The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy this morning.
The leaders discussed recent developments on the battlefield and the continued progress by Ukrainian forces despite the challenging conditions.
The Prime Minister added that he was appalled by the devastation caused by recent Russian attacks on Odesa.
Discussing the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring grain was able to be exported from Ukraine to reach international markets. The Prime Minister said the UK was working closely with Turkey on restoring the grain deal, and we would continue to use our role as chair of the UN Security Council to further condemn Russia’s behaviour.
Russia was increasingly looking to target merchant vessels in the Black Sea area and the UK was carefully monitoring the situation alongside our partners, the Prime Minister added.
The UK continued to support Ukraine’s air defence and artillery needs with more ammunition and missiles being delivered, the Prime Minister said.
Reflecting on long-term security assurances, the leaders agreed the number of countries who had put themselves forward to sign up to the multilateral Joint Declaration was a testament to the international support for Ukraine.
The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.
In a UK Statement to the OSCE today, Ambassador Neil Holland said that Russia’s attacks on Odesa’s cathedral, city centre, and grain facilities are inexcusable and must cease.
In his speech delivered in Vienna Ambassador Neil Holland said the following:
“At last week’s Permanent Council, I spoke of the depressing predictability of attacks on Ukraine’s grain infrastructure almost the moment Russia had withdrawn from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). Since then, the Russian Federation has added an appalling list of civilian, cultural and religious sites to the list targeted by days of sustained missile attacks in Odesa. On Sunday, Russia struck Odesa’s Transfiguration Cathedral, as well as the surrounding UNESCO-listed town centre. This is in violation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The cathedral offered its congregation a place to worship, pray, and come together. By attacking it, Russia has attacked the heart of a civilian community. This is an act of cultural and religious vandalism.
Russia’s attacks on Odesa are part of its systematic efforts to deliberately prevent Ukrainian grain exports and threaten the world’s food supply. The people of Odesa are killed, wounded, and traumatised by Russian aggression. Grain and shipping facilities are destroyed. Exports cannot leave port. The world’s most vulnerable are directly harmed by Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. By unilaterally forcing the collapse of the BSGI and then attacking grain infrastructure, Russia has used food as a weapon. It is knowingly preventing grain reaching those in Africa and Asia who need it most.
There are reports that Russia is now offering to supply grain to vulnerable countries in Africa. We should be under no illusion that this is somehow a generous or humanitarian gesture by Russia. If that were the case, Russia would not be ruining Ukraine’s ability to export grain. Grain which accounts for much of the World Food Programme’s global wheat supply, and which is sent to countries around the world who are in great need of it, particularly in Africa. By withdrawing from the BSGI, up to 24 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs from Ukraine’s upcoming harvest may now not reach global markets. If Russia was truly serious about global food security, it would withdraw its forces from Ukraine and end its illegal war.
Mr Chair, history teaches us that these inhumane attacks on Odesa will not succeed in breaking the spirit of the Ukrainian people. In 1936, the Transfiguration Cathedral was destroyed on Stalin’s orders. But it was rebuilt by Ukraine and stood again. Despite the damage and terror caused by Russia’s latest missile strikes, the people of Odesa are already uniting in the recovery effort. A neighbouring congregation has helped to clear the wreckage inside the cathedral. Others cleared the shattered glass from the grass and flowers around the cathedral. This selfless bravery and unity have characterised how the Ukrainian people have stood firm in the face of Russia’s destruction. Ukraine will win this war, and we will stand by it for as long as it takes. Thank you.”
