I have been blessed. Besides my family, there were a few people who also stepped up to help shape me to be the person that I am. This is one of the key people in my life who played that role, to me, Mrs. Carrington, my primary school Principal. To the rest of Barbados, Dame Avisene Carrington. Hers has been an extraordinary contribution to so many and of course to our country. Yesterday, Dame Avisene turned 108 years old. Yes 108 years old!! Her mobility and her memory will put so many others to shame! Trust me on that!
On Ukraine’s Independence Day, we honour the extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people.
For more than a third of its time as a sovereign nation, Ukraine has had to fight to prevent Russia from taking away its freedom.
Today, I joined the Coalition of the Willing to discuss bolstering Ukraine’s air defence, support for winter, and further pressure on Moscow.
Through the Ukraine Support Loan, the EU has already disbursed €8.47 billion in defence support, with more support, including for air defence, in preparation.
I am proposing tougher sanctions on Russia this autumn, and we’re further tightening the net around Russia’s shadow fleet to deprive Moscow of funds to wage war.
The stronger we make Ukraine, the faster we force Russia to the negotiating table.
Tuesday marks eight years since the passing of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who was regarded by so many as a guiding force for good.
Today and every day, we remember him. https://t.co/GW8fas0Boc