrister (called to the Bar of England and Wales)
2007 to 2009	UCL and King’s College London, Visiting Lecturer

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The UK called this meeting alongside Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia in response to the alarming warnings that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worse than it has ever been.

So we are calling for three urgent things.

First, the UK calls on Israel to lift its block on aid.

The World Food Programme warned us over a week ago that they have no food left.

And IPC data released yesterday shows that the whole of Gaza is at the risk of famine.

Meanwhile, tonnes of food are currently sitting rotting at the border, blocked from reaching people who are starving.

This is cruel and it is inexcusable.

And it risks further deaths that should be avoidable.

Second, the UK will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk.

We call on Israel to urgently engage with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles.

International law requires Israel to allow the rapid and unimpeded provision of humanitarian aid to all civilians.

Third, the UK reiterates our outrage at the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the strikes on a UNOPS compound in March.

We are disappointed that Israel has not yet released the final findings of its investigation into the UNOPS incident or taken concrete action to ensure these incidents can never happen again.

President, the release of Edan Alexander yesterday after 17 months of cruel Hamas captivity offers a rare moment of hope.

We must never forget the suffering of those hostages that remain in Gaza and those families awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains.

It is ceasefire deals that have delivered the release of over 180 hostages and allowed a massive scale-up of aid for desperate Palestinians.

This shows what is possible with political will.

This is why we strongly oppose an expansion of this conflict, as do many hostages’ families.

And it is a ceasefire deal that now offers the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Joint statement delivered by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.

We, the UK, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, called for today’s urgent meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Gaza.

First, we first want to welcome the release of Edan Alexander yesterday and reiterate our call for all of the remaining hostages who have been cruelly held by Hamas for over 18 months to be released immediately.

Their suffering must end. The Security Council has been consistent and clear on this since the brutal terror attack on 7 October.

Hamas must have no future role in Gaza or be in a position to threaten Israel.

Israel has now fully blocked aid entering Gaza for over two months.

Blocking aid as a “pressure lever” is unacceptable.

And last week, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved plans to expand its military operations in Gaza.

We strongly oppose both these actions, which will add to Palestinian suffering, while doing nothing to serve the long-term interests of peace and security in the region, nor to secure the safe return of the hostages.

Any attempt by Israel to annex land in Gaza would be unacceptable and violate international law.

Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.

On the humanitarian situation, the World Food Programme have told us they already have no food left. Palestinian civilians, including children, face starvation as a result.

Just yesterday, the IPC released a report warning that Gaza’s entire population is already at critical risk of famine.

Without an urgent lifting of the aid block, more Palestinians are at risk of dying. Deaths that could easily be avoided.

Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or a military tactic.

We are also deeply concerned at proposals to establish a new mechanism for the delivery of aid, which the UN has said would not meet humanitarian principles.

International law requires Israel to allow and facilitate the safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid and ensure that basic services are provided for all Gazan civilians.

This applies to all armed conflicts around the world.

Gaza is not an exception.

We have two clear messages for the Government of Israel: lift the block on aid entering Gaza now and enable the UN and all humanitarians to save lives.

Any model for distributing humanitarian aid must be independent, impartial and neutral, and in line with international humanitarian law and principles.

We cannot support any model that places political or military objectives above the needs of civilians. Or that undermines the UN and other partners’ ability to operate independently.

We are also outraged by the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the hit on a UN compound on 19 March. Humanitarian aid workers and UN premises must be protected.

We call on Israel to complete and release the findings of its investigation into the UN compound incident and take concrete action to ensure this can never happen again.

At least 418 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began.

That is at least 418 too many.

We urge Israel to investigate all incidents transparently, to be clear on the steps taken to hold those responsible to account and reinstate an effective deconfliction system.

The only way to end the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis is for an immediate return to a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, and to urgently advance efforts to achieve a two-state solution.

This is the only way to achieve long-term peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis, and we welcome France and Saudi Arabia’s leadership in chairing an international conference on the two-state solution here in New York in June.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Mr Kanbar Hossein-Bor has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, non-resident British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kiribati and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in succession to Dr Brian Jones who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Hossein-Bor will take up his appointment during July 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Kanbar Hossein-Bor

Year	Role
2021 to 2025	FCDO, Deputy Director Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Co-ordinator
2018 to 2020	Dhaka, Deputy High Commissioner
2015 to 2015	Monrovia, Chargé d’Affaires
2012 to 2015	FCO, Head, Libya Team
2009 to 2012	The Hague, Head of International Tribunals and UK Agent to the International Court of Justice
2006 to 2007	Baghdad, Legal Adviser and Head of Justice and Human Rights Section
2006 to 2009	FCO, Legal Directorate
2002 to 2005	Barrister, Private Practice

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Dame Melinda Simmons DCMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Poland in succession to Ms Anna Clunes CMG OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Dame Melinda will take up her appointment during August 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Melinda Veronica Simmons

Date	Role
2024 to present	Full time language training
2023 to 2024	University College London, Visiting Professor
2019 to 2023	Kyiv, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2016 to 2019	National Security Secretariat, Director, Joint Funds Unit
2013 to 2016	FCO, Deputy Director, Head of Conflict Department
2011 to 2013	DFID, Deputy Director, Head of Europe Department
2010 to 2011	DFID, Head of the Humanitarian Emergency Response Review
2009 to 2010	DFID, Deputy Director, Head of Middle East Department
2005 to 2008	Pretoria, Head of DFID Southern Africa
2002 to 2005	DFID, Deputy Head, Africa Policy Department
2000 to 2002	DFID, Head of Conflict Policy, Conflict Department
1998 to 2000	DFID, Team Leader, Russia Desk
1994 to 1998	International Alert, Public Affairs Officer
1990 to 1994	Primesight Intl, International Marketing Manager
1988 to 1990	The Register Group, International Marketing Officer and Associate Director