This week sees a somber
and tragic milestone as we mark one year since the start of Russia’s full-scale
invasion of Ukraine. February 24, 2022 was a turning point for Europe and the
wider world. The Russian war of aggression, unprovoked and illegal, has brought
immeasurable suffering to the people of Ukraine — above all to civilians, women,
and children. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed, Ukrainian
civil infrastructure has been destroyed by Russian airstrikes, and millions
have been forced to flee their homes.
اضافة اعلان
The global impacts of Russia’s
war on Ukraine have brought hardships to millions more. As Russia shelled and
blockaded Ukrainian ports and infrastructure, the world saw increased food and
energy costs, setting back economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around the globe, 47 million people are a step away from famine, many of them
in the Arab world, notably in Syria and Yemen.
Russia claims to represent an alternative world order. Today, we are seeing the result: war and destabilisation of the international order and of food and energy markets.
Further, Russia’s war
of aggression trampled on the most elementary principles of international law:
respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, the
prohibition on the acquisition of territory by force, and the central
importance of the UN Charter. Russia claims to represent an alternative world
order. Today, we are seeing the result: war and destabilization of the
international order and of food and energy markets.
Supporting Ukraine,
global food securityUkraine’s European and
international partners have responded with resolve and unity. Our approach has
been to support Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty. We stand with Ukraine,
not only because that is what humanity demands, but in order to uphold the
principles of an international order which has kept the world a safer place
since 1945 and which Russia now rejects. As our leaders have made clear at the
Munich Security Conference in the past week, we are committed to staying the
course and indeed are accelerating our efforts to help bring this conflict to
an end in a way that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The UK, France, and
Germany have been at the forefront of economic and humanitarian support to
Ukraine. Yet, as Russia has weaponized global food and energy supplies, we have
also acted to address the global impacts. The EU and G7 reacted quickly and
mobilized funds to support particularly vulnerable countries around the world,
including in this region, by stepping up our humanitarian assistance and securing
the largest ever World Bank package of support to low-income countries in 2022.
On top of this, we are providing bilateral aid.
The UK, France, and Germany have been at the forefront of economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine. Yet, as Russia has weaponized global food and energy supplies, we have also acted to address the global impacts.
Our countries have supported
the Black Sea Grain Initiative and ensured that our sanctions avoid any impact
on Russian food and fertilizer exports. Ukraine itself makes an important
contribution to maintaining the supply of grain, as the recent initiative
"Grain from Ukraine" impressively underlines: Ukraine donates grain
to those who need it most urgently, supported by finance from partner countries,
including Germany, France, and the UK.
Responding to other
global crisesThe invasion of
Ukraine has been the predominant security challenge for European countries in
the last year. Yet we remain committed to those suffering from other crises
which need our sustained attention, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
and the civil war in Syria. Jordan is a vital partner in this regard, as a
constant voice for peace in the region and a generous host of refugees. We
continue to work with Jordan to push for de-escalation in the occupied
Palestinian territories, to maintain the prospect for a peaceful
two-state-solution and to advocate for a political solution to the Syria
crisis.
Germany, France, and
the UK are among Jordan’s biggest partners in terms of humanitarian and
development aid. Over the past year, our countries combined have provided over
2.5 billion euros in aid to the Syrian crisis response and close to 240 million
euros to UNRWA. This support helps hundreds of thousands of Syrian and
Palestine refugees across the region access education, healthcare, and other
vital services. Our commitment to the region has
not weakened.
The terrible earthquake in Syria and Turkey earlier
this month has brought home once again the scale of the human tragedy in Syria
and among Syrian refugees. Our countries have all quickly mobilized support to
the immediate crisis response, including rescue teams, medical support, and
much needed humanitarian supplies.
Ukraine’s path to peaceMeanwhile, the people of Ukraine continue to suffer
the consequences of Russia’s aggression. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy has
outlined a path to peace in his 10-point formula. But
while Russia continues its pursuit of illegal conquest and attacks on Ukraine’s
civilian population and infrastructure, it shows that it is not serious about
negotiations.
We must work to maintain international unity among that large majority of states who wish to live in peace, respect international law, and work together to address international crises.
In 2023, we will
continue to stand with Ukraine and her heroic people. And, vitally, we must
work to maintain international unity among that large majority of states who
wish to live in peace, respect international law, and work together to address
international crises. Jordan is an indispensable and valued partner in this
endeavor.
This joint
statement was issued by
• Bridget Brind, British Ambassador to
Jordan
• Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison, French
Ambassador to Jordan
• Bernhard Kampmann, German Ambassador to
Jordan
• Myroslava Shcherbatiuk, Ukrainian
Ambassador to Jordan
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