December 29, 2023
Ambassador José Javier De la Gasca LopezDomínguez, in his capacity as President of the Security Council for December, entered into the official record of the meeting a written statement by Lithuania, also on behalf of Estonia and Latvia, that strongly condemned the attacks perpetrated by the Russian Federation on 29 December, a time when people are celebrating Christmas and preparing to welcome the New Year.
“Such aggression disregards the UN Charter, violates international law and Russia’s own commitments, ignores the views of international community and relevant General Assembly resolutions,” the statement read, adding condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
“This attack comes as part of Russia’s systematic destruction of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure during the winter,” the statement further noted, pointing out that international humanitarian law explicitly prohibits attacks deliberately targeting civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks.
The statement also called upon the Secretary-General to remain “involved, active and constructive in finding solutions to end Russian aggression against Ukraine while respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence”.
Ambassador José Javier De la Gasca LopezDomínguez, spoke in his national capacity to underscore his country’s rejection of armed violence — in this case, the Russian Federation’s massive aerial attacks against Ukraine.
Recalling similar attacks on the morning of 29 December 2022 — which continued throughout 2023 — he called on Moscow to cease its attacks and “not repeat the pattern of December 2022”. Attacks on civilian populations and infrastructure must cease, and nothing justifies — in this conflict or in any other — attacks against maternity units or residential buildings.
Expressing concern over persistent “military thinking”, he called for progress towards a peaceful solution that fully respects the principles of the Charter, as well as Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Adding that December has been a difficult, complex month, he said that his delegation has promoted dialogue for international peace and security, which is the “paramount goal” of Ecuador’s foreign policy.