The UK repeats its call to Russia to ‘withdraw its troops, cease the bloodshed and end this senseless war’: UK statement at the UN Security Council.
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
“Thank you President and I thank ASG Khiari and Ms Doughten for their briefing today.
“You see who we are dealing with. They don’t care where to hit”. Words spoken by the President of Ukraine on Wednesday, which could have been spoken on countless occasions during this war.
We are compelled to gather again to respond to another appalling series of missile attacks on Ukraine.
On 2 March, 12 civilians, including 5 children, died when debris hit an apartment block in Odesa.One of the victims was a baby, only four months old.
On 6 March, as President Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis paid their respects to the dead, a further Russian strike hit the city. While they narrowly escaped the impact, five others were not so lucky.
President, we have met too often in this chamber to address the human suffering Russia has inflicted upon Ukraine. This week it was attacks on residential buildings.
In other weeks it has been hospitals, schools, train stations, hotels, restaurants. Each time it is innocent Ukrainian civilians who pay the price with their lives.
The day before this latest strike, the International Criminal Court announced two new indictments of senior Russian military figures for an alleged campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure.
These are not the actions of a country that is interested in peace. Putin claims that he launched this war to “protect” Ukrainian civilians. In fact he is terrorising them.
Russia’s actions show an utter disregard for international law and the UN Charter. It is attempting to intimidate Ukraine, its people, and those who support Ukraine.
It will not succeed.
Russia’s previous attacks on Odesa have utterly failed. Ukraine has now driven back much of the Black Sea Fleet from Crimea, and is exporting the highest volumes from its ports since the war began.
As my Defence Secretary said in Kyiv yesterday, the UK’s support remains unwavering, and we will provide an additional £325 million to help Ukraine defend itself.
Ukrainians have shown that they will not be bullied into submission. And Russia should know that the UK stands proudly by their side.
And so, we repeat our call again to Russia: withdraw your troops, cease the bloodshed and end this senseless war.
Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace that respects its territorial integrity. And with our support, that is what Ukraine will achieve.
Thank you.”
What the UK has to do is to spend more money in defence to prevent a Russian agression instead to make cuts and more cuts, Russia wil not withdraw its troops now, only by force.
Fraid so.
Russia knows our leading role in organising Ukrainian resistance to the illegal invasions.
So our reluctance to invest or even get our shell plants going full blast two years ago told them that if they sat tight Ukraine would run short of materiel.
I don’t think the Russians understood that with limited Western assistance Ukr could control the sea and air domains.
The sad fact is that if the assistance had been delivered faster the Russians would not have been able to dig in. That has cost a lot of Ukr lives.
The other thing that I find amazing is how slow the F16 project has been.
I find it incredible that European countries are stalling on providing military aid to Ukraine when the consequence of not doing so is clear to anyone who bothers to consider the direction of travel since 2014. I’ve just got back from Poznan and the Polish colleagues i spoke to there are resigned to the fact that they are next should Putin prevail. They were also pretty scathing about their militaries haphazard procurement strategy so it seems its not just the preserve of the British MOD.
I’d tend to agree.
But off a slightly different slant?
Poland’s spending is driven by what can be generated quickly for their relatively limited budgets.
So some of the spending may appear haphazard as they cannot afford to wait for the perfect solution. In that regards British Army could learn a lot as countless billions have been wasted on perfectionising pretty good solutions.
The really interesting article in the Telegraph by David Axe pointing out why Ukraine are succeeding with a system of systems for AAW with remote radars. This enables lots of distributed foward positioned weapons to be controlled from afar with the radars far back out of reach.
The idea of having a distributed system is not new….I’d advocate having very small Ceptor batteries (2-4 missiles) that can be left under a cammo net and fired remotely 10km behind lines – but lots of them. So many of them that it would be hard to take them out. But there isn’t a nice inviting juicy target.
I suspect this is why Poland is so keen on the Ceptor family of missiles.
Aye. Never let “perfect” be the enemy of “good enough” at this time of need
I think we/NATO have been too weak & woolly from the start. We complained loudly about the threat just before the invasion but said foolishly if Russia did invade we’d not send any troops to help UKR(Both Biden & Boris said so). That was a huge mistake as it confirmed Putin’s opinion of NATO weakness of resolve & effectively gave him a green light to run riot in UKR safe from outside intervention. At the very least we should’ve remained uncommited, leaving Putin unsure wether we would intervene as that would’ve made him far more cautious. The more fool us. UK armed forces are pretty much the smallest, weakest they’ve been since probably the 17th or 18th century. Sound, robust leadership has been terribly lacking & if Trump gets the presidency again it could get much worse.
Our reluctance to give the aid & supplies needed promptly made UKR’s defence far more costly & tortuous & although they amazingly threw back much of the invasion they’ve been restrained too much by NATO agonizing over every challange & request, very slowly, begrudgingly sending more capabilities to support UKR’s defence. Meanwhile Russia has been allowed to dig in & consolidate much of seized UKR.
Military & political weakness invites aggression & surrenders freedom. HMG seems content to keep our armed forces at reckless, record low peacetime levels, even after over 2 years of a major European war.
with hindsight UK/Russia/USA signed off ukraine independence and took away their nuclear missiles. ukraine lost a means of defending itself. it had not reformed enough to join the EU and it was too provocative to give NATO membership. frankly would we have gone to full scale war with russia over ukraine.
I agree. The slowness of the West’s response as a whole has been lamentable and the current Chancellor is a shameful exponent and should be removed.
On another related subject of equal horror is the weirdos in the US Republican Party pleasure in threatening to allow the Ukraine to be overrun by sadists, murderers and the like. From the leader downwards with his Putin fetish; none of them appear quite normal.
It is more a return to the isolationist policies that went before WWI & WWII….
UK is this time not taking the lead as Churchill II isn’t in office anymore…
Yes indeed, the world we live in really demands a 4% defence budget.
You missed a 0 off Jonathan, take a look at Russia’s increased defence budget along with China.
“They pointed to how China has just announced a 7.2% rise in its defence budget to $230bn (£179bn) – more than twice what it was a decade ago.
Russia, they said, “is committed to spending 40% of its expenditure on defence and security this year. Vast sums by any standard to fight its illegal war in Ukraine”.
By contrast, UK defence spending has risen 28% from £43bn to £55bn over the last 10 years, they said.”
I see problems for us on the horizon!
Courtesy Of Sky News
https://news.sky.com/story/ministers-urge-government-to-increase-defence-spending-in-highly-unusual-intervention-13090562
What is really scary is that the DOD actually think chinas defence spending may be 10-11 times higher than it’s official defence budget of 180 billion…which would actually put china more in the 1800 billion or three times the US spend…which when you consider what china is doing is not unrealistic..after all it’s launching the equivalent of the RN fleet every few years. It’s build a nuclear arsenal from almost nothing to 500 warheads in no time flat and effectively plans to match the U.S. arsenal by the end of the. Century ( it’s already built 1500 silos) ….it employs 3million people in political warfare….it’s navy is now bigger than the USN in numbers and growing all all the time…china is a profoundly scary power.
That really is a frightening thought when you consider the planned war games with Russia and Iran in the Middle East.
It’s time to put the UK on a war footing, delay costly projects like HS2 and start thinking about homeland defence first and foremost which I have been banging on about for years on here.
Even the US has started to take note.
Three former senior NORAD officials argue in this op-ed that the homeland defense must be treated like theater defense, prepared for multi-tiered attack.
“With oceans on either side, the American homeland for centuries has had geography as a first line of defense against adversary actions. But in the op-ed below, three former senior NORAD officials say the missile-based threat to the homeland is growing and diversifying by the day, and so must America’s defenses.”
Courtesy Of Breaking Defence
https://
breakingdefense.com/2024/02/the-homeland-is-not-a-sanctuary-the-case-for-more-integrated-air-defenses/?
Getting over 2.5% would be a start……that would stop the cuts and allow for restocking munitions like 155mm, Ceptor and ASTER .
Indeed and the reality is if you went for 4% strait way..what would you spend it on in year…but I think they need a plan to get back to a force level that would equal 4% or GDP within a 4 year cycle..I also think it needs to be a cross party agreement around moving to 4%..really adequate defence should not be at the whim of the party in power at that time it should be planned over a decade or more.
I would even like to see the budget actually agreed by an independent body based on risk..it’s how the Germans run their health service spending..the government does not decide it a separate independent entity decides and sets the budget, it works pretty well and creates a service based around risk and need not political whim.
That would reduce Treasury power…..
Win-win.
I could spend 4% for a couple of years anyway.
New typhoons to replace batch 1, upgrade tranch 1 to last until new jets ready. Upgrade tranche 2 to trance 3 with new radar etc and speed up purchase wedge tail to 5-7, P8 to 15, 15 extra transports, medium helicopter 50 bought, start drone programs, speed up tempest and get extra F35b asap.
Right navy, type 45 upgrades to be achieved quickly, more merlin helicopters both versions, extra wildcats with to get sonar modules etc aiming for 2 on board each ship. Speed up the frigate builds with an extra 4 26 and 5 type 31/32 to keep yards in work, replace Argus with 2-3 purpose build marine support ships and keep her as back up lpd, hospital ship. Replace mine war fare/patrol ships properly. Speed up SSN replacement and get 12, get all 12 ssbn tubes filled and increase warhead numbers to accurately account for targets. get RFA what they need. increase marines by 1000 and given kit They need. Obviously recruitment for all this also.
Army, head back to 82,000 aiming for 90,000 in 5 years. 3 full armoured brigades with support, new IFV, boxer fills other roles and overwatch, drone defence etc, skysabre doubled and new versions funded. Drone defence and active vehicle defence funded, tracked and wheeled artillery. 105mm guns upgraded or replaced, aim to get back to 1998 SDR sizes long term or a new updated plan actually stating the goals and how to accomplish them.
On top of this research gets a boost, restocking and having industry’s to do it. Get all accommodations up to standard within 10 years with 20% in first 3.
So that’s the next 5 years 4% spent at least.
Yes. I’m also unconvinced about how long it would take UK industry to accept double current spending. Babcock, I’ll give you two billion today to build five ships from 2026 to 2029. With that you’ll have to manage inflation and hedge against currency fluctuations. Yes, MOD. Thank you very much.
We “borrow” from future generations on a regular basis. Paying money forward shouldn’t be seen as outlandish.
And the longer it takes us to get there, the higher that number goes. How long before we’ll need 1960’s level spending to avoid 1939-45 level spending in future years?
I like the idea there is an independent assessment of risk to appropriate a realistic defence budget. Too important for the Treasury. Way Worse than 1939-45 looms.
Indeed, the present Government seems in denial. I cant but hope everyone in UK forms a coalition on this one subject if no others.
We should have got NATO to call a no fly zone before Putin invaded.
A bit like the Archbishop of Canterbury enjoining the mafia to cease racketeering.
So which sovereign nations are we invading?
That picture… I wonder how many of those houses, vehicles and humans are left ?
Its a waste of time trying to talk sense to the Kremlin.
“Talk softly and carry a big stick”………… errrm hello our “stick” is currently looking a bit “Twig” like.
Can still give most a good spanking
Now WHAT a good idea- ‘m amazed no-one thought to just ask before.
I hope they said ‘Please’ – its amazing what good manners and courtesy will achieve.
Well you can only ask! Though I think lots of nations have asked before.
Like Russia going to listen 🙄 especially when there gaining ground .Need to get more Ammunition to the Ukraine or it will be game over . 😞
Surely this is just about applying pressure from all angles and then keeping the message going on the world stage otherwise you just get drop-off from the fence sitters and minor nations. Just have to keep banging that drum as it were.
Unfortunately, with the US, UK record on Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya many nations won’t be swayed.
True, but if those swing countries are not going to show support to Ukraine, better they stay neutral than listen to the pied piper of Moscow.
How strange, I posted this information here a few days ago in another thread.
If they wish to “invest in the UK’s defence industrial base”, have a chat with South Korea, and take a look at how this has benefited Poland.
“Two serving ministers have broken cover to urge Rishi Sunak’s government to “lead the way” and increase defence spending to at least 2.5% of GDP – from just over 2% at present – “as soon as economic conditions allow”.
In a highly unusual intervention, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a foreign office minister and former defence minister, and Tom Tugendhat, the security minister and an experienced soldier, published an article online that does not appear to have been sanctioned by Downing Street.
Underlining their focus, Ms Trevelyan and Mr Tugendhat urged the government to strengthen the UK’s nuclear deterrent, regrow the Royal Navy, invest in more weapons and ammunition and accelerate plans to build a new generation of fighter jets for the air force.
They also stressed the need to invest in the UK’s defence industrial base.
How UK defence spending compares to China and Russia
They pointed to how China has just announced a 7.2% rise in its defence budget to $230bn (£179bn) – more than twice what it was a decade ago.
Russia, they said, “is committed to spending 40% of its expenditure on defence and security this year. Vast sums by any standard to fight its illegal war in Ukraine”.
By contrast, UK defence spending has risen 28% from £43bn to £55bn over the last 10 years, they said.
The ministers did not specifically refer to this year’s budget, but military experts have expressed dismay that the level of funding set out in official tables on Wednesday appeared to track a decline of £2.5bn in defence spending in the financial year to March 2025 compared with the previous 12 months.
The Ministry of Defence said this was because the data did not include new money for the military that was pledged last autumn, as well as assistance to Ukraine.”
Courtesy Of Sky News
https://
news.sky.com/story/ministers-urge-government-to-increase-defence-spending-in-highly-unusual-intervention-13090562
Well that’s them told. Now the war is over, who is going to justify 2% of GDP to the taxpayer?
Everyone wants Russia out of Ukraine. Even Russians want Russia out of Ukraine. Putin effectively lost when they failed to complete the invasion after two weeks.
Stating that the UK stands proudly by Ukraine’s side is quite a comittment. If all countries said that Russia would be marching home already.
UK urges Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.
The UK has two options:1 Shut up or 2 Fund its military as it’s present actions will bring war it is not prepared for.
Got my vote 👍
There is another option. I believe Russian mothers have had enough of the slaughter of their menfolk: there was a significant peaceful turnout at Navalny’s funeral. The West was always behind the curve; everything was always too late – tanks, armoured vehicles, F-16s, artillery pieces, ammunition. We have to face facts; Russian forces despite horrendous losses now have the upper hand. Russian mothers have had enough of losing their menfolk; there was a substantial and peaceful turnout at Navalny’s funeral. I know it is unpalatable but I think Ukraine should negotiate and I think with an election coming up Putin would do a deal – territory for peace and repatriation of abducted children – immediate accession of Ukraine into the EU – defence pacts with the EU and UK. Marshall plan funded by the US.
I smiled at this. As if Vlad gives a toss what the UK thinks. He walked into Crimea in 2014. The “west” did nothing. He watched as Sleepy Joe decided to do a Saigon move from Kabul. He kills his “traitors” on UK soil with impunity. Yeah, sure Vlad will have a few sleepless nights over this one.
What if a country offered Putin a secure peaceful place to retire? He knows he can’t die a natural death in Russia.
Putin, if he has any sense, should be planning now how to leave the country with his millions of roubles. He won’t be in office forever.
Millions? He is sometimes said to be the richest man on the planet. Obviously he hides it well.
He has used his forces to hit people in many countries. Now where in the world is completely safe especially in putins mind.
Oi Russia… you horrible nasty people you. Stop the aggression, and go back home.
Yeah I should imagine a strongly worded letter like that should make all the difference… not.
More like Monty python,”you’re a very very,naughty boy.👍🙃🕳️
At the end of the day if we want Putin out of the Ukraine we (Nato) are going to have to help evict him. So for some the UK being one of them that means getting our industrial out put ready for war and our armed forces up to capacity. As it will have to be done sooner rather than later it means going with what we have at the moment, not what we might have in 10 years time.
I wouldn’t worry too much – the Tinpot Napoleon accross the Channel has a cunning plan 🙄