UK Rejects Russian Territorial Claims: Occupation Does Not Alter Ukraine's Sovereignty
The UK has addressed the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing that Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory does not alter Ukraine's sovereignty or borders. This message was delivered by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN.
In her speech on Tuesday, MacIntosh highlighted the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began 1,651 days ago with Russia's 'illegal, full-scale invasion' of Ukraine. She noted that this is also twelve years since Russia's 'illegal annexation' of Crimea.
Russia's military actions have escalated in recent months, with at least 429 missiles launched into Ukraine in July alone, more than double the month before. This has led to a significant loss of life among Ukrainian civilians, with over 17,000 killed and more than 51,000 injured since February 2022.
The UK envoy also emphasized the impact of the war on global food supplies, as Ukraine was responsible for 12% of global corn exports, 10% of wheat exports, and 50% of sunflower oil exports before Russia's invasion. Russian strikes on Ukraine's ports have further exacerbated this issue.