Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Government calls ‘last orders’ on red tape choking pubs, clubs, and restaurants in major boost to the British night out [April 2025]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 April 2025.

Outside dining and later opening hours on the menu as government backs British pubs, clubs and restaurants with moves to slash burdensome red tape in the hospitality sector.
- Mayor of London to be armed with new powers to review blocked licensing applications and boost the capital’s nighttime economy.
- Package of measures answers industry plea to give businesses the conditions to thrive, with the government and British business working side-by-side as part of the Plan for Change.
Pubs, clubs and restaurants are set to be released from burdensome red tape which has stifled business as government ‘backs the British night out’.

Action includes moves to improve the application of licensing laws and strengthening businesses’ competitiveness, giving diners, pub and party-goers more time and more choice to enjoy what British hospitality has to offer.

It includes a landmark pilot that could see more alfresco dining and later opening hours in London, as the Mayor of London is granted new “call in” powers to review blocked licensing applications in nightlife hotspots.

If successful, this approach could be rolled out to other mayors across England, working closely with their own local police forces.

The package of measures will seize the opportunities on offer in the UK hospitality sector, which employs over three million people and is worth around £62 billion to the British economy. It comes as the government continues to go further and faster to drive economic growth and get more money in working people’s pockets, a key focus of the Plan for Change.

Businesses have long indicated that the current licensing system lacks proportionality, consistency, and transparency – creating barriers to growth and investment for business.

Blockers to growth include businesses being banned from extending licensing hours for late night drinking and anti-competitive blockages from other businesses.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

British businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. Our Plan for Change will make sure they have the conditions to grow – not be tied down by unnecessarily burdensome red tape.

We’ve heard industry concerns and we’re partnering with businesses to understand what changes need to be made, because a thriving nighttime economy is good for local economies, good for growth, and good for getting more money in people’s pockets.

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, said:

We promised to clear the way to economic growth in our Plan for Change and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re already reforming planning to back the builders, not the blockers. Now we want to do the same for the nighttime economy which has been neglected for so long.

Our pubs, restaurants, and live music venues are the beating heart of our cultural life, so it is vital they are given every chance to survive and thrive.

That’s why it’s time to give the Mayor of London new powers to back the capital’s pubs and clubs, as part of our plan to give mayors the tools they need to drive growth. Too often, we have seen the complaints of a vocal minority of objectors promoted over the need for our country to grow – we are determined to change this.

Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King and Chair of the British Beer and Pub Association, Kate Nicholls, National Chair of the Institute of Licensing CEO of UKHospitality, Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association, and the police are all working with the government to rapidly explore and evaluate better licensing options for businesses right across the UK.

The group aims to transform the licensing system to one that better supports business growth and confidence, creating a better hospitality experience for Britons and visitors, whilst ensuring public safety and community interests remain adequately protected.

It will report back in six weeks with solutions informing the government’s work to kickstart economic growth as part of the Plan for Change.

Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said:

Businesses in our retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are foundational to our economy and our high streets. They are big employers in every community across the UK, offering accessible jobs and opportunities and providing spaces where communities can come together – they are the glue that binds us together as a society.

These measures will ensure that we support these vital sectors by delivering a business environment as part of our Plan for Change that allows them to operate profitably so that they can provide the jobs, investment and growth communities across the country need.

In addition to these steps, a new £1.5 million Hospitality Support Scheme has been launched to help get existing projects over the line and fill job vacancies in the sector.

This includes supporting the delivery of hospitality training facilities in prisons, which will help to address skills gaps and provide prison leavers with a fresh start and opportunities on release, reducing unemployment and the £18 billion cost of reoffending.

These new steps are part of the government’s wider work to kickstart economic growth, boost productivity and put more money in working people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change.

Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King, Chair of the British Beer and Pub Association and Co-Chair of the Licensing Taskforce, said:

Licensing regulations provide a clear example of how well-intentioned legislation can inhibit economic growth, with excessive restrictions often limiting premises’ ability to respond to changing circumstances and customer demand.

I am looking forward to working with the hospitality minister as we speak to stakeholders from within the industry and beyond to understand current frustrations and limitations.

I hope that we can address existing concerns and create a licensing system that reduces unnecessary red tape, accelerates the licensing process and unlocks opportunities for premises to drive economic growth across the UK.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

I am delighted that the government is looking to grant London greater powers over licensing.

This significant decision would allow us to do more to support the capital’s pubs, clubs, music venues and other parts of the visit and tourist scene. It would boost tourism, stimulate growth and deliver new jobs both in London and across the country.

This is more evidence that we now have a government that wants to work with the capital and recognises the role that we can play in delivering economic prosperity and support Londoners as we build a better London for everyone.

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality and National Chair of the Institute of Licensing, said:

Cutting red tape and improving hospitality’s competitiveness is much-needed to unlock our sector’s potential to drive socially productive growth and create jobs. A new and improved licensing system that is fit for the 21st century will be a huge boost to the nation’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels.

I’m delighted that this expert group will be leading the review and coming forward with solutions that can unlock the high street’s potential, in addition to informing the government’s Industrial Strategy.

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer Association said:

A review of the 2003 Licensing Act is long overdue. We are currently working with MPs to pass an amendment to permitted licensing hours at times of major national events when Parliament is not sitting. But this is just one example where the current law restricts the ability of pubs to respond to consumer demand and sell beer and other drinks in a responsible manner.

There will be many other simple changes that can be made to the Act that will ease the ability to do business and drive more sales, invest and grow. I look forward to the quick implementation of the recommendations that the taskforce brings forward and urge the government to repeat this exercise across a number of other policy areas where urgent reforms are needed including business rates reform, packaging reform and much needed cuts to beer duty.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Record £13.9 billion of R&D funding unveiled to boost innovation, jobs and growth [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 4 April 2025.

Funding outlined to support transformational R&D in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond.
- Almost £14 billion of R&D funding allocated to bolster life sciences, green energy, space and beyond to improve lives and grow the economy
- Investing in public R&D essential to driving our Plan for Change by delivering better public services and opening up business opportunities
- Blood tests for early dementia diagnosis and world’s most advanced testing facility for wind power among supported projects
More UK innovators like those developing treatment-transforming dementia tests or building world-leading testing facilities to power a greener planet are being backed through our record £13.9 billion in R&D funding to improve lives and drive our Plan for Change.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has set out today (Friday 4 April) how it will allocate £13.9 billion in funding for transformational research and development in the next year in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – the UK’s lead public research funder – will receive £8.8 billion over the next year.

This funding will drive forward research that could transform lives and help make our NHS fit for the future – like the work on blood tests to diagnose dementia earlier, a disease affecting more than 980,000 people in the UK. Researchers are exploring whether looking for proteins specific to many forms of dementia, alongside a quick and easy test of patients’ cognitive functions, could unlock a fast, cheaper and non-invasive way of diagnosing the disease.

Public investment in R&D is also central to progress that grows the economy through new jobs and commercial opportunities. Each pound of public R&D investment is also estimated to leverage double in private investment in the long run. Businesses that receive their first R&D grant funding also see jobs and turnover go up by over 20% in the following six years.

Public R&D funding delivered through UKRI is already supporting teams at the University of Plymouth to tackle the serious global issue of antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria evolve to resist medicines that once killed them – making infections harder to treat, increasing medicine costs for and pressure on our NHS and hitting the economy as more suffer ill health.

Their discovery of a new antibiotic, Epidermicin, is undergoing trials and has led to spinout company, Amprologix – potentially providing health professionals with a silver bullet in the battle against such bacterial infections, dubbed ‘superbugs’, whilst opening up new commercial opportunities in the UK.

Similarly, UKRI R&D funding has also proven vital in developing the technologies we need to help position the UK as a clean energy superpower, such as the £86 million in ongoing funding towards building the world’s most advanced wind turbine test facility in Blyth. It is supporting the growth of the wind turbine market, creating local jobs and encouraging investment in the sector.

Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:

Our £13.9 billion investment in R&D is ultimately an investment in the future of the UK.

R&D is essential to fulfilling this government’s Plan for Change – whether in improving lives across the UK and beyond through new life-saving drugs, helping us build a cleaner, greener future or in exploring beyond our planet to unlock new discoveries that keep us healthy, safe and prosperous and much more besides.

It is also central to creating highly paid jobs and opportunities to set up new businesses across the UK, which will drive the economic growth that is key to supporting our public services and enhancing our daily lives.

The government is also investing nearly £670 million in space, through the UK Space Agency to help develop the space industry in the UK – employing 50,000 people in the UK – and ensure British companies like Airbus are involved in exploration beyond our planet, putting Britain back into the space race and unlocking new opportunities for discovery that can benefit life on earth.

For example, up to £160 million of previous investment over the next four years will propel Britain’s position in the global satellite communications market, enhancing high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas and in turn bridging the digital divide for citizens.

The Department’s investment in R&D to protect our planet also includes £310 million for the Met Office, which while most well-known for providing accurate weather forecasting for the UK also provides the UK’s most advanced climate modelling, which is essential to understanding the extent and impacts of climate change and how it can and will affect all of our lives.

The allocation of this record £13.9 billion in funding follows the Chancellor’s announcement at the Budget that the government would protect record levels of R&D spending, with £20.4 billion being invested over the coming year across all government departments.

UKRI CEO, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:

Research and innovation play a crucial role in driving sustainable economic growth, creating jobs and improving public services for people across the UK.

This allocation safeguards the capability of the UK’s world class research and innovation ecosystem and enables investment to support the government’s five missions.

UKRI will use its unique position in the research and innovation system to make smart and strategic investment choices, delivering the best outcomes now and in the future, and making the most effective use of public money.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK Core Group Statement to Introduce Item 4 Resolution on the Syrian Arab Republic [April 2025]

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

UK Core Group Statement to Introduce Item 4 Resolution on the Syrian Arab Republic. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Mr President,

I have the honour to present draft resolution L.25 on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, on behalf of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Qatar, Türkiye, and the UK.

Mr President,

For 14 years this Council has stood with the people of Syria.

As the Assad regime brought despair, death and destruction to its own population this Council did not stay silent.

In 2011, when the former regime unleashed brutal violence against peaceful protesters, this Council condemned it. When the regime began a campaign of executions, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture, this Council established a Commission of Inquiry to bear independent witness to these atrocities.

The Commission has rigorously documented the truth about the savagery of the last 14 years: the use of chemical weapons, sieges, and systematic torture and sexual violence intended to break the spirit of the Syrian people.

But the Syrian people would not be broken, would not be defeated.

And so, we present this draft resolution today, 4 months after the end of the Assad regime, and just days after the historic formation of a new Syrian Government, as reflected in revisions to the text.

We present this at a time of hope in Syria. Hope for peace. Hope for healing. Hope for reconciliation. And hope, finally, for Syrian-led, and Syrian-owned, justice and accountability.

As Foreign Minister al-Shaibani said to this Council: justice in Syria is not a matter of political bargaining – it is a fundamental commitment we must uphold to ensure accountability and to combat impunity.

This draft resolution seeks to support this commitment whilst recognising the many challenges facing the new Government.

Indeed, disturbing reports of mass killings of civilians in Syria’s coastal regions will have brought grief afresh to those who have suffered long enough, and are a chilling reminder of the deep wounds the years of conflict have inflicted.

We support the Syrian Government in setting out a path for accountability, that does justice to the victims and survivors, and which helps bring a peaceful future for all Syrians. And which brings truth to the families of the many thousands who remain missing. It is crucial that Syrian mechanisms are independent, impartial, prompt, and transparent. International bodies stand ready to support this process.

I thank all those who have engaged constructively on this resolution. In particular, I welcome the Syrian delegation’s active participation and vocal support for the Council’s efforts.

Let us adopt this resolution today. To renew the Commission of Inquiry, to maintain its independent reporting, to support the Syrian Government, and to stand in solidarity once again with the people of Syria.

They have waited too long for this moment. It is time for justice, for accountability and for human rights.

Thank you.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Aid workers should not have to risk their lives to help those in need in Gaza – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2025]

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

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the escalating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

I’d like to thank High Commissioner Volker Türk and Dr. Younes Al-Khatib for your sobering briefings.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Red Crescent medics and other humanitarians who were killed while bravely working to save lives in Gaza.

Their deaths are an outrage and we expect this incident to be investigated fully, transparently and for those responsible held to account.

Gaza remains the most dangerous place for humanitarians in the world.

If Israel does not respect deconfliction notifications from aid workers, to allow them to operate without coming under attack, there will be more appalling deaths like these ones. Aid workers should not have to risk their lives to help those in need.

So we urge Israel to cooperate with the UN fact-finding mission into the hit on a UN compound on 19 March, conduct thorough investigations into all incidents involving aid workers and medical personnel, and ensure accountability for those responsible.

President, I have three points to make.
First, the UK reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, including Avinatan Or, Yossi Sharabi and Shay Levinson, who have links to the UK. And we are clear Hamas must be held accountable for their despicable actions.

But the UK strongly opposes Israel’s decision to resume and expand its military operations in Gaza. Since operations restarted over 1000 Palestinians have lost their lives, including at least 322 children. And civilians are being compressed into ever-smaller areas.

Further fighting and bloodshed is in nobody’s interest and takes us further away from a deal to get the hostages home.

Second, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is horrific and there is reportedly less than a week of food left for distribution in Gaza. We urge Israel to reinstate the flow of humanitarian aid immediately.

Blocking supplies and electricity from entering Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law.

The UK is deeply concerned that the UN and humanitarian organisations have been forced to reduce operations in Gaza because it is so unsafe. Without their life-saving work, even more Palestinians will suffer.

Third, the UK condemns remarks by Defence Minister Katz on the annexation of land in Gaza. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians or reduction in the territory of Gaza.

This would only further drive instability and undermine security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

And we condemn recent Israeli decisions to accelerate the establishment of settlements and outposts in the West Bank.

President, in conclusion, the lesson we have learnt time and again in this Council, is that diplomacy, not violence, is the only way to bring lasting peace.

We urge the parties to return to a ceasefire, to end appalling loss of life, bring the hostages home and make credible efforts towards a two-state solution.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Organised Immigration Crime Summit organised by the United Kingdom on the 31 March 2025 – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2025]

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

Ambassador Holland updates on UK and partners’ efforts to fight against Organised Immigration Crime and the protection of our collective border security.

Thank you Chair.

I would like to update the Council on the Organised Immigration Crime Summit convened by the UK in London earlier this week. The Summit brought together a range of partners, countries and international organisations in the global fight against Organised Immigration Crime and the protection of our collective border security.

The threat from Organised Immigration Crime is increasing in scale and complexity, spanning multiple countries, nationalities, and criminal methodologies. Criminal gangs are now using sophisticated online tactics to lure potential customers. They are abusing legitimate supply chains, and they are using criminal financial networks to facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys which put thousands of lives at risk each year.

This is a global threat, with no respect for national borders. Without firm action, organised crime groups will continue to profit at the expense of vulnerable migrants and international security.

We must strengthen global cooperation, disrupt criminal networks, and prevent further loss of life.

No single country can tackle these criminal gangs alone. Only a coordinated international response, across the whole irregular migration route, can effectively dismantle these networks. Disrupting criminal financial flows, particularly the cross-border movement of illicit cash and commodities, requires all countries to work together across supply chains.

This event engaged both European nations and key source and transit countries, ensuring a broader, more comprehensive approach to tackling Organised Immigration Crime. It delivered across Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and North America by strengthening international partnerships, enhancing intelligence-sharing, and implementing targeted disruptions to crime networks.

Through effective partnerships and shared international commitments, we can deliver change. Together, we can dismantle the online advertising and recruitment networks used by criminal gangs, target the financial enablers of irregular migration through operational disruption and promote an integrated approach to better understanding the scale of Organised Immigration Crime financial flows.

I look forward to next week’s Security Committee meeting on irregular migration which I hope can consider the OSCE’s role on this issue. Tackling irregular migration, and specifically, people smuggling, requires a united, determined, sustained and sustainable, effort. Together, we can drive meaningful action, ensuring a safer and more secure future for all.

Thank you.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Oli de Botton as the PM’s Expert Adviser on Education and Skills [April 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 April 2025.

Oli de Botton has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Expert Adviser on Education and Skills. The Prime Minister’s Expert Adviser will advise ministers and drive forward the Government’s vision for education and skills.

Oli brings with him extensive experience working in education and skills as a teacher, adviser, headteacher and national CEO.

April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Regionally led security co-operation is vital for peace in West Africa – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2025]

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

Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, on peace consolidation in West Africa.

I will make three points today. First, the United Kingdom urges support for democracy, constitutional order and the protection of civic space in the region. We welcome the steps taken towards a return to constitutional order in Guinea and Mali and note recent developments in Niger.

We urge the authorities to maintain progress in their transitions, and call on them to lift restrictions on political parties, civil society and media institutions and on peaceful public demonstrations

We note the upcoming Presidential elections in Cote D’Ivoire and Guinea Bissau this year and call on the governments to ensure these are inclusive and align with their constitutions.

Second, the United Kingdom is concerned by the security situation in the Sahel, including terrorist groups controlling territory and wreaking havoc on local populations. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorist attacks across the region, including in Niger on 21 March, and express our condolences to the families of the victims.

We encourage UNOWAS to continue its critical role in supporting inclusive dialogue processes, which respond to and address, root causes of violence, to prevent further breaches of international humanitarian law.

Regionally led security co-operation remains vital, and the UK welcomes efforts such as the ECOWAS standby force which will enable Member States to deploy rapidly to counter shared threats. We also encourage careful consideration of security partners in the region to avoid worsening the threat posed.

Third, the United Kingdom is concerned at the worsening humanitarian situation in the region. Since 2019, the UK has provided life-saving assistance to over 16 million people in the Sahel. We encourage all parties to ensure rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance and protect the safety of humanitarian convoys.

To conclude, given the significant challenges the region is facing, including challenges which transcend national borders. It is imperative, therefore, that there is cooperation, coordination and communication between the states and peoples of the region with the international community.

The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts made to bridge the differences between the Alliance of Sahel States and ECOWAS. The United Kingdom also expresses its thanks to UNOWAS for its work in aiding African states to promote freedom, security, and prosperity.

Thank you.

April 6, 2025

PRESS RELEASE : New fees for emergency travel documents and emergency passports [April 2025]

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

From 9 April 2025, the government will introduce new fees for emergency travel documents (ETDs) and emergency passports.

An ETD lets you travel from abroad if you need to travel urgently and cannot use your British passport. It is usually only valid for one single or return journey. The new fee includes the cost of couriering the emergency travel document to you. Previously, this was an additional separate cost.

Emergency passports are issued in exceptional circumstances, usually when an ETD cannot be issued.

Service	Current fee up to 8 April 2025	New fee from 9 April 2025
Administering an application for, and if successful providing, an emergency travel document (in addition to direct costs, if any)	£100	£125
Exceptionally, administering an application for, and, if successful, providing an emergency passport, on occasions when it is not possible to provide an emergency travel document (in addition to direct costs, if any)	£75	£125

Consular fees are reviewed in line with His Majesty’s Treasury guidance Managing public money. The last time fees were increased was in 2016.

April 6, 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Government begins process seeking business views on response to US tariffs [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 3 April 2025.

Government begins process seeking business views on response to US tariffs.
- UK Government launches next stage in process asking UK businesses to comment on options to shape UK’s potential response to US tariffs.
- Business and Trade Secretary tells Parliament UK is disappointed at US tariffs and will continue constructive discussions with US on wider deal.
- Tariffs remain the last resort, with options kept open.
UK businesses will shape the UK’s response to US tariffs announced overnight, as part of plans announced by the Business and Trade Secretary today.

Following the 10% reciprocal tariffs on a range of products announced by the Trump administration yesterday, UK companies are being invited to give their views on what any future UK response should look like by providing feedback to questions asking them the average value of their US imports, the impact of any possible UK tariffs and how they would adjust to them.

The Business and Trade Secretary has also today published an indicative list of goods imported from the US that may be considered in a future UK response. This makes it clear to businesses that the Government would not consider products in the wider public interest issues such as medical supplies and military equipment. It marks the next stage in the government’s ongoing preparations and negotiations with the US on our economic relationship.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 

The best interests of British business has shaped our approach throughout as we prepare for all scenarios, which is why we are asking them for their views on how these tariffs impact their operations and day-to-day lives.

Our cool-headed, pragmatic approach means that talks with the US will continue to reflect our mandate to deliver economic stability, as we press the case for a trading relationship that supports businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, and reflects our Plan for Change and the best interests of the UK public.

The Business Secretary and Ministers across government have been engaging widely with business organisations and companies from across the economy, including sectors like steel, automotive and food, and other companies who export a high number of goods to the US and stand to be affected by any tariffs. They will continue to meet a broad range of businesses in the coming days to provide support and set out the Government’s priority of defending the interests of UK industry.

The four-week Request for Input launched today and open until Thursday 1 May continues the Government’s engagement with a wide range of UK sectors in response to tariffs, its commitment to working in the national interest and delivering economic stability, and its support of the UK public and businesses as part of its Plan for Change.

Once the Request for Input closes, the Government will reflect on the feedback and consider how best to respond.

While preparing for all scenarios, this Government’s priority remains strengthening its relationship with the US through an economic prosperity deal, and both countries will continue to have constructive discussions in the coming weeks to agree this.
April 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : 22 days after Ukraine agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Russia continues to distract and delay – UK statement to the OSCE [April 2025]

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

Ambassador Holland questions Russia’s seriousness about peace when it continues to attack Ukraine with hundreds of drones and refuses to commit to a full, immediate ceasefire.

Thank you, Mister Chair. It is now a full 22 days since Ukraine expressed its readiness to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire. The only condition that Ukraine attached was that Russia should agree to it too. Rather than grasp this opportunity for peace, Russia has chosen to continue to fight, a decision whose consequence is the needless sacrifice of more lives of soldiers and civilians on both sides. The indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas has shown no sign of slowing down. Last week, Russia sent over a thousand drones towards Ukraine. In Kharkiv, a military hospital was targeted. A kindergarten was damaged. At least, 25 people were hurt, including a 15-year-old girl left in a serious condition.

This is the price that Ukrainians pay for the Kremlin’s game playing with the peace process. Rather than engaging seriously with the US-led peace initiative, President Putin is resorting to his old playbook and looking to distract and delay. His attempt last week to question the credibility of President Zelenskyy was nothing more than a transparent ploy to deflect from the real matter at hand: Russia’s failure to get more seriously to the table, and commit to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

Regrettably, we see no evidence that President Putin is seriously preparing for peace. Published readouts of the US convened ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia confirmed a naval ceasefire and prevention of use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea. The UK welcomed this important step, but Russia immediately backtracked and placed conditions on the agreement – despite good faith commitment from Ukraine. Just this week, President Putin has ordered the largest conscription drive since the war began.

We do not need to look far for reminders as to why this war must end. This week marks the third anniversary of the appalling acts by the invading Russian forces in Bucha. The gruesome images of bodies lying in the streets shocked the world. Russia’s armed forces acted with total contempt and disregard for civilian life and the most fundamental principles of the laws of war.

However, rather than reckoning with these atrocities, we see continued Russian efforts in this council and others, to spread disinformation in an effort to absolve themselves of responsibility for these illegal and inhumane actions. This is despite the litany of evidence, including witness testimonies, independently verified satellite imagery, photos and videos. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has categorically documented attacks on civilians, including conflict-related sexual violence, and summary executions.

Mister Chair, we must emphasise the need for accountability for these actions and renew our commitment to collaborating towards enduring peace. Distortions of the historical record will not help in this endeavour. Rather we need the Russian state to commit to peace and demonstrate the sincerity of its words. Thank you, Mister Chair.

April 6, 2025