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<p>In the Budapest Memorandum, in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons,
Russia joined the United Kingdom and the United States in reaffirming their obligation
to "refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity
or political independence of Ukraine, and that none of their weapons will ever be
used against Ukraine except in self-defence or otherwise in accordance with the Charter
of the United Nations." Russia is in clear breach of those commitments as well
as a number of other international obligations and commitments, including under the
UN Charter and the OSCE Helsinki Final Act.</p><p>The United Kingdom remains willing
to engage on the basis of the Budapest Memorandum and in March 2014 the then Foreign
Secretary took part in a Budapest format ministerial meeting. Russia refused to take
part in that meeting, and has continued to refuse to engage despite the Budapest Memorandum
committing them to such talks.</p><p>We remain strong and active supporters of Ukraine's
sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes building the resilience and capacity
of the Ukrainian armed forces through Operation Orbital, and playing a leading role
in maintaining sanctions against Russia.</p><p> </p>
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