UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says a lasting peace in
Ukraine can only be provided if we step up and offer real and
credible security assurances to deter Russia from further
threatening European Security.
"Thank you, Mr Chair. The UK strongly condemns Russia's
unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine. We are committed to
providing extensive economic, humanitarian, and defensive
military assistance to Ukraine. The UK remains steadfast in
supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and security, ensuring that
Russia faces consequences for its actions. Ukraine has shown it
is ready and willing to work towards peace. The ball is now in
Russia's court, and President Putin must prove he is serious
about peace and sign up to a ceasefire with immediate effect. The
Kremlin's procrastination and game-playing with the agreed naval
ceasefire in the Black Sea, despite good faith participation from
all sides, show Russian promises to be hollow.
We welcome President Trump's readiness to increase the pressure
on Russia if President Putin does not agree to a ceasefire soon.
The Institute for the Study of War and others assess that Russia
is using the temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea as leverage to
stall efforts toward a general ceasefire and extract additional
concessions from the West. This is unacceptable.
We must remain committed to the US and Ukraine's proposal for a
full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. British, French, and
Ukrainian military leaders are set to meet in the coming days to
build on recent momentum in efforts to enhance Ukraine's
security. UK Prime Minister has announced that the meeting
aims to drive forward the next stage of detailed planning,
following a call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Last week in
the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters, Britain and France led
over 200 planners from ‘a group of nations politically aligned to
the defence, security and sovereignty of Ukraine'. These military
planning meetings have focused on how we keep the skies, the seas
and the border of Ukraine safe. To be clear, a lasting peace in
Ukraine can only be provided if we step up and offer real and
credible security assurances to deter Russia from further
threatening European Security.
And what is Russia's contribution to peace and negotiations? We
have seen no sign of Putin abandoning his war of aggression and
his disregard of international law is being realised on the
ground in Ukraine. Russian forces shelled a frontline settlement
in Ukraine's south-east Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in the
death of a 66-year-old woman and injuries to five others. In the
early hours of today, Russian attacks left 45,000 in Kherson
without power, and this is despite Russia's alleged agreement to
a partial ceasefire on strikes against energy facilities
following technical discussions in Riyadh in March.
The Report of the independent International Commission of Inquiry
on Ukraine published on 11 March, highlighted a sharp increase in
criminal cases concerning Russian troops executing wounded,
captured or surrendering Ukrainian soldiers. In most situations,
soldiers targeted ‘were in a vulnerable situation: unarmed, lying
on the ground, kneeling, and some were partly naked'.
On 26 March, Russia convicted 23 captured Ukrainians on terrorism
charges in a trial widely denounced by the international
community as a sham and a gross violation of international law.
The defendants received sentences ranging from 13 to 23 years in
maximum security forced labour camps. The trial's proceedings
were marred by numerous irregularities and violations of fair
representation. Defendants were reportedly denied access to
independent legal counsel and subjected to coerced confessions
obtained under duress.
Our position has not changed. We will continue to support Ukraine
for as long as it takes. President Putin must stop playing games
and agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.
Only through a concerted and sustained effort can we hope to
bring an end to this egregious campaign of violence and pave the
way for a just and lasting peace. Efforts to support Ukraine and
its pursuit of justice must be intensified to ensure our
commitment to upholding international law and protecting human
rights.
Thank you, Mr Chair."
