UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has said “we will not rest until justice is done”, over further evidence of ongoing atrocities caused by Russia in Ukraine.
Mr. Johnson averred the UK “will not stand by whilst this indiscriminate and unforgivable slaughter takes place. We are working to ensure those responsible are held to account”.
Distressing images of civilian bodies on the streets of Bucha, near Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, have led to international outrage over Russia’s actions. According to Ukrainian Prosecutor General, Iryna Venediktova, the bodies of 410 civilians were found in the areas around Kyiv between last Friday, April 1, 2022, and Sunday, April 3, 2022. He said the incident happened while Russian Forces were withdrawing from Bucha. But Russia, without evidence, denied the allegation, saying the photos and videos are “a staged performance” by Ukraine.
Last week, Sunday, April 3, 2022, Mr. Johnson said Russia’s “despicable attacks” on innocent Ukrainian civilians in Bucha and Irpin are “yet more evidence” of war crimes.
Suspend Russia UN’s Human Rights Council
Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, has called for the suspension of Russia from the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Additionally, she has also pushed for tougher international sanctions on Russia.
Speaking at a news conference in the Polish capital, Warsaw, on Monday, April 4, 2022, Ms. Truss pointed out that “What we have seen in the streets of Irpin and Bucha are scenes that we will never forget. We have seen butchery, evidence of rape and sexual violence, as well as the indiscriminate killing of civilians. We are clear, that after these appalling crimes, Russia has no place on the Human Rights Council”.
A Senior Westminster source also disclosed to the media that the UK Government is considering further actions against Russian Soldiers on an individual level. Officials are looking at further sanctions that could target captains, majors and colonels in the Russian military. It is understood that this additional plan could also include looking at ways to hold Russian Soldiers legally accountable.
Ms. Truss met with Ukraine’s Foreign Secretary, Dmytro Kuleba, in Poland ahead of key G7 and NATO talks. At the news conference in Warsaw, Mr Kuleba said: “What you have seen, the horrors that we have seen in Bucha, are just the tip of the iceberg of all the crimes that have been committed by the Russian army in the territory of Ukraine so far”.
A Tuesday Meeting
The Foreign Secretary will also hold talks with her Polish Counterpart, Zbigniew Rau, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Rau has pledged a £10m Civil Society Fund for Ukraine, including support for organisations dealing with sexual violence, following reports of Russian forces sexually assaulting people in Ukraine, as a way of terrorising the population.
Ms. Truss has said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin “is yet to show he is serious about diplomacy. A tough approach from the UK and our allies is vital to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in negotiations”. Adding that the UK would do more “to ramp up the pressure” on Russia and “keep pushing others to do more”.
Putin is a war Criminal- Biden
US President, Joe Biden, has repeatedly called Mr. Putin a war criminal and recently called for his trial over the killings in Bucha. Mr. Biden said he was also seeking more sanctions against Russia over the atrocities.
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