Meeting room of the UN Security Council. The Security Council holds a meeting on the occasion of the second anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine Peace and Security
On Friday, the UN Security Council is meeting at the level of foreign ministers to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The heads of foreign affairs departments of Ukraine, the United States and several European countries take part in it. The meeting began with a speech by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Agreeing on the Future
“In my experience, people find it extremely difficult to agree on the past. What is more important – and less difficult – is to help them agree on the future,” the UN chief said.
“To agree on the future, international law and the principles set out in the UN Charter, including respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of states, are fundamental. This is why the Russian invasion of Ukraine is such a dangerous precedent,” he added.
Consequences of the war
The Secretary General recalled the enormous suffering that the war brought to the Ukrainian people. More than 10.5 thousand civilians were killed, millions of Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes. Thousands of residential buildings, hospitals, and schools were damaged and destroyed. The harsh winter left more than 380 towns and villages across the country without power.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry into Abuses in Ukraine has documented numerous cases of torture and sexual violence. “All those responsible must be brought to justice,” the UN chief said.
“Many Ukrainians are going through a real nightmare having lost their children,” Guterres said. “All deported children must be reunited with their families.”
The Secretary General also emphasized that 14.5 million residents of Ukraine need humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian assistance programs run by the UN and partners reached 11 million people last year.
Guterres also noted that the war also harms the people of Russia. “Thousands of young Russians are dying on the front line. Civilians are also suffering from attacks on Russian cities.”
“The danger of escalation and expansion of the conflict is quite real. Throughout the world, war is deepening geopolitical divisions and fueling regional instability,” added the Secretary General.
The time has come for peace
The time has come to reaffirm commitment to the UN Charter and respect for international law, the UN chief said. This is the path to peace and security in Ukraine and throughout the world, he emphasized.
“International disputes must be resolved by peaceful means. And all states must refrain from threatening or using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other state,” Guterres said.
“Now is the time for peace – a just peace based on the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the resolutions of the General Assembly,” he added.
France and Europe will continue to support Ukraine
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejournet said that France and Europe will continue support Ukraine “as long as necessary.”
“Ukraine is exercising self-defense. She defends her very existence and the freedom of her people from invaders,” the minister said.
He recalled that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky presented his peace plan more than a year ago.
“Ukraine has defined key principles and started discussions with numerous partners from all continents, not just the European one. Unlike Russia, Ukraine wants peace,” Sejournet said.
“Russia must end this war and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory, which does not belong to it and will not belong to it,” he concluded.
Great Britain: the capture of a small town is not will change reality for Russia
“I have a simple question for Putin: “Why?,” said British Foreign Secretary David Cameron. “His government claims this is a battle between brothers.” What kind of brotherhood is this for which so many lives need to be destroyed? How Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, fulfills its obligations to preserve international peace and security? How many ridiculous explanations for the reasons for this invasion have we already heard?»
The minister confirmed Britain’s solidarity with Ukraine, which, according to him, continues to push Russia out of its land.
“Taking over a small town will not change the reality for Russia,” Cameron said, addressing the Russian president. – The Russian army is losing its modern equipment and is forced to rely on low-quality missiles from Pyongyang. You are sending a generation of Russian boys into the meat grinder. And what do you tell their mothers? What they should die for? Or you don’t bother yourself with explanations?»
RF : The West is trying to solve its geopolitical problems at the expense of the Ukrainians
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said that “the West, led by the United States, is in the best neocolonial traditions” is trying to solve its geopolitical problems, “paying” for its interests with the lives of Ukrainians.
According to the Russian representative, Ukraine is losing the war. “Any conflict ends sooner or later. The same thing, I am sure, awaits the conflict in Ukraine. Of course, the longer it drags on due to Western “feeding” of Kyiv, the more unfavorable peace conditions will be for Ukraine,” the Russian ambassador said.
He added that “it is still possible to preserve Ukraine in some form” and that Russia did not refuse negotiations.
Responding to David Cameron’s question about Russian soldiers who are sent to war, Nebenzya said that “of course, I feel sorry for them,” also saying that “I also feel sorry for the Ukrainians,” whom, according to him, are sent to die for geopolitical Western interests.
Material being updated…