Speech

UN General Assembly vote on Russian aggression against Ukraine, 2 March 2022: UK statement

On behalf of the UK government, Ambassador Barbara Woodward stated that international pressure will not relent until every Russian soldier is out of Ukraine.

Ambassador Barbara Woodward

Thank you, Mr President, colleagues, he United Nations spoke clearly this morning.

141 countries voted in favour of this resolution and against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

It is a clear message:

  • that we condemn President Putin’s war

  • that we support the Ukrainian people

  • that we uphold the principles of the Charter

Russia’s international isolation is clear for all to see.

The Russian people did not want this isolation. They did not want this war.

President Putin’s decision to start this war has made Russia a global pariah.

We will ensure President Putin’s war of choice comes at a heavy cost.

International pressure and isolation will not relent until every Russian soldier is out of Ukraine.

The free world stands with the people of Ukraine.

Our votes today are for the brave Ukrainians who are suffering the barbaric shelling of their cities and are besieged by Russian forces.

We must support the Ukrainian people with the diplomatic, economic, humanitarian and defensive military assistance they so desperately need.

And our votes today are for the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of every state.

We have stood up against those who seek to redraw the world’s borders by threat or use of force.

For if President Putin’s aggression against Ukraine goes unchecked, which country could be next?

Today we have shown that we will defend together the Charter and the rules we built together.

I thank you, Mr President.

Published 2 March 2022