UK Delivers 'It Will Not Work' Warning to Russia Over Ukraine Support Threats

Gate News message, April 24 — The UK delivered a firm four-word rebuke to Russia on Thursday at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, responding to escalating Russian threats against nations supporting Ukraine. UK Ambassador Neil Holland declared "It will not work" in response to Kremlin warnings, including a statement from senior Russian figure Dmitry Medvedev that listed European facilities producing drones and military equipment as "potential targets for the Russian armed forces."

Holland criticized Russia's "disregard for agreed rules" and characterized Moscow's threats as "a familiar attempt to intimidate and deter those who support Ukraine's right to defend itself against an illegal and unprovoked invasion." He stated that the UK's military support for Ukraine is "lawful and necessary in response to Russia's continued aggression" and affirmed: "The UK will not be deterred. The UK will continue to provide the military assistance Ukraine needs, for as long as it needs it."

Holland also condemned Russian strikes as demonstrating "contempt for international law" and "civilian life." He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of three OSCE Special Monitoring Mission members—Dmytro Shabanov, Vadym Golda, and Maxim Petrov—held illegally by Russia and its allies for four years, describing their imprisonment as part of a "broader pattern of obstructing independent observation, rejecting accountability, and weakening the institutions designed to reduce risk and build security."