PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s allegations have no credible basis in fact [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 November 2022.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

President,

The UK voted against this resolution in order to protect the integrity of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and to avoid it being undermined by unfounded accusations.

Russia claimed that the United States and Ukraine and their allies have failed to consider the evidence they have presented.

This is completely false.

Russia’s allegations of US and Ukrainian biological activities were given a full hearing in September, under Article 5 of the Convention.

At that meeting Ukraine and the USA provided a comprehensive response to Russia’s allegations.

The UK shared its own extensive technical analysis of the evidence Russia presented.

Russia’s allegations have no credible basis in fact.

President,

Russia’s longstanding disinformation efforts undermine peaceful biological cooperation under Article 10, a vitally important aspect of the Convention.

We must defend peaceful biological cooperation against unfounded, malicious allegations.

The UK remains deeply committed to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. We value Article 6 as an important mechanism for states parties to address real, valid concerns arising under the Convention.

Thank you.