July 25, 2024
Mr. President,
I thank Mr. Ebo for his briefing.
A few days ago, Russia invited the member states to discuss multilateral cooperation with a view to adjust a “just and sustainable” world order. There were several people who were rather surprised by this initiative, at the very time when Russia is undermining the foundations of our multilateral system by carrying out large-scale aggression against a sovereign state, in violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter.
According to the same logic, Russia is today organizing a meeting – its seventeenth – to accuse weapons deliveries to Ukraine of being responsible for a war that Russia alone unleashed.
Almost two and a half years ago, Russia launched an illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, whilst this state was not threatening Russia in any way. Since then, Russia has decided to continue this war, despite the resolutions adopted by a very large majority in the General Assembly condemning this war unequivocally.
To achieve its ends, Russia is prepared to weaken the international non-proliferation architecture, which is one of the guarantors of our collective security. In violation of Security Council resolutions, Russia receives arms and munitions from North Korea. It uses North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine. It is stepping up its military cooperation with Pyongyang, allowing the North Korean regime to advance its illicit programs, at the cost of an irresponsible normalization of the nuclear threat.
Russia has also received armed drones from Iran, in violation of resolution 2231. France underlines its deep dismay about reports of possible transfers of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. If confirmed, we will respond in a resolute and coordinated manner, including with new broad-reaching measures. Moreover, we exhort all states to abstain from providing Russia with dual-use goods and components which could support its war of aggression.
In order to sap the cohesion of the Ukrainian people, Russia is deliberately striking civilian population and infrastructure, in violation of international humanitarian law. One of the latest examples is the salvo of strikes on July 8 hitting the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital.
In the face of this aggression, Ukraine has the right to defend itself, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter. Along with many partners, France has chosen to give Ukraine the means to exercise this right. This is why we have decided to grant military support and transfers of material to Ukraine. It is I order to defend itself, Ukraine must be able to neutralize military targets in Russian territory that are directly involved in operations against it. France will continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself, for as long as necessary.
It is Russia, and Russia alone, which is choosing to prolong this war. It could put an end to it today: all it would have to do is withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory, as requested by the International Court of Justice as early as March 16, 2022.
Our military support, which allows Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, aims to create the conditions for negotiations which will open the way to a just and lasting peace. Such a peace cannot result from armed aggression, nor from the alteration of borders imposed by force.
Thank you.