British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has said that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which she describes as an “invasion on Ukraine by Russia” will end on Ukraine’s terms.
This is also as Laing said that the UK government was standing by Ukraine a hundred per cent by providing military and humanitarian support and the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Laing made this known on Sunday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
“So everyone of course wants this to end, but the UK position is extremely clear. This has to end when Ukraine feels ready to end it.
“We are 100% supporting Ukraine. The bravery they’re fighting for all of us, for them, fighting for freedom for defensive democracy, for the UN, the principles of the UN, they are taking huge losses.
“Yes, there are consequences and through high food, fuel and fertiliser prices, we are all suffering. It is Russia that is responsible for those consequences, but there’s a huge amount at stake.
“So of course, we want it to end but it must end on the right terms; we are supporting Ukraine but this is not our war.
“You know, Russia has invaded Ukraine and we and the U.S are particularly providing military support; the whole of NATO is standing behind Ukraine.
“We’re also providing humanitarian support and we’re on standby to help Ukraine’s reconstruction but it must be for Ukraine, as a sovereign country that has been invaded, to determine the outcome and the time they want to start negotiations.
“That must be their decision.
“It is absolutely horrific to see what is happening; it is a violation of international law under UN Charter.
“We have had two UN resolutions; one was when the invasion first happened in the United Nations General Assembly and one last month.
“And Nigeria voted in support of those resolutions, on both occasions, in recognition that this is a violation of the UN Charter; so I think Russia is isolated basically.
“And you see what’s happening at the G20 Summit at the moment. Not surprisingly, Putin has not gone, he sent his Foreign Minister Lavrov.
“And every single one of those countries around the table including India and China are criticising Russia and saying this is not acceptable.”
Against presumptions that the sanctions against Russia were not working, Laing said that the sanctions were strong and working against Russia which can also be seen in its declining economy.
“They are working to the extent that you know. Russia’s economy, as we can actually see, is in massive recession; so it is having an impact.
“I think that it is true that Russia is still selling oil in certain parts of the world so, of course, they will try and bypass; but I do not think it is correct to say the sanctions are not working.
“Sanctions is just one tool that we have, you know and will never, on its own, solve this problem but it does raise the cost for Russia.
“At least, over time, I think will give them cause for thought as to how long they can sustain this from an economic point of view,” Laing said.
