‘They have fought heroically’: Rishi Sunak leads minute’s silence as UK shows solidarity with Ukraine on war anniversary
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has led a minute’s silence from the steps of Downing Street as the UK showed solidarity with Ukraine on the anniversary of the start of the war.
Standing alongside Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, and members of the Ukrainian armed forces, Mr Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, observed the silence in front of a blue and yellow wreath on the door of Number 10 to represent the Ukrainian flag.
Ukrainian singers then sang the national anthem to bring the moment of reflection to a close.
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Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Sunak said: “As we mark one year since a full scale war broke out on our continent, I urge everyone to reflect on the courage and bravery of our Ukrainian friends who, every hour since, have fought heroically for their country.
“I am proud that the UK has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine through this horrific conflict. As I stand with brave Ukrainian soldiers outside Downing Street today, my thoughts will be with all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom and return peace to Europe.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also marked the moment on a visit to Cardiff where he had met members of the Ukrainian community.
King Charles released a statement describing how the Ukrainian people had shown “truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy”, adding: “I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united.”
And MPs in the Commons paused proceedings to observe the silence from the famous green benches.
Other politicians, including former prime minister Boris Johnson and London mayor Sadiq Khan, attended a prayer service earlier at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in the capital to mark the anniversary.
After a choir of children sang, candles were lit by the congregation and pictures of those who had lost their lives in the war were shown on a screen.
And faith leaders from across the city offered prayers for those living through the war.
Speaking at the event, Mr Khan said: “To those who have been forced to flee your homes, to those who have lost family and friends and to those sick with worry for loved ones in Ukraine – we cant ever know what you are going through, but know that London stands with you.
“We stand up for your rights to live free from fear, free from threats, free from intimidation, violence and terror because these are rights that are fundamental to our way of life. And we recognise Ukrainians are risking their lives, not just for the future of Ukraine, but for the future of Europe.”
Mr Prystaiko also spoke to thank those who supported Ukraine, adding: “This 24 February, this date will remain etched in our memory forever.
“It is a day when the West and the whole world finally understood what was happening and woke up to the challenge.
“You gave us reassurance that we are not alone… we are forever grateful for all of you.”
Mr Johnson did not speak at the event, but received a round of applause as he left after shouting “Salava Ukraini” – meaning “glory to Ukraine”.
Later on Friday, Mr Sunak is expected to use a virtual G7 meeting to urge fellow world leaders to “move faster” to arm Ukraine’s troops.
“For Ukraine to win this war – and to accelerate that day – they must gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield. That is what it will take to shift Putin’s mindset,” he is expected to say.
“This must be our priority now. Instead of an incremental approach, we need to move faster on artillery, armour, and air defence.
“The coming weeks will be difficult for Ukraine, but they will also be difficult for Russia. They are overreaching once again. So now is the time to support Ukraine’s plan to rearm, regroup, and push forward.”
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Ukraine has continued to appeal to the West to send fighter jets to help them in their fight.
Their appeal has been backed by former Mr Johnson, who told Sky News on Thursday that the UK needs to “break the ice” by becoming the first country to supply the aircraft.
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Speaking to Sky News,, Boris Johnson called Vladimir Putin a ‘gangster’ and an ‘adventurer’.
But Mr Sunak and defence secretary Ben Wallace have refused the request.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Wallace said he couldn’t “rule anything in or anything out” in the long-term.
But he added: “We’re not going to send our own typhoon jets in the in the short term to Ukraine. We’ve been quite clear about that.”
Around 14 million people could die across the world over the next five years because of cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), researchers have warned.
Children under five are expected to make up around a third (4.5 million) of the mortalities, according to a study published in The Lancet medical journal.
Estimates showed that “unless the abrupt funding cuts announced and implemented in the first half of 2025 are reversed, a staggering number of avoidable deaths could occur by 2030”.
“Beyond causing millions of avoidable deaths – particularly among the most vulnerable – these cuts risk reversing decades of progress in health and socioeconomic development in LMICs [low and middle-income countries],” the report said.
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USAID programmes have prevented the deaths of more than 91 million people, around a third of them among children, the study suggests.
The agency’s work has been linked to a 65% fall in deaths from HIV/AIDS, or 25.5 million people.
Eight million deaths from malaria, more than half the total, around 11 million from diarrheal diseases and nearly five million from tuberculosis (TB), have also been prevented.
USAID has been vital in improving global health, “especially in LMICs, particularly African nations,” according to the report.
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Established in 1961, the agency was tasked with providing humanitarian assistance and helping economic growth in developing countries, especially those deemed strategic to Washington.
But the Trump administration has made little secret of its antipathy towards the agency, which became an early victim of cuts carried out by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – formerly led by Elon Musk – in what the US government said was part of a broader plan to remove wasteful spending.
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What is USAID?
In March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said more than 80% of USAID schemes had been closed following a six-week review, leaving around 1,000 active.
The US is the world’s largest humanitarian aid donor, providing around $61bn (£44bn) in foreign assistance last year, according to government data, or at least 38% of the total, and USAID is the world’s leading donor for humanitarian and development aid, the report said.
Between 2017 and 2020, the agency responded to more than 240 natural disasters and crises worldwide – and in 2016 it sent food assistance to more than 53 million people across 47 countries.
The study assessed all-age and all-cause mortality rates in 133 countries and territories, including all those classified as low and middle-income, supported by USAID from 2001 to 2021.
Thailand’s prime minister has been suspended after a leaked phone call with a senior Cambodian politician caused outrage.
An ethics investigation into Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under way and she could end up being dismissed.
The country’s constitutional court took up a petition from 36 senators, who claimed dishonesty and a breach of ethical standards, and voted 7 to 2 to suspend her.
Protesters gathered in Bangkok at the weekend. Pic: Reuters
The prime minister’s call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, sparked public protests after she tried to appease him and criticised a Thai army commander – a taboo move in a country where the military is extremely influential.
Ms Shinawatra was trying to defuse mounting tensions at the border – which in May resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier.
Thousands of conservative, nationalist protesters held a demo in Bangkok on Saturday to urge her to step down.
Her party is clinging on to power after another group withdrew from their alliance a few weeks ago over the phone call. Calls for a no-confidence vote are likely.
Deputy prime minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will take over temporarily while the court looks into the case.
The 38-year-old prime minister – Thailand‘s youngest ever leader – has 15 days to respond to the probe. She has apologised and said her approach in the call was a negotiating tactic.
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The popularity of her government has slumped recently, with an opinion poll showing an approval rating of 9.2%, down from 30.9% in March.
Ms Shinawatra comes from a wealthy dynasty synonymous with Thai politics.
Her father Thaksin Shinawatra – a former Manchester City owner – and aunt Yingluck Shinawatra served as prime minister before her – in the early to mid 2000s – and their time in office also ended ignominiously amid corruption charges and military coups.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be meeting Donald Trump next Monday, according to US officials.
The visit on 7 July comes after Mr Trump suggested it was possible a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached within a week.
On Sunday, he wrote on social media: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!”
At least 60 people killed across Gaza on Monday, in what turned out to be some of the heaviest attacks in weeks.
Benjamin Netanyahu, left, with Donald Trump during a previous meeting. Pic: Reuters
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, 56,500 people have been killed in the 20-month war.
The visit by Mr Netanyahu to Washington has not been formally announced and the officials who said it would be going ahead spoke on condition of anonymity.
An Israeli official in Washington also confirmed the meeting next Monday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was in constant communication with the Israeli government.
She said Mr Trump viewed ending the war in Gaza and returning remaining hostages held by Hamas as a top priority.
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The war in Gaza broke out in retaliation for Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw a further 250 taken hostage.
An eight-week ceasefire was reached in the final days of Joe Biden’s US presidency, but Israel resumed the war in March after trying to get Hamas to accept new terms on next steps.
Talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled over whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire.
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