20 December 2024
Thank you, Madam President.
I also thank High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing.
On Monday, Council members once again condemned the humanitarian consequences caused by Russia’s aggression—a blatant violation of the UN Charter. Today’s meeting was called by Russia with a shamelessly familiar topic to discuss the so-called “increasing weapon supplies by the West to the Kiev regime.”
As always, this is totally misguided. Make no mistake: there is only one aggressor in this conflict. It was Russia, and no other, that launched this unprovoked war of aggression. It is Russia that has systematically violated international law, including the UN Charter, and escalated the situation. The country under attack is Ukraine, which is defending its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
To end this war, it is Russia that must stop its aggression in the first place.
Madam President,
Just this past Wednesday, the Council condemned unlawful military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the transfer of ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and the engagement in combat against Ukraine of North Korean troops deployed to Russia, which constitutes a clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter. We also reiterate our deep concern about military cooperation between Iran and Russia.
We must focus on Russia’s violations of international law and not fall prey to its disinformation or malicious tactics. We continue to strongly and unequivocally condemn actions that violate the UN Charter.
At the same time, we remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s legitimate efforts to defend itself. We have not and will not waver in stating that any attempts to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable.
We reiterate in the strongest terms our demand that Russia immediately and unconditionally withdraw from Ukraine.
Madam President,
As this is the last scheduled meeting of this month, I wish to convey our profound appreciation to the United States, as the Presidency, for its leadership and dedication in steering the Council’s work in December.
In addition, as our two-year term on the Security Council draws to a close, we extend our deepest gratitude to all of the Council members, the Security Council Affairs Division colleagues as well as the interpreters for your cooperation.
It has been a distinct honor to work in pursuit of maintaining international peace and security. As we step away, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the vital work of this Council.
We look forward to serving once again this august body as a responsible member within a decade.
I thank you.