London | In a spirited address at the United Nations, representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, along with Neil Holland, called for an end to the fighting in Ukraine and stressed the urgent need for an enduring peace.
“Thank you, Mister Chair. We all want to see an end to the fighting and an enduring peace in Ukraine,” the spokesperson said, acknowledging the efforts by the United States during recent talks in Riyadh. Under President Zelenskyy’s leadership, Ukraine has positioned itself as a proponent of peace by proposing a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire—on the condition that Russia agrees as well.
However, the representative noted that Russia has yet to reciprocate, urging President Putin to remove conditions that hamper US-led initiatives to end the violence. “The ball remains in Russia’s court to demonstrate that the words we have heard about Russia wanting peace are sincere,” the statement continued, emphasizing the need for Russia to cease its ongoing attacks that continue to claim innocent lives.
The remarks also recalled past international agreements, including the Geneva Conventions, and accused Russia of neglecting these commitments since launching its full-scale invasion—a move described as “illegal and unprovoked” and a clear violation of both the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.
Addressing the legacy of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine, which operated from 2014 to 2022, the spokesperson lauded the integrity and professionalism of its members, despite significant risks. The tragic loss of two SMM members and the detention of three staff—Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov—were cited as stark reminders of the challenges faced by international monitoring efforts in the region.
“We will not lose sight of the fact that the longer it takes President Putin to agree to end the fighting, the more innocent lives will be lost,” the statement concluded, reinforcing the call for Russia to honor its past agreements and ensure the safety of civilians.
The FCDO’s address underscores a determined international push for peace in Ukraine, with continued diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing the ongoing conflict and restoring stability to the region.
