PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s brutality cannot break Ukraine’s spirit – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.
Ambassador Holland says that despite countless Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, Ukraine stands strong.
Thank you, Mr Chair. Once again I would like to express our deep concern regarding the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. This is a despicable act, which has reportedly put over 42,000 people at risk from flooding. As my Prime Minister said, “Attacks on civilian infrastructure are appalling and wrong”. As I speak, the reservoir continues to empty, and will continue to do so for days. But even within the last two days we have seen lives, homes, and livelihoods destroyed. Civilians have been left stranded. The environment has sustained terrible, lasting damage. Food production will be severely impacted. And all this destruction is the consequence of Russia’s unwarranted, unprovoked invasion. The UK stands ready to support Ukraine and all those affected by this latest humanitarian catastrophe.
Mr Chair, throughout its war of aggression, Russia has wrought enormous damage on many areas of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure – including on healthcare provision and facilities. Last week, the World Health Organisation reported that since February last year, Russia has made more than a thousand attacks on healthcare in Ukraine. This is the highest number that the WHO has ever recorded in any humanitarian emergency. Over a hundred Ukrainians have lost their lives, including health workers, patients, and the injured. This is inexcusable.
However, despite these challenges, the Ukrainian health system shows remarkable resilience. Ukrainian health workers demonstrate heroic levels of commitment as they continue to provide treatment for their communities and save lives, sometimes under fire.
As my Foreign Secretary noted during his visit to Kyiv this week, “the Ukrainian people are not going to allow themselves to be broken”. And Ukraine’s indomitable spirit is reflected in its economic outlook too. The International Monetary Fund has commended the “remarkable resilience” of the Ukrainian economy. It has upgraded its growth predictions for Ukraine and revised down inflation.
In two weeks the UK will co-host, with Ukraine, the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. The conference will bring together the international community in support of Ukraine’s recovery and economic future. It will build on the work done by the 2022 recovery conference and the G7 Summit by mobilising public and private sector tools and financing to support Ukraine’s immediate recovery and long-term investment needs.
This will involve cooperation with a broad range of governments, including many represented here today, as well as the Secretary General. It will also include collaboration with international organisations such as the OSCE, as well as civil society and of course the private sector. Together, this broad coalition will facilitate investment and recovery, enabling Ukraine to pursue its transformation and reform goals and build an economy that is more modern, open and resilient.
Mr Chair, the people of Ukraine remain united, unbowed, and defiant. It is this Ukrainian spirit that means Russia cannot and will not win its war of aggression. The UK’s support for Ukraine will not waver – neither now as it is under attack, nor on its journey to a more prosperous and peaceful future.
Thank you.
