History cannot justify changing borders by force: UK statement to the OSCE
What was announced
Ambassador Holland rejected Russia’s selective historical claims to Ukrainian territory, stressing that modern borders rest on international law and commitments between sovereign states. The UK welcomed the humanitarian respite in Oleshky and called on Russia to agree to the full ceasefire already accepted by Ukraine.
Key points, in the publisher's words
- The United Kingdom welcomes the ceasefire that recently took place in Oleshky. It enabled humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of hundreds of civilians from desperate conditions, demonstrating the immediate benefit of even a limited pause in the fighting.
- It also showed that humanitarian arrangements are possible where political will exists. But, much as we are grateful for her action, it should not require the personal intervention of the First Lady of the United States to secure six days of safety for civilians.
- Russian attacks continued elsewhere in Ukraine during and immediately after the pause in Oleshky. Russian strikes on a railway station in Dnipro last week, and on a humanitarian aid distribution point and nearby shelter in Komyshuvakha this week, killed at least 55 civilians. These attacks underline the need for a comprehensive ceasefire, rather than brief and exceptional pauses.
Who and where
UK bodies of power
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK government department) · more news
Countries
- Russia (Europe & Central Asia) · more news
- Ukraine (Europe & Central Asia) · more news
- United States (North America) · more news
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Foreign affairs.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/history-cannot-justify-changing-borders-by-force-uk-statement-to-the-osce
- Published 2026-11-05 14:08:19 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-11-05 14:15:43 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 8659, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Related official news
- Joint Statement by the Informal Group of Friends of Safety of Journalists, November 2026
- Defending media freedom and the safety of journalists: UK statement to the OSCE, November 2026
- PM meetings with world leaders at CHOGM
- Russia must show the evidence behind its claims: UK statement to the OSCE
- International Development Minister speech at Education Cannot Wait Replenishment Conference
- 53rd Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK Statement on Hungary
- Joint Communiqué between the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls and Members of the Romanian parliamentary delegation, 22 October 2026
- Foreign Secretary speech at the 'Blue Finance and Innovation' event at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
More from GOV.UK
- Defending media freedom and the safety of journalists: UK statement to the OSCE, November 2026
- DBS supports Wales National Safeguarding Week 2026
- DBS yn cefnogi Wythnos Diogelu Genedlaethol Cymru 2026
- PM meetings with world leaders at CHOGM
- Joint Statement by the Informal Group of Friends of Safety of Journalists, November 2026
- UK-Switzerland Financial Dialogue 2026 Joint Statement
Also announced on 5 November 2026
- Bank rate increased to 4% - November 2026 Monetary Policy Summary and Minutes
- Two new Ebola vaccines to join DR Congo clinical trial
- Security Council, 10266th Meeting (AM) Sudan, South Sudan
- Security Council, 10265th Meeting (AM) Yemen
- Isabel Schnabel: Navigating stormy waters: reflections on monetary policy
- Piero Cipollone: Shaping the future of money