August 30, 2024
Thank you, Mr. President, and I thank Director Ebo for the briefing.
I am wondering how many times Russia will continue to repeat the same rhetoric. It consistently propagates the claim that Ukraine’s defense efforts, along with the international community’s support for these efforts, threaten international peace and security.
However, Russia did not call for this Security Council meeting on its own initiative; instead, it requests such meetings out of spite whenever someone else does. This behavior mocks the Security Council. Simultaneously, Russia speaks of peace and de-escalation while conducting large-scale air raids, including on Kyiv.
Today’s meeting represents another instance of this mockery, yet it is not surprising. Russia’s hypocrisy is nothing new. Violations of the UN Charter, disregards of international humanitarian law, and breaches of Security Council resolutions persist.
Russia has also procured missiles from North Korea in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions and refused to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts, which had played a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of the resolutions. Russia employs any means necessary to continue its illegal actions.
Despite being a permanent member of the Security Council, entrusted with the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and stability, Russia abuses its position, using the Council as a platform for disinformation.
Today, it deliberately confuses the victim and aggressor, falsely suggesting that efforts to defend against an unprovoked war of aggression are the cause of prolonged conflict and delayed peace. This stance is entirely unacceptable.
However, no matter how much Russia tries to mislead the world, no reasonable person would believe its narrative, and we are united in affirming that its aggression against Ukraine constitutes nothing but a flagrant violation of the UN Charter—nothing more, nothing less. Upholding the international order based on the UN Charter remains of utmost importance for every country in the world, yet Russia clearly does not share this belief.
Russia may believe there is no way out but to continue its reckless attempts to distort the facts. However, I would like to say to my Russian colleagues: there is a way out. Withdraw immediately to the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine. This is the action required to achieve peace now.
End your sophistry in the Security Council, abide by international law, respect the sovereignty of other countries, and stop your war of aggression.
I thank you, Mr. President.