Refinitiv Newscasts - UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine 1

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01/03/2022 02:11

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  >> I would like to inform you, about yet another hostile step undertaken by
the host country to step against the Russian mission. Just now literally an
hour ago we were informed that from the Russian mission, 12 of its staff are
being expelled. This is yet another gross violation by the host country of the
UN agreement with the host country of the Vienna convention and etc. We have
been saying for a long time that when you just start an arbitration procedure
on implementation by the host country over it's obligation to maintain a
normally functioning missions and permanent representations to the UN.
Unfortunately, this arbitration to date has not began. We keep being told
about the need for diplomacy, diplomatic solutions and at the same time our
opportunities to conduct this activity are being restricted. We deeply regret
to this decisions and we'll see how events develop within the context of this
decision. We [inaudible 00:33:10] have in an official meeting now, but I can
see that the US representative has asked for the floor. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr.
President. I just want to take a quick minute, the status of the 12 diplomats
you refer to. I don't think it's really the proper subject for this meeting,
especially given the gravity of what we're here to discuss, which is untold
humanitarian suffering in the country of Ukraine. But since you have raised
the issue, I will just ensure my colleagues that the step that the United
States government formed the Russian mission up today was taken in full
accordance with the headquarters agreement that we signed with the UN. And
that those diplomats that have been asked to leave the United States were
engaged in activities that were not in accordance with their responsibilities
and obligations as diplomats. So under Section 13b of the headquarters
agreement, they have been given a request to depart this country so they do
not harm the national security of the host country. And I look forward to
taking the issue up, Mr. President, where it probably belongs, which is the
host country committee. Thank you very much. >> Indeed our meeting is not on
this but we do have our own opinions, on this and the explanations we just
heard from the representative of the United States not satisfactory to us. The
83rd meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional
agenda for this meeting is letter dated 28th February 2014, from the prominent
representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the president of
the security counsel, S/2014/136. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with
the Rule 37 of the counsels provision of rules of procedure, I invite the
representative of Ukraine to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In
accordance with Rule 39 of the counsel's provision of rules of procedure I
invite the following briefers to participate in the meeting. Mr. Martin
Griffiths under Secretary General for humanitarian affairs, and emergency
relief coordinator and Mr. Filippo Grandi United Nation high commissioner for
refugees. It is so decided. The security council will now begin this
consideration of Item 2 of the agenda. And I now give the floor to Mr. Martin
Griffith's. >> Mr. President, I speak to you from Geneva, and wherever you are
in the world, we've all been watching the military offensive in Ukraine with a
sense of disbelief and horror. As we all feared, civilians are already paying
the price. The scale of civilian casualties and damage to civilian
infrastructure, even in these very early days, is alarming. Humanitarian needs
are growing into alarming pace in the hardest hit areas, civilian children,
women and men, have been injured and killed. Homes have been damaged, and
sometimes destroyed. As of yesterday, the office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights reported at least 406 civilian casualties,
including at least a 102 dead in these few days. The real figure could be
considerably higher as many reported casualties have yet to be confirmed. We
know and we will have of course much more from Filippo, that at least 160,000
people have been internally displaced across Ukraine, fleeing for safety. We
know that figure is likely to be much higher, potentially a significant
proportion of the entire population. And of course as Filippo will tell you,
we believe more than half a million refugees have been forced to choose to
flee their country in search of safety. So families, are separated, the
elderly and people with disabilities find themselves trapped and unable to
flee or even able to get that small comfort. The picture is grim and could get
worse still. Aerial attacks and fighting in urban areas are damaging critical
civilian facilities and disrupting essential services such as health,
electricity, water and sanitation, which effectively leaves civilians without
the basics for day-to- day life. Bridges and roads have been destroyed,
cutting off people's access to critical supplies and services. The use of
explosive weapons in urban areas carries a high-risk of indiscriminate impact.
This is a particular concern in places like Kyiv and Kharkiv. >> Civilians
will undeservedly suffer the most from these attacks on densely populated
urban centers it follows. All parties must respect international humanitarian
law, take constant care to spare all civilians and civilian objects from harm
throughout their military operations. A party should also, of course, avoid
the use of wide area explosive weapons in populated areas. And the longer this
goes on, the greater the cost will be for civilians. Children will miss school
and face a greater risk of physical harm, displacement. I [inaudible 00:39:31]
imagine of this severe emotional stress. Women so often disproportionately
affected by conflict as we have so often discussed in this chamber, will
[inaudible 00:39:41] greater risk of gender-based violence and women and
children may be exposed to other forms of exploitation. The economy of Ukraine
could implode, which will further exacerbate humanitarian needs and create a
ripple effect that travels far beyond Ukraine's borders. Already the upheavals
in recent days are deepening a pre-existing humanitarian crisis, eight
grueling years of conflict in Eastern Ukraine had already left three million
people in need of humanitarian assistance on both sides of the contact line at
the Donbass region. It goes without saying that humanitarian needs are now
much greater including the large-scale displacement to which I've already
referred across and beyond the entire country, and not only in one region
thereof. Humanitarian workers are doing their best to respond. The UN has
expanded its humanitarian presence in Ukraine. We shall continue to do so.
We're working to ensure we can scale up our operations as quickly as possible
and we had been preparing for this for some time. I must say that for the last
three days, however, the movements of our dear colleagues in Ukraine had been
seriously constrained as result of ongoing fighting, and our inability to
receive assurances from the parties to the conflict that humanitarian
movements will be protected. And only this evening, I was fortunate to receive
the beginning of some assurances to that effect. We must hope that comes into
reality. In the meantime, local organizations and institutions are doing as
usual, the truly remarkable job that they do in all such situations responding
to needs. Local NGO's and the Ukrainian Red Cross are working tirelessly to
support civilians and evacuation operations. Health workers working day and
night to care for the injured, aid organizations providing psychosocial
support to traumatized children, delivering first aid kits. And we're all here
this afternoon to support their efforts. Today, our most pressing humanitarian
needs are for emergency medical services including sexual and reproductive
health services, critical medicine, health supplies and equipment, safe water
for drinking and hygiene, shelter and protection for the displaced. In all 119
humanitarian organizations are operating in Ukraine, able to provide some form
of humanitarian assistance [inaudible 00:42:47] stilted in these particular
days. Right now we urgently need progress on two fronts. If you want to reach
more people with aid that they need, that they deserve. First, we need the
assurances from parties to the conflict that humanitarian workers and movers
will be protected even during the most severe days of the conflict and not
waiting for the conflict to subside even now, even today, even yesterday, we
need to provide those protections to those workers to do the job that they
want to do. Under international humanitarian law all parties must allow and
facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of impartial humanitarian relief for
civilians in need and must ensure the freedom of movement of humanitarians. A
point we have been making in many different ways in these past four days.
Secondly, of course, we desperately need more resources. Tomorrow the
Secretary-General will launch humanitarian appeal for this crisis with two
components. A three-month flash appeal for the situation inside the country
and a regional response plan for the situation outside under the leadership of
Filippo Grandi and his office. The Secretary-General, alongside Filippo, our
NGO colleague, and I will all call all member state to show support with
quick, generous, and flexible funding. And cash will be a major source of
delivery of humanitarian assistance in the particular circumstances that
obtain in Ukraine, but this is certainly not enough. The lives of millions of
civilians are simply at stake. We know from other recent conflicts how brutal,
deadly, and protracted urban warfare can be, we know how countries economies
can be devastated, infrastructure, investment, and development gained setting
back an entire generation. And we know enough to know that we do not yet know
what will be the consequences of the events that we observe today. These
things should never happen in any country anywhere. Every effort, of course,
must be made to deescalate the conflict. There are hundreds of thousands of
Ukrainian who have taken the decision to leave their homes to seek safety
elsewhere in their country or beyond, and those, even more of them who remain
are parallel for the loss of basic services and pensions of support of the
services their children need. >> The safety of a day that may come and may
not. I reiterate finally, Mr. President, the Secretary General's call for the
only thing that we must all pray for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Mr. President, thank you very much. >> [inaudible 00:46:26]. >> Mr. President,
greetings from Geneva. Today and in recent days, you have heard that the
United Nations humanitarian organizations, together with their NGO partners,
have remained in Ukraine. Let, me start by saying how proud I am that we
decided to do so just like we did in Afghanistan a few months ago. But,
naturally, as we just heard, our colleagues on the ground, like the rest of
the civilian population are now caught up in this deadly conflict. Many of
them were relocated and military attacks might force them to move again. Yet,
they're still striving to deliver health to people in need. Whenever a small
window of relative security allows for humanitarian aid to be distributed,
working with partners, including especially national NGOs, often in extremely
dangerous circumstances. But we know that we're not even scratching the
surface to meet the needs of Ukrainians, including an unknown but surely very
substantial number who have been forced to flee their homes over the past
days. The situation is moving so quickly and the levels of risk are so high by
now that it is impossible for humanitarians to distribute systematically the
help that Ukrainians desperately needs. I therefore echo as well the urgent
call made by the Secretary General and just a few minutes ago by the emergency
relief coordinator and by others. Indeed, civilians and civilian
infrastructure must be protected and spared, and humanitarian access must be
granted for those delivering aid to those impacted by war. A failure to do so
will compound the already extraordinary levels of human suffering. Mr.
President, in addition to the grave situation inside Ukraine, and as Martin
just told us, hundreds of thousands are seeking refuge in neighboring
countries. They need safety and protection first and foremost, but also
shelter, food, hygiene, and other support and they need it urgently. As we
speak there are 520,000 refugees from Ukraine in neighboring countries. This
figure has been rising exponentially hour after hour, literally, since
Thursday. I have worked in refugee crisis for almost 40 years and I have
rarely seen such an incredibly fast rising exodus of people. The largest
within Europe since the Balkan wars. Over 280,000 have fled to Poland. Another
94,000 to Hungary. Nearly 40,000 are currently in Moldova, 34,000 in Romania,
30,000 in Slovakia. Tens of thousands in other European countries. We're also
aware that a sizable number have gone to the Russian Federation. I want to
commend the governments of receiving countries for allowing refugees access to
their territory. The challenge to admit and register, to meet the needs and
ensure the protection of those fleeing are daunting. But so far they have been
met though I am seriously concerned about the likely and further escalation in
the number of arrivals. Mr. President, we may have just seen the beginning. So
my message today is one of gratitude to the governments of Ukraine's
neighbors. And also through them, my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of those
countries. Ordinary Poles, Hungarians, Moldovans, Romanians, Slovaks, and
citizens of other European countries have undertaken extraordinary acts of
humanity and kindness. This is the humanitarian instinct that is so needed in
times of crisis. I encourage governments to continue to maintain access to
territory for all those fleeing Ukrainians, of course, but also third country
nationals living in Ukraine. People there to work and to study and in some
cases, people that are in Ukraine as refugees and all of whom are now
similarly forced to escape the violence. At this critical juncture, there can
be no discrimination against any person or any group. I'm aware that the
European Union, its member states and other governments have already provided
countries receiving refugees from Ukraine with bilateral support, which I hope
will continue. UNHCR with it's United Nations partner agencies and national
and international NGOs is present in all these countries and we are scaling
up. >> We encourage host countries to avail themselves of our support and
expert advice as they address the situation and uphold their international
obligations. We're helping and can do more in areas like protection and
registration, organizing reception capacity, providing emergency relief and
cash assistance, and then identifying and responding to the needs of the most
vulnerable, many of them women and children, including a growing number of
unaccompanied and separated children. Mr. President, I regret to say that
unless there is, as Martin said, an immediate hold to conflict, Ukrainians
will simply continue to flee. We're currently planning, I repeat, planning for
up to 4 million refugees in the coming days and weeks. Such a rapid increase
would be a huge burden for receiving States and would no doubt stress
reception systems and related resources. Like old countries hosting refugees
around the world, they cannot be left alone to shoulder this responsibility. I
therefore welcome the support expressed by many European states at yesterday's
European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council to activate the temporary
protection directive for people fleeing Ukraine. This would enable if
activated immediate and temporary refuge in the European Union. It would also
facilitate the sharing of responsibility for people fleeing Ukraine among
European States. As Martin mentioned, we will launch the UN humanitarian
appeal for Ukraine tomorrow for activities both inside and outside the
country. Private citizens and companies from around the world have already
offered extraordinary financial support through thousands of donations, over
$14 million to UNHCR alone in a couple of days. And I'm counting on
governments to do the same. And quickly, Ukrainians and countries hosting
refugees from Ukraine cannot wait. Finally, Mr. President, a reminder that
Ukrainian refugees like all others, and please let us not forget the
continuing plight of Afghans, of Syrians, of Ethiopians, of the Rohingya
people from Myanmar, and of many others. All of them never wanted to be
refugees. They never wanted to be forced to flee their homes. And they all
hope to return to their country as quickly as possible. Mr. President, members
of the Security Council. It is not very often that I get to brief the Security
Council. Let me take this opportunity therefore, to echo what I said to the
Council the last time you invited me a few months ago, that humanitarian
workers are courageous, resourceful, and experienced. But they cannot keep the
pace of conflicts constantly growing in numbers and grab it around the world.
I speak to you as a sixth night of anguish falls over Europe struck once again
by war. And as millions of innocent Ukrainian civilians huddled in bunkers,
scrambled to board overcrowded trains and think with trepidation about the
future of their children. Let me say as an old humanitarian worker myself,
that the responsibility that you have to ensure that eventually peace and
security for all prevail over power struggles and narrowed national interest
has never been as urgent, thus indispensable a task as it is tonight. If you
fail, if we fail, it might be too late for us all. Thank you. >> I thank you,
Mr. Grandi. I give the board to those council members who wish to make
statements. And I give the board to the representative of France. >> Mr.
President, I thank Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Grandi for their statements. The
humanitarian consequences of the Russian offensive in Ukraine are tragic. The
numbers of young victims including children continues to increase. Cities are
getting bombed. Civilians and infrastructure is being destroyed. Around
500,000 people have been about to flee and take refuge in Poland, Hungary,
Romania, Slovakia, and Moldova. This figure continues to climb hour by hour.
We have a solidarity that neighboring states have done [inaudible 00:59:02]
Russia, a permanent member of this council is violating the most essential
principles of the charger of the United Nations. Russia is trampling on
international humanitarian law and human rights. It is riding roughshod over
the Geneva conventions. France reiterates its call for an immediate stop to
its status which always go before any peace talks. The protection of civilians
including children and humanitarian personnel as well as civilian
infrastructure is an absolute priority. There is no compromise on this. We
reiterate our call for safe and an impeded humanitarian access to all people
in need. We have our shared responsibility and a moral duty that of assisting
the Ukrainian population. >> Partners in the European Union stand firmly
beside Ukraine and it's population. European Union has already announced
€90 million in humanitarian assistance. France is also doing it's part,
it has just sent 33 tons of humanitarian assistance to Poland to help the
Ukrainians, and it's preparing to ship over 30,000 tons of humanitarian
assistance to Moldova. We hail the United Nations launching tomorrow over
fresh appeal for Ukraine, and a regional refugee response path for Ukrainians.
We call all member states to provide financial support, and we also welcome
secretary general's appointment of Mr. Amin Awad as United Nation's
coordinator for the crisis in Ukraine. The European Union sanctions adopted
against Russian federals will be implemented in full respect for international
humanitarian law, and we will ensure that they have no impact on the
humanitarian response. Mr. President, France with Mexico will present a draft
resolution to the counsel, calling for full respect of international
humanitarian law, the protection for civilians, and unobstructed humanitarian
access, in order to respond to the urgent needs of the Ukrainian population.
It will be brought forward to a very quickly. France hails the courage of the
people of Ukraine. Within the United Nations and in every institution, France
will continue to mobilize, with it's partners, to support the sovereignty and
the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the Ukrainian people. Thank
you very much. >> Thank you. I will give the floor to Mexico. >> Thank you
very much, Mr. President. We thank High Commissioner of Gambia and the new
Secretary Griffiths for their reports. The figures that were just shared with
us and the scene described, are the reflection of the humanitarian situation,
which is becoming increasingly brave as the hours go by. This is why, amongst
other actions, Mexico and France represent a draft resolution which overall
will seek cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and
guaranteed access for humanitarian assistance. We implore the fact that there
are continued crashes in densely populated cities such as Kharkiv, Kyiv,
Odesa, and others. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is
unacceptable. Mr. President, we're also very concerned at the fact that road
sectors of the population are deprived of electricity, water, and access to
basic infrastructure. The communities that are becoming isolated are facing a
lack of food and medicine. Health services should be conserved at all cost. We
call for open access to all humanitarian where it occurs without restriction
so that they can provide services. As we have heard, hundreds of thousands of
people have already been displaced, both within Ukraine and as refugees in
neighboring countries. Although these figures are very preliminary in nature,
they already are alarming, and they are going to escalate very rapidly. We
have to be vigilant when it comes to this increase in the days, weeks, and
months to come. Perhaps even the years to come. We call for keeping borders
open as has happened with great solidarity so that all those seeking
protection can find it, and so that the principle for non-refoulement be
respected. Although we recognize the right to legitimate self defense of
countries, it is also concerning that there is essential increase in the flow
of weapons, and the impact that this flow will happen to the civilian
population. We acknowledge the efforts of the secretary general, including the
creation of self. And we are grateful for the economical commitments that
several states already have made. Ukraine needs international economic
solidarity today in order to respond to it's urgent miserly needs. Lastly,
Mexico clearly calls on all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law.
Particularly, the four Geneva Conventions of 1940, and the first additional
protocol of 1967, as well as International Human Rights Law. Thank you very
much, Mr. President. >> Thank you. I'll give the floor to Kenya. >> Thank you,
Mr. President. I thank USG Martin Griffiths and High Commissioner Phillip
Ogrinding for their briefings. I also welcome the participation of the
distinguished representative of Ukraine. Mr. President, the humanitarian
suffering in Ukraine is unnecessary and uncalled for. Kenya offers it's
condolences to the families who have lost loved ones to the conflict in the
last few days. We regret the mounting casualties, the hundreds of thousands of
internally displaced, and those who are exiting Ukraine as refugees, and the
growing damage to civilian objects and infrastructure. Mr. President, we
commend the UN for swiftly stepping in to provide humanitarian assistance. We
also commend Ukraine's neighbors for opening their borders to refugees. We
give a special thank you to Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia for working
with our ministry of foreign affairs to enable Kenyan citizens in Ukraine visa
free entry. Mr. President- >> In the unfolding emergency, there have been
disturbing reports about the racist treatment of Africans, and people of
African descent seeking to flee Ukraine to safety. The media is covering these
appalling incidents, and several states have confirmed that their citizens are
suffering such treatment. We strongly condemn this racism and believe that it
is damaging to the spirit of solidarity that is so urgently needed today. The
mistreatment of African peoples on Europe's borders needs to cease
immediately, whether to the Africans fleeing Ukraine or to those crossing the
Mediterranean. And we also need to be able to understand that there are actors
who want to magnify this story for cynical reasons that have nothing to do
with the well-being and safety of Africans. Mr. President, we're here to
discuss the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. But if we are truly to hold to
humanitarian principles, then we must broaden our view. The extensive
unilateral economic sanctions that have been announced against the Russian
Federation are almost certain to have serious humanitarian consequences. Their
effect in total may even amount to a form of blockade. It is our contention
that the peaceful means to settle conflicts advocated by the UN Charter do not
include acts that may constitute collective punishment. We must also add
caution that such considerable sanctions, rather than opening the path to
peace, may lead to an escalation and broadening of the conflict. The only way
out of this increasingly dangerous crisis is for prioritization of diplomacy
to limit all military maneuvers and open the path to negotiation. It is still
not too late to turn towards the good offices of the Secretary-General,
regional organizations, and bilateral efforts to deescalate this dangerous
crisis. Whether the conflict ends now or later, with even more disastrous
results, it will still require an appetite to negotiate a stable security
order. At this moment statesmanship is required, and we urge all leaders of
involved states to embrace their responsibility. As I close, Mr. President, I
reiterate Kenya's recognition of the inviolable rights of Ukraine to its
sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. Thank you. >>
[inaudible 01:09:50]. >> [inaudible 01:09:50] representative of the United
States. >> Thank you, Under Secretary General Griffiths and High Commissioner
Grundy, for your truly sobering briefings. But you've briefed only underscores
I think what the Secretary-General has said, that this is a moment of great
peril and great tragedy. Thank you to your agencies, your teams, for answering
the call to help Ukrainians in need during this dire hour. In a matter of
days, Russia's unprovoked and premeditated invasion has unleashed vast human
suffering across Ukraine. We need to address the displacement in refugee
crisis that we've just heard described. We need to address the food security
crisis. And we need to document and address all violations of international
humanitarian law and human rights law. This council just heard the latest
displacement numbers, which have been rising by the hour in the last four
days. First it was 50,000 fled, then 150,000 fled, now half a million people
have fled. This does not even include hundreds of thousands displaced
internally within Ukraine. And behind each of these numbers are real people
caught in a humanitarian nightmare unfolding before our eyes. And the truth is
no one knows where it will end, how many people will flee their homes, how
many will need humanitarian assistance, how many will die. That is because we
don't know when President Putin will end his war of choice against Ukraine. I
want to thank the many countries and the people in the region who have opened
their borders and homes to fleeing Ukrainians. The safety these people are
providing underscores our common humanity during an otherwise dark moment of
war. And I want to echo the calls of the United Nations Refugee Agency. We
should help and welcome all those fleeing conflict without regard to race or
nationality. Refugees are refugees, regardless of race or creed. Of course not
everyone can or will choose to flee, and those who remain in Ukraine must be
ensured unobstructed protection and assistance. Four days into the invasion,
our humanitarian partners have already identified cash, fuel constraints,
volatile security conditions, and logistical challenges as key operational
constraints affecting all a delivery in the country. We also need to be very
concerned by the hunger that Russia's invasion will cause. The World Food
Program warns us that the food security impact of Russia's invasion will be
felt far beyond Ukraine's borders. The Black Sea Basin is one of the world's
most important areas for grain and agricultural exports. Vulnerable people
from Asia to Africa and the Middle East will face greater levels of food
insecurity as supplies are disrupted, as we are already seeing. An estimated
283 million people in over 80 countries are acutely food insecure or at high
risk, and this conflict in Ukraine will only exacerbate situations already on
the brink of starvation. This is yet another reason why hostilities must end
now. Finally we are gravely concerned by reports of damage to apartment
buildings and schools, as well as significant infrastructure damage that has
left hospitals and hundreds of thousands of people without electricity or
water. Our bridges and roads are damaged by shelling. Adherence to
international humanitarian law is critical, including obligations related to
the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian agencies
must be granted secure and full access to people in need of aid. Tomorrow, as
we've heard, the UN will be launching a funding appeal, an appeal for this
humanitarian crisis. >> For our part, United States has already provided
nearly $54 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. USID has
been airlifting, and positioning relief supplies especially needed to help
older people, people with disabilities, and people displaced from their homes
to face the winter weather. This is just the beginning, and much more is
coming. We welcome the commitments, and leadership from other nations to
ensure life-saving assistance reaches those most in need. No matter what
happens next, we must do everything we can to help the people of Ukraine.
Thank you. >> [inaudible 01:15:02]. >> Mr. President, I would like to thank
Under Secretary-General Griffiths, High Commissioner Grundy, for their
sobering briefings, and urgent calls to action today. The Russian Federation's
unprovoked, and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine continues to visit
death, and destruction upon the country, and its people, inflicting enormous
hardship, and suffering. Ireland stands in unwavering solidarity with the
people of Ukraine. They have shown extraordinary courage , and resilience.
This fresh onslaught comes on the heel of eight years of conflict in Eastern
Ukraine, which had already displaced over 1.4 million people who relied on
assistance to meet their daily needs. The Russian Federation's invasion has
created a humanitarian catastrophe, compounding the suffering of millions with
a rapidly rising toll of internally displaced persons, and refugees in need of
humanitarian assistance. Millions of people in Ukraine are grappling with the
humanitarian consequences of a war, not of their making. Innocent civilians,
including children, are paying the terrible price of conflict. In Kyiv,
Carson, and elsewhere, we've seen significant damage to essential
infrastructure. This damage has left hundreds of thousands of people without
electricity, and water. It has deprived them of vital medical facilities,
transportation services, and means of communications, this is unacceptable.
Mr. President, the parties to the conflict must comply with international
humanitarian law, including the obligation to attack only military objectives.
The prohibitions against indiscriminate, and disproportionate attacks, and the
obligation to take all feasible precautions in attack. Ireland is gravely
concerned by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, which carries a
particular risk of causing civilian harm in violation of these fundamental
legal obligations. We are particularly concerned by reports of indiscriminate
Russian attacks, and shelling in Kyiv, causing death, and destruction among
the civilian population. The use of prohibited cluster munitions by Russian
forces has been reported. If confirmed, this is a farther damning indictment
of its military aggression. Cluster ammunitions are by nature indiscriminate,
and we condemn all use of these weapons in all circumstances. Ireland urges
against attacks on infrastructure, and installations, including nuclear power
plants. Such attacks would have profound effects on the health of millions,
and render the surrounding environment uninhabitable for generations to come.
Any armed attack on, and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful
purposes constitutes a violation of international law, including the
principles of the United Nations Charter, Additional Protocol one to the
Geneva Conventions, and the IAEA statute. We also express our great concern at
the deployment of weapons, and armaments are conducting missile strikes
directly from the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Mr. President, the Russian
Federation must protect all civilians in Ukraine. We recall its obligations to
respect international humanitarian law, and human rights law. The safety of
all humanitarian, and medical workers must be ensured. Humanitarians must not
be prevented from ensuring principled assistance is delivered where it is most
needed, and when it is most needed. Ireland and it's EU partners are providing
significant humanitarian support, and we stand ready to do more. We commend
our EU partners, and Moldova for their generosity, and solidarity in providing
shelter to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the war. They are deserving
of our support, and providing timely humanitarian assistance, especially to
the most vulnerable, the elderly, the young, and the sick. We appeal to all
countries in the region to keep their borders open to all of those seeking
safety, and protection. Ireland is already providing humanitarian support,
including core funding to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
as well as announcing a 10 million Euro humanitarian package in recent days.
When conflicts rage, unpredictable, even barely conceivable outcomes can
become all too real. Threats to unleash forces that cannot be controlled,
including threats of nuclear weapons, are utterly unacceptable. Ireland has
long argued that nuclear weapons offer no security, their use would cause
devastation in the region, and beyond bringing a new blight on humanity for
generations to come, that is not a prospect that any of use should be willing
to contemplate. Mr. President, we urge the Russian Federation to immediately
cease hostilities, unconditionally withdrawal from the entire territory of
Ukraine, and refrain from further threats or the use of force of any kind
against Ukraine or any other member state. In sum, we urge Russia to turn away
from war, and choose the path of dialogue, and diplomacy. >> This is the right
path and the time to take it as now, before any more lives are ruined or lost.
Thank you. >> [inaudible 01:21:21] >> Thank you. I now give the floor to
Norway. >> President, let me thank the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin
Griffith, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, for their
frank account of the consequences of the Russian invasion for the civilians in
Ukraine. We need your strong leadership in the response to this unfolding
humanitarian crisis. Norway is stepping up our support to the civilian
population in Ukraine. The government has announced it will provide up to US
$226 million to the humanitarian response. Let me start by underlining the
Russia, and Russia alone bears the sole responsibility for this humanitarian
crisis through its unprovoked, unjustified, and irresponsible military
aggression is at blatantly violated Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial
integrity. The parties to the conflict in Ukraine must comply with their
obligations under international law, including human rights and international
humanitarian law. They must ensure the protection of the civilian population
in all of Ukraine. We demand that all parties ensure the respect for and
protection for all medical personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties,
their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical
facilities. We are calling on parties to the conflict to protect all
humanitarian personnel and ensure and facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded
access to humanitarian aid for those in need. The space for neutral,
impartial, and independent humanitarian action must be restored and protected.
Fighting is going on in and around urban areas, with the use of heavy
explosive weapons. We are deeply concerned about the long-term harm to the
civilians, including children and civilian infrastructure. Homes, schools,
hospitals, water plants, and other civilian infrastructure, is being damaged
and destroyed. We are deeply concerned about the reported use of cluster
munitions. Explosives remnants of war will continue to kill and injure even
after the conflict ends, and they will prevent people from returning home,
going to school, coming back to work, and rebuilding their communities.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are fleeing the conflict. We commend the
neighboring countries for keeping their borders open and for the great
generosity and solidarity shown with people fleeing the conflict. The door to
safety and protection must remain open to all those in need without
discrimination. We will do our part including providing support. This weekend,
two media workers were shot and injured. Journalist and media workers are
civilians under international humanitarian law. The world realize on
independent and truthful reporting of the events that are unfolding. The
heroic efforts of Ukrainian and international press are incredibly important.
We urge all parties to respect and protect the press both on the ground and
online. We demand the unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from the
territory of Ukraine to restore the respect of the Charter of the United
Nations and international law, and prevent further civilian suffering. Russia
started the war in Ukraine, it can choose to stop it now. Thank you. >>
[inaudible 01:25:28] >> Thank your honor, I will give the floor now to the
representative of Albania. >> Thank you, USG Griffiths and UNHCR Grandi, for
those throttling updates on the catastrophic situation unfolding in Ukraine.
Dear colleagues, with its unprovoked aggression, Russia is causing an
unprecedented humanitarian situation in Ukraine, on a scale that Europe has
not seen in decades. We all know the toll of war. In every conflict, it is
civilian populations that bear the worst of the consequences, that pay the
high price. Conflicts equal with innocent victims, destruction, displacement
and refugees, severe human suffering. Those who initiate conflicts do know
this. We hope that the situation is alarming. UNHCR Grandi, mentioned
staggering numbers of hundreds of thousands of people on the move in and out
of Ukraine, and all of this in a matter of days. Women, children, elderly, and
people with disabilities are currently the most in need. As this aggression
goes on, civilians everywhere in Ukraine are terrified of what awaits them
when the rocket is going to fall on the roof or what other ways this absolute
war will affect them. International law is clear, targeting civilians and
civilian infrastructure constitutes serious crimes and perpetrators must be
held accountable. There is no justification for this war, as said there's no
justification when bridges are destroyed, when infrastructure is deliberately
target, when missiles hit residential areas. Dear colleagues we're happy to
hear that despite hostilities, the UN operation in Ukraine has expanded. We
support a strong and reinforced presence of the United Nations and
humanitarian partners on the ground. We support the safe, unimpeded access and
protection of humanitarian workers and deliveries to the areas affected by
conflict. Our message is all clear, civilian and civilian infrastructure must
be protected. Security and access for the humanitarian efforts must be
guaranteed. Safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine
and its people is and should remain a priority. International humanitarian law
and human rights law must be upheld. In particular, the Fourth Geneva
Conventions and their first additional protocol. Human rights violations and
other crimes must be documented for the purpose of accountability. We commend
all countries that are hosting refugees. >> As already announced last week by
Prime Minister Rama, we are happy to shelter Ukrainians forced to flee because
of the war. Albania has joined the wide array of sanctions recently adopted by
the European Union. The airspace of Albania has been closed to all Russian
operators, except for flights conducted for emergency, and humanitarian needs.
We are working to provide assistance in military, and hospital supplies to
Ukraine. Dear colleagues, the decisions and actions of the coming days will
directly affect the lives of millions of people. What is happening in Ukraine
should not happen anywhere. We need peace, not war, we need friendship, not
aggression. We are, and will stand with Ukraine. Thank you. >> Thank you. I
now give the floor to the representative of India. >> Thank you, Mr.
President. I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths, and
UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi for their briefing. India remains deeply
concerned at the unfolding developments in Ukraine where the situation
continues to deteriorate. Our considered call for immediate cessation of
violence, and an end to all hostilities, is an urgent imperative. India's
Prime Minister has advocated this strongly in his recent conversations with
the leadership of the Russian Federation, and Ukraine. We welcome the
commencement of direct talks. We reiterate our conviction that differences can
only be bridged through sustained dialogue, and diplomacy. We also underlined
that all members have agreed on the principles, the UN Charter, international
law and on the respect for the sovereignty, and territorial integrity of
states. There is an urgent, and pressing humanitarian situation developing in
Ukraine. In such times of conflict, India attaches the highest priority to the
safety, and well-being of civilians, in particular, women, children, and the
elderly. We are of the view that code principles of humanitarian assistance
should be fully honored. Taking into account the humanitarian requirements in
Ukraine, my government has also decided to provide urgent relief supplies
including medicines, and these are being dispatched tomorrow. We remain deeply
concerned for the safety, and security of thousands of Indian citizens,
including students stranded in Ukraine. Our evacuation efforts have been
adversely impacted by the developments on the ground at the border crossings.
Given that the safety of Indian nationals is of paramount importance to my
government, senior ministers from the government of India are being deployed
as special envoys to Ukraine's neighboring countries. We thank them for their
cooperation at this difficult time. We stand ready to help those from our
neighbors, and developing countries who are also stranded in Ukraine, and may
seek assistance. We also support all UN humanitarian efforts. As reiterated
yesterday, there is no other option, but to return to the path of diplomacy,
and dialogue as the only way ahead. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you, I
now give the foor to the representative of the United Kingdom. >> Thank you,
Mr. President. I start by thanking our briefers, Filippo Grandi, and Martin
Griffiths. As a result of President Putin's decision to launch a full-scale
invasion of Ukraine, a country of 44 million people is now on the brink of
humanitarian catastrophe. Whatever my Russian colleague claims, the world can
see that Russia's indiscriminate attacks against men, women, and children
across Ukraine, and it's disregard for international humanitarian law.
Missiles have rained down on Kharkiv, with cluster munitions hitting
residential areas, and injuring residents. Disruption to supply chains has
caused food shortages in Kramatorsk. The reckless bombing of an oil depot in
Vasylkiv has unleashed toxic fumes in nearby communities. Violence in Kyiv has
forced people to seek refuge underground, with many thousands, including the
elderly, and disabled, unable to evacuate. As we've heard from the UN, today
hundreds of civilians have been killed as a result of the Russian invasion. My
Russian colleagues may try to paint the UN's reporting as hysteria just as
they said it was Western hysteria to warn of their impending invasion. But
let's look at the facts: 0.5 million people have already fled to Poland,
Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Slovakia, and other countries. Seven million people
have been displaced, and that figure, as the High Commissioner told us, is
rising exponentially. UN agencies, and humanitarian partners have been forced
to suspend operations. In this moment, as the High Commissioner said, of
urgent need, the situation that the agencies face is impossible. The UK stands
with the Ukrainian people during their time of need. Yesterday, Boris Johnson,
the UK Prime Minister, announced $54 million in aid to help our Ukrainian
friends. This latest assistance package brings the total amount of UK
government aid pledged to Ukraine this year to $190 million. Last week, Prime
Minister Johnson also announced the UK would guarantee up to $500 million of
loans to Ukraine through the multilateral development banks. >> The UK will
also participate in tomorrow's UN appeal. UK government experts have also
deployed to the region to provide humanitarian support to those fleeing
violence in Ukraine. But colleagues, we know that a humanitarian response is
not enough to save the Ukrainian people from the disaster that Russia is
inflicting on them. Our message today is simple, once again, for the sake of
humanity, we call on President Putin to stop this war and withdraw his forces
from Ukraine. Thank you. >> The representative of Ghana. >> Thank you, Mr.
President. At the outside let me thank USG Martin Griffiths and high
commissioner Filippo Grandi for their very sobering briefings, which
unfortunately confirmed the images we're seeing on the media. Ghana express
serious concerns about the unfolding humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The
briefings highlights the indiscriminate attacks in civilian populated areas,
which have spread fear and panic among the population who have also been
forced into shelters and subways. Children and newborn babies have not been
spared of this regrettable situation. Thousands of people have also been
internally displaced, including Ghanaians and other nationals, with more than
half a million people forced to flee to neighboring countries as refugees.
Ghana calls for the immediate and unconditional cessation of the hostilities
which have resulted in the current humanitarian crisis and urges the parties
to refrain from further attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in
accordance with international humanitarian law. We strongly call on the
parties to grant unfettered access to humanitarian agencies and to guarantee
their protection and safety. We also call for the safe passage of all
civilians caught up in the war and who desire to leave Ukraine. In this
regard, Ghana encourages neighboring countries of Ukraine to facilitate the
free passage of persons fleeing the war without discrimination and provide
them with humanitarian assistance, including medical care in line with the
principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality. We continue to urge the
parties to accept the path of peace and seek an early resolution through
dialogue and diplomacy. I thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you, on now to
the representative of Gabon. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank the
UN Secretary General Martin Griffiths and the High Commissioner Filippo
Grandi. I thank them for their very informative briefings. I welcome the
participation of discussions on permanent representative of Ukraine. Mr.
President, our message on the situation on Ukraine is clear. We do not want a
war against United Nations member sate. Our message begins with humanitarian
consequences of war is equally clear. My country is very concerned by the
attacks against civilians and civilan infrastructure. We call on the
belivigence to refrain from any and all use of weapons whose impact would be
indescriminate. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the population who are
victims of war they didn't choose, of war they did not provoke. We ask
therefore, that human humanitarian assistance be supplied to the population in
need without discrimination or hinderance. We therefore commend the generosity
shown by the neighboring countries to Ukraine who are hosting the people who
are fleeing the war. Mr. President, I would like to echo the note of harm as
regards to African students, including some of my country who are fleeing the
war in Ukraine and are encountering this process as discrimination as they are
seeking to flee and for refuge. We've received several reports of racism, this
is unacceptable, we ask for the respect of the dignity and for equitable
treatment of all people in dier circumstances. It is the opportunity for my
country to recall the African Union appeal for the respect of international
law which requires equal treatment for all people who cross international
borders in conflict areas. Mr. President the humanitarian disaster and the
distress of the people can only stop if the hostilities stop. That is why, we
reiterate our appeal for an immediate cease fire and de-escalation. There has
to a humanitarian response on the scale with needs in Ukraine and neighboring
countries. Like appeal that will be launched by the Secretary General tomorrow
for humanitarian assistance is for very timely. To conclude, I would like to
say that my country urges the international community empathy and support all
victims of war without discrimination by nationality or race. I thank you, Mr.
President. Thank you. I now give the floor to the representative of the United
Arab Emirates. Mr. President, I would like to thank Mr. Martin Griffith and
Mr. Filippo Grandi for the briefings. Mr. President, the humanitarian
situation in Ukraine has a deteriorated significantly in recent days. As the
continued fighting results in damages to civilian infrastructure and civilian
casualties and deaths. According to UN reports, hundreds of thousands of
people are suffering because of a great shortage in essential services. >>
Furthermore, many homes were damaged or destroyed while residence, numbering
in the hundreds of thousands are becoming displaced or seeking refuge in
neighboring country. All citizens who are seeking refuge must be able to do so
freely and without getting subjected to racial discrimination. In light of the
crisis in Ukraine, we stress the importance of focusing on deteriorating the
humanitarian situation of all civilians including by working to ensure the
protection of civilians and preventing the disastrous humanitarian situation
from escalating beyond our ability to address or contain. Forwards forth, the
UAE is looking into the humanitarian needs for Ukraine. Least of our
consistent efforts to alleviate the suffering of civilians suffering from the
conflict. We deploy the ongoing violence in Ukraine and reiterate the need for
restraint for ceasefire and peaceful resolution of the conflict. The
continuation of the fighting will lead to further losses among innocent people
in addition to worsening the humanitarian situation which was exacerbated by
the extreme temperatures this winter as civilians are fleeing the crisis
seeking refuge and safe havens. In addition, we urge all parties to implement
their obligations under international law including by allowing humanitarian
aid to reach those in need and to refrain from targeting civilians. We also
reiterate the need to comply with the principles of international law and the
charter of the UN, especially respect for the sovereignty, independence, and
territorial integrity of states. These principles upon which the United
Nations was founded apply to all members states regardless of their resources,
capabilities, or geographical size. In conclusion, my country reiterates the
importance of working to reach an immediate ceasefire and seeking peaceful
solutions that serve regional and international security and stability. Thank
you. >> Thank you. I now give the podium for representative of Brazil. >>
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank the briefers for the informative
presentations. Let me also take this opportunity to express our solidarity to
all families who have lost someone in this war, to all people left without
home, water and electricity, to those who are fleeing in fear sometimes with
nowhere to go, and to everyone who is now trapped in a conflict zone,
desperately attempting to find refuge. I wish to commend all personnel that
are now in Ukraine trying to alleviate the suffering of the population. We
know that you are doing your best in very challenging circumstances and we
know that more could be done to assist you in your efforts. As we speak,
hundreds of thousands of civilians have already fled Ukraine. Many more will
certainly follow, millions perhaps. Most hostilities are being conducted in
densely populated areas where the risks of civilian casualties increase,
including children, particularly with the use of explosive weapons. Civilians
are being called to join the fight, possibly with no proper training. There
are pressing humanitarian needs for medical services, medicines, health
equipment, shelter and protection. Brazil calls all parties to fully respect
international humanitarian law and uphold at all times the principles of
distinction, proportionality, precaution, necessity, and humanity. It is of
paramount importance to ensure the protection of civilians and of critical
civilian infrastructure, as well as to ensure unhindered humanitarian access
to all those in need and the protection of refugees and displaced persons. We
also reiterate our appeal to Ukraine and Russia to facilitate the withdrawal
of all persons who want to leave the Ukrainian territory. Brazil expresses its
gratitude to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and others who are
facilitating the exit of people fleeing the conflict, including Brazilians and
Latin Americans. Mr. President, for international humanitarian law, it does
not matter how a war came to existent or who was responsible for it. What
matters is to spare civilians and maintain a minimum of humanity in an already
inhumane situation. So beyond any discussion in the council on the reasons for
this war, we can, and we must come together to adopt measures to minimize the
humanitarian impact of the conflict. This is the minimum that we can do.
Moving forward, it's important to closely monitor the situation on the ground,
the number of civilian casualties and the immediate needs of the population.
>> At the same time, there is no doubt that the best way to protect civilians
and avoid a humanitarian crisis is to prevent conflict, and when it erupts, to
immediately cease it. Any war will generate devastation, death, chaos, and
fear. The greater the escalation, the higher the risks of human suffering. In
the past few days, dominant members of the Security Council, the ones that
bear the greatest responsibility for maintaining international peace and
security have been openly referring to severe unilateral sanctions, military
actions, and nuclear forces. This must stop. The world needs these escalations
to stop and dialogue to resume. The severe economic sanctions being posed
might have rippling effects in the world's economy, with consequences felt way
beyond Russia. Possibly the population in developing countries will be the
ones that will suffer the most. The supply of arms and increasing
militarization of the region will hardly promote dialogue, it will probably
provoke more tensions. As we have seen reports on nuclear forces being put on
high alert, I would like to recall what the International Court of Justice has
once said about nuclear weapons, they have the potential to destroy all
civilization and the entire ecosystem of the planet. Their threats or use
would generally be contrary to the rules of international law applicable in
armed conflict. Any use of nuclear weapons would have unacceptable
humanitarian consequences for present and future generations in the territory
of Ukraine and beyond. So far, we have received reports of around 200 or 300
of civilian casualties in Ukraine, which is already devastating. If a party
resort to a weapon of mass destruction, what will be the number of deaths?
What will be the extent of this fraction? We have seen that before and we
hope, we plead to everyone involved that we do not see that again. I thank
you. >> I thank you and I will give the floor to the representative. >> Thank
you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I would like to thank USG Griffiths and
High Commissioner Grundy for their briefings. What is now unfolding in Ukraine
is indeed a heart wrenching. We call upon all parties to exercise restraint,
de-escalate the situation and avoid civilian casualties. The safety and
security of a life and a property of all civilians, including foreign
nationals under their humanitarian needs, should be effectively insured. It is
of the utmost importance to prevent a large-scale humanitarian crisis. We
welcome the remarks by the Secretary-General where he indicated that the
United Nations will play an active role in coordinating the humanitarian
assistance. In our view, the United Nations and the international community
should provide humanitarian assistance in accordance with the principles of
humanity, neutrality, and impartiality as set for in GA resolution 46/182, in
order to avoid politicization of humanitarian activities. Mr. President, what
remain most important for the time being, is to return to the track of
diplomatic negotiations and a political settlement as soon as possible and to
promote a de-escalation of the situation. China supports the holding of direct
dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, which is the ultimate way out of this
crisis. The international community should provide favorable external
conditions for dialogue and a political settlement and avoid exacerbating the
situation. Any action by this council should place it in a better position to
play a constructive role rather than leading to further escalation. Thank you,
Mr. President. >> Thank you. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as a
representative of the Russian Federation. We listened very carefully to the
briefings by [inaudible 01:54:31]. The situation in Ukraine is of course the
kind of situation that gives rise to more serious concern amongst all of us.
We can see that the ordinary people are suffering. The people who basically
ended up being hostages held by the Ukraine and radical nationalists who will
clinging to power at any price. Now why am I saying this? Because in those
territories which came under the Russian armed forces control the people are
not encountering acute humanitarian issues. The local authorities after the
radicals have left are working normally in providing all the necessary
services to the people. The life providing services to the people are
functioning. The acute issues only remain in those towns where the Ukrainian
authorities issued a criminally responsible order to distribute arms to anyone
who wants it, including criminals, the criminals who were let out of prisons
for that specific purpose and this resulted in mass instances of robberies,
and killings, and looting. There's plenty of information about that in social
networks. The social networks also have appeals from a number of heads of
administration calling on the Ukrainian authorities to stop this madness. We
also note that there is many instances where later on the victims of the
looters and gangsters are shamelessly presented as having perished at the
hands of the so-called Russian infiltrators. We address the people in Kiev
held by the radicals in the city as human shield. The Russian Ministry of
Defense confirms that all those peaceful citizen of Kiev can leave the capital
of Ukraine without hindrance via the road Kiev Vasylkiv. This road is open and
safe. Let me repeat it once again, they're the special military operations
conducted by the Russian Armed Forces does not have the goal of occupying
Ukraine or harming the local population. Dehumanizing the country which is
crammed with NATO weaponry is aimed at protecting the long suffering people in
Donbass in Ukraine. >> The special operation conducted by Russia does not
impact critical civilian infrastructure. Over the five days of the operation
there hasn't been a single documented case of targeted destruction or no
evidence of the deaths of civilians caused by the Russian military. And we are
constantly been told the opposite, referring to some credible reports, despite
the fact that currently in the information area, there's a huge number of
fakes, the kinds of fakes that people are trying to place on us to blame for
what is being done by Ukraine itself. And this tide of dirty lies replicated
in Western Mass Media, unfortunately, has become a dangerous mark of our time
today. At this meeting of the Security Council, once again we heard about the
bombings of residential areas, hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. It is
reliably known that the Ukrainian radicals are placing their attack weaponry
in residential areas which is a direct violation of International Humanitarian
Law. We would ask Martin Griffith and Filippo Grandi to please comment.
Everyone knows very well that when 2014, Russia and Russia alone basically
extended assistance to the peaceful people in Donbass, who were encountering
relentless shelling by the Ukrainian army and the blockade by Kyiv. We already
had several meetings of the Security Council where we explained this approach
and I'm not going to repeat this, I will simply say, that we deeply regret the
fact that even today when we're discussing the humanitarian situation in
Ukraine, not a single question colleague mentioned the citizens of Donbass
who's suffering for eight years, you've tried not to notice. A very important
measure of supporting the people of Donbass was a decree issued by the
President of Russia Mr. Putin in 2019 entitled, On defining for humanitarian
purposes, the categories of people having the right to apply for Russian
Federation citizenship under a simplified procedure. At the time when the
people in South East of Ukraine were basically pushed to the brink of survival
by the criminal authorities and Kyiv who organized a social economic blockade
of Donbass, in this situation, providing them the Russian citizenship allow
them to receive social allowances, pensions, salary as well as education and
health care services. Currently in Russia, we have more than 110 thousand
refugees from Donbass. They had to leave their homes after an event a week
ago, when Kyiv trying to get once again resolve their Donbass issue, military
in violation of the Minsk Package of measures and the blame for this situation
also belongs with our Western partners who openly indulged Kyiv in Kyiv's
rejection of Minsk and pumped the country full of weapons. Overall according
to the information we have since beginning of conflict in 2014, about 3
million Ukrainian citizens left for Russia. In conclusion, I would like to
underscore yet once again that Russia did not start the war, that Russia is
trying to end it. Ukraine started the war in 2014, except that all these years
you tried to not to notice it. It was very odd for us to hear from their
representable friends that the European sanctions on Russia do not violate
international humanitarian law, over the interests of the ordinary people and
Russia. This duplicitous statement is something that we heard before in the
context of other countries' situation. As regards the draft proposed by France
and Mexico that humanitarian situation in Ukraine, we need to study the text
very carefully before issuing any assessment thereof. In any event, please
know that the Russian military will provide any needed humanitarian assistance
to the Ukrainians in the territories that have been freed from the radicals. I
now resume, my function as the President of the Council and give the floor to
the representative of Ukraine. >> Distinguished members of the Security
Council, Mr. and Secretary General, High Commissioner. First of all, I would
like to thank the Security Council for addressing these urgent issue. Every
new day of the Russian unprovoked war against Ukraine increases the human
suffering across the entire country. I will also like to express my sincere
gratitude to the Secretary-General for his powerful statement and relentless
engagement with the situation in my country. The Ukrainian government welcomes
the appointment of Mr. Amin Awad as Assistant Secretary General to serve as UN
crisis coordinator for Ukraine. As I know, he has arrived to Geneva and
resumed his duties. His mission will be extremely difficult against the
backdrop of the ongoing Russian military activities that are often equaled to
war crimes. At the same time, millions of Ukrainians will require his
attention, in particular, our children, women, elderly, and other vulnerable
citizens. So I wish him and his team strengths and mercy in their walk.
Distinguished members, let us be clear. This is not only a security crisis,
this is a humanitarian crisis. This war of choice is not only a violation of
international code, it violates the conscience of the world. Security
assistance is needed, but it alone is not enough. We call on the international
organizations to provide us with humanitarian assistance. We call on you to
register all cases in which international law and international humanitarian
law are violated. Almost all speakers and briefers today were unanimous in
their assessments, the situation in Ukraine could deteriorate sharply. >> Let
me provide you with the latest available information from the government of
Ukraine. Today is the fifth day of a full-scale unprovoked and unjustified war
launched by Russia against Ukraine. Launched by Russia against the very heart
of Europe. Launched by Russia against the idea and ideals of democracy. It is
the most horrible enlarge scale invasions since World War II. In the morning,
I told the General Assembly about the shellings of the residential city of
Kharkiv by Russian grads, killing and wounding dozens of innocent civilians.
Now the residence of Kyiv, the home of three million innocent people and its
suburbs are sitting within Russian crosshairs right now. According to
Ukrainian health minister Viktor Liashko as of today over 352 people,
including 16 children, were killed, and about 2,040 people, including 45
children, wounded. Russia keeps attacking kindergartens and orphanages. Russia
is attacking hospitals. Russia is attacking mobile medical aid brigades, with
shellfire and sabotage grads. Russia fired at an ambulance cruise near the
Parisia and Kyiv. Let me say that again so that you can see this image in your
mind. Russia is attacking hospitals, mobile aid brigades, and ambulances. This
is now the action of a state with a legitimate security concern. This is the
action of a state determined to kill civilians. There is no debate. These are
war crimes. These attacks violate The Rome Statute and these attacks are far
from over. That is why I say this is a humanitarian crisis. As we sit here,
Russian missiles are aimed at destroying critical infrastructure, which could
lead to a serious environmental disaster and even radioactive contamination.
International humanitarian law is crystal-clear none of these facilities are
legitimate military targets. The civilian population of Ukraine is the first
to suffer from such attacks, and if we do not act today, it will be far from
the last. We welcome the statement issued today by the ICC prosecutor Karim
Khan, on the situation in Ukraine. The statement about his decision to proceed
with opening an investigation. In his statement, the ICC prosecutor says that
he reviewed the office's conclusions arising from the preliminary examination
of the situation in Ukraine, and has confirmed that there is a reasonable
basis to proceed with opening an investigation. In particular, he's satisfied
that there is a reasonable basis to believe that those allege war crimes and
crimes against humanity have been committed in Ukraine in relation to the
events already assessed during the preliminary examination by the office.
Given the expansion of the conflict in recent days, it is his intention that
this investigation will also encompass any new alleged crimes falling within
the jurisdiction of his office that are committed by any party to the conflict
on any part of the territory of Ukraine. The prosecutor will also be asking
for the support of all state parties and the international community as a
whole. As his office sets about this investigation. He will be calling for
additional budgetary support for voluntary contributions to support all our
situations, and for the loan of gratis personnel. The importance and urgency
or the prosecutor's mission is too serious to be held hostage to let all means
end of quote. To my colleagues from around the world, this affects you too.
Russian military aggression kills not only Ukrainians but threatens thousands
of foreigners who are staying in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is doing
his best to facilitate their passage at the state border, even as a border has
become overwhelmed with the massive influx of people fleeing Russia's Armed
aggression. Temporary volunteer assistance points have been set up at the
border to provide foreign students with food and cater for other humanitarian
needs. Please, do not be misled by Russian disinformation. There is no
discrimination based on race or nationality. If there are cases, they should
be investigated. Journalists working in the free press also are under fire
during live reports from the scenes of action and hotspots. A journalist and
the photographer working for the Danish newspaper, Ekstra Bladet, were injured
when their car was targeted in Actorka district of Sumy region. Ukrainian
children are crossing the EU Ukraine border without their parents, and without
power of attorney from their parents. In this regard, we request
decision-makers in the EU countries to provide clarifications and instructions
to EU institutions in order to secure free movement of, and assistance to
search underage persons and their guardians. According to the Ministry of
Education of Ukraine, more than 350,000 school children have no access to
education. Schools are closed due to severe insecurity in civil areas across
the country. The numbers of refugees are being assessed. The numbers could be
hundreds of thousands of people who have been forced to flee across
international borders into neighboring European countries, mostly Poland,
Slovakia, and Romania. It can take several days of waiting to cross the
border, and we are grateful that more checkpoints on the border with Poland
have been opened including two additional pedestrian crossings for all who
want to get from Ukraine to the neighboring safe country. >> Kyiv local
authorities have set up a coordinating humanitarian headquarters to provide
food and basic necessities to those in need. An electronic platform will be
launched tomorrow. On this platform, businesses will be able to provide
information about the available resources, and Kyiv residents will be able to
announce their needs. All of this information will be systematized for
effective communication and distribution of essential goods. Olga
Stefanishyna, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, who has been appointed as a
government coordinator for humanitarian assistance, working 24/7. There are
many urgent things to do like to agree on humanitarian corridors to evacuate
civilians from the most endangered territories. However, I need to warn you
not to be misled by Russian assurances of security. Russian wars often, if not
always, do not match their deeds. For instance, just recently we heard Russian
politicians and diplomats, even here in this chamber who said that there would
be no invasion, no attacks on Ukraine. Hence, these corridors can be easy
targets to the Russian army. To help people at the border crossing points in
western regions of Ukraine who are waiting for crossing for at least 1-2 days
to provide assistance to IDPs in Western region of Ukraine, including housing,
schools, jobs, to provide humanitarian aid to civilians who remain home. And
now we are cut off from markets, including in the occupied territories.
Distinguished members of the Security Council, this is not only a security
crisis, this is a humanitarian crisis as I said before. The Russian rule
against Ukraine has brought the entire region to the brink of humanitarian
catastrophe. Let me, therefore, repeat our call to the international
organizations to provide all possible humanitarian assistance and to register
all cases in which international law and international humanitarian law are
violated. You have all heard the lies from the Russian side, lies in Moscow,
lies in the General Assembly, and lies in the Security Council. Distinguished
members of the Security Council and friends around the world, do not listen to
Russian lies. Listen to Ukraine's cries. Listening to the cries of men, women,
and children who have lived in peace, who deserve to remain in peace, and who
will forever support your own nation's efforts for please across Europe and
around the world. Russia has tried and failed to defend its lies, but the
people of Ukraine with the help of the world will never fail to defend our
land. Do not listen to Russia's lies, listen to Ukrainian cries. We need your
help. The Russian ambassador laments that a dozen of Russian spies won't be
able anymore to enjoy all the benefits of American life while doing things
uncompatible with their status used as a cover-up. The Russian ambassador
should instead work hard to report to his superiors that only a bunch of
cronies by his narrative here in the United Nations. I want to conclude with
saying that I'm looking forward to midnight even though the midnight is the
most dangerous time right now because that's when the most of the attacks take
place. But I'm looking forward to midnight when this abomination, occupation
of the seat of the President of the Council will be over. I thank you. >> I
would like to now give the floor to Martin Griffiths and the grand team and
I'm going to ask them to answer the question that we put when we made this
statement. About the placement of heavy weaponry in residential areas in
Ukrainian towns and how is this in line with international humanitarian law?
Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Let me respond to that if I
may, I'll try to. I can say that we have no confirmation of such reports of
radicals placing such weaponry in residential areas. The fact is that
accountability at this stage for breaches of international humanitarian law,
which we must see in time is naturally at this level of the conflict, in this
level of the violence, at this level of the uncertainty, very difficult to
establish. We are truly in a period of a fog of war, a fog which obscures
futures of so many people of Ukraine. I made a number of points I would add in
my briefing about the impact on civilian objects, civilian infrastructure as a
result of urban warfare. I mentioned, for example, Mr. President, a reminder
that large-scale urban warfare also requires the need to avoid the wide-area
explosive weapons. We are very concerned at what we're seeing now in the
streets of some of the key large modern cities of Ukraine. The way in which
people are voting with their feet, the way in which basic services are being
interrupted, and the way in which civilian infrastructure is being damaged.
And we will in time, I am quite sure, discover who did what and who broke
which requirements of international humanitarian law. Thank you very much. >>
Thank you. I want to ask Filippo Grandi, do you want to take the floor? >> No,
thank you. >> Mr. President, I fully support what the other Secretary-General
just said. Thank you. >> There are no more names inscribed on the list of
speakers but before adjourning the meeting, I would like to say that whilst I
listened to our briefers I was surprised because of just the reports and
videos and information in Ukraine. Some of them are taken as fact and others,
which are obvious are the ones that we have fully unquestionably reliable are
being considered inaccurate, unreliable, considered not to be verified. Well,
we're going to have drawn lessons from that and we expect that the UN
leadership will tell us how the Ukrainian activities are to be considered.
There are no more names inscribed, as I said, before adjourning the meeting,
this is the last scheduled meeting of the Council for the month of February, I
was trying to express a sincere appreciation of the dedication of the Russian
Federation to the members of the council and the secretariat, for all the
support that they've given to us. It was a busy month we managed to get to
consensus on several important issues within our purview although as you know
not on everyone. I would like to once again, thank all the representatives of
the secretariat, including the conference services, interpreters, and
translators, verbatim reporters and security staff. Our presidency is coming
to an end and I know I speak on behalf of the council in wishing the
delegation of the United Arab Emirates good luck in the month of March, the
meeting is adjourned. >> Have you seen the resolution on table with France and
are you satisfied with the consultations? >> We are working very close with
France and we hope that the consultations by the texts will continue. There is
no rush for it because it's serious document. >> Mr. Ambassador when are you
expecting votes on first, the generalist assemble resolution and then the
humanitarian resolution? >> We will follow the procedures and they are very
clear. There are procedures to follow on when the vote may take place after
you upload a draft. >> Do you have a comment Ambassador on the ICC Prosecutor
not wanting to open an investigation? >> I made a statement in the Security
Council referring to the press statement by the Prosecutor. So you can go in
record and check my statement online. We welcome the statement that he made.
We also would like to as he does in his statement, we also invite all the
parties to provide him with necessary logistic and financial assistance in
performing his duties and investigation. >> Excuse me, when you say there's no
rush with the resolutions for the French resolution [inaudible 02:26:19]. >>
When I say rush, I mean that we shouldn't have really act frantically. We
should act according to the procedures and fully informed about what's going
on around us. >> Mr. Ambassador, what's your next step at the United Nations?
What is Ukraine going to be doing? >> We'll continue to consolidate the very
clear position of the healthy majority of this organization, in defense of the
charter and saving this organization for the future generations. >> Can you
tell us something more about the text messages that you read at the General
Assembly and how you obtained them? >> What text messages? >> The screenshots.
>> You can go to the authorities of Ukraine and you ask them, they are
verified by the authorities. >> Ambassador what do you define that from this
talk from your government and what's really happening? >> Now I have no
comments because they will continue tomorrow. Too early to comment. I have no
read out for security reasons. >> Thank you Mr. Ambassador. >> So see you
soon. >> Do you expect your 40 minutes late coming back to New York?