In her speech, Acting Ambassador Deirdre Brown strongly condemns Russia’s continued refusal to accept Ukraine’s proposed full, unconditional ceasefire, which has been on the table for 100 days.
She highlights the ongoing suffering of innocent civilians due to Russia’s war actions and reiterates the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
The speech also touches on the broader consequences of Russia’s actions, including violations of international law and the escalation of violence against civilians.
Key Points from Deirdre Brown’s Address
Russia’s Continued Aggression
Ambassador Brown emphasizes that the global security situation is more precarious than ever, largely due to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. Despite Ukraine’s offer for a ceasefire, Russia has continued to reject it and escalate its military actions, leading to the deaths of over 550 civilians and injuring nearly 3,000 others.
Recent attacks, such as the bombing of residential buildings in Kyiv, highlight Russia’s disregard for human life and its growing aggression.
The Ceasefire Proposal
Ukraine’s offer of a full, unconditional ceasefire on March 11 remains rejected by Russia. Ambassador Brown stresses that a sustained ceasefire is the fastest way to stop further killings and create the space for peaceful negotiations.
Unfortunately, Russia’s actions contradict its supposed desire for peace, as evidenced by its recent attacks and demands for Ukrainian territory.
Russia’s Unacceptable Terms for Peace
Brown criticizes Russia’s peace proposals, which call for the complete surrender of Ukrainian territory and limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces. She states that these terms are unreasonable and incompatible with international law, particularly the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.
The demands reflect Russia’s continued expansionist agenda, with no genuine intention of pursuing peace.
Sexual Violence in Conflict
In her speech, Brown also acknowledges the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. She draws attention to the mounting evidence of conflict-related sexual violence committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.
This issue has been highlighted in several Moscow Mechanism reports, emphasizing the severity of Russia’s violations.
Call for the Release of OSCE Colleagues
Lastly, Ambassador Brown reminds the international community of the detention of three OSCE colleagues, Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov, by Russian authorities. She calls for their immediate release, adding that their continued detention is unjust and in violation of international norms.
Acting Ambassador Deirdre Brown’s speech outlines the United Kingdom’s firm stance on Russia’s ongoing aggression and its lack of sincerity in seeking peace. The UK will continue to stand with Ukraine, advocating for a just and lasting peace, while condemning Russia’s actions on the global stage.
The call for immediate action to halt Russia’s illegal war and the urgent need to address sexual violence in conflict are central to this ongoing crisis.
