Thank you, Mister Chair. We find ourselves here once again to condemn yet another Russian attack that has killed and injured multiple Ukrainian civilians. As we have heard from the Ukrainian Ambassador, Friday’s missile attack on Kryvyi Rih resulted in the deaths of 20 people, including nine children; a further 70 people were injured. The youngest victim was just three years old. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those affected.
The Kremlin claims that it is serious about peace. It has been given an opportunity to demonstrate this by signing up to a ceasefire on equal terms. Not only has it dithered and delayed over President Trump’s proposal, its continued barbaric attacks on Ukraine run entirely counter to President Putin’s stated desire for peace.
Hitting residential areas with missiles is not a sign of wanting peace. Killing children is not a sign of wanting peace. And increasing the number of aerial attacks on Ukrainian civilians, including cities far away from the front line, is not a sign of wanting peace.
Friday’s attack was a dark chapter in this already senseless war. But it was not an isolated one. It sits alongside the missile strike on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, the mass civilian casualties caused by the destruction of the supermarket in Kostiantynivka, the massacre in Bucha and many others. Every civilian death in this war is a tragedy. We call on Russia to end these barbaric attacks and commit to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as Ukraine has done.
The United Kingdom, alongside our partners and allies, will continue to provide Ukraine with the military support it needs to defend its citizens. And we stand ready to apply further pressure on Russia using all of the tools at our disposal to hinder its ability to wage this war of aggression.
Thank you, Mister Chair.
