Transcripts For CSPAN U.N. Security Council Meeting On Ukraine 20220922

The eastern perspective out there to me, for all in the city life, its just a different perspective for me. Well leave this program at this point. See the rest of it as we go to our website. Live now to new york. The u. N. Security council is hold ago meeting this morning on ukraine. We join this in progress. Committed to avoid military confrontations. Strengthen ability and predictability. Increase Mutual Understanding and confidence. And pursue constructive dialogue with mutual respect. Just six weeks later, russia launched an unwarranted and illegal further invasion of ukraine. Of another sovereign u. N. Member state. Of a neighbor. And now this week president putin again issues threats to use nuclear weapons. Loath us be absolutely clear. Russias let us be absolutely clear. Russias invasion of cue crane is the antithesis of the principles of the u. N. Charter. It is a grave violation of International Law. Its an attempt to change internationally recognized borders by use of force. And no sham referendums can change that basic fact. It cannot be allowed to stand. If we failed if we fail to hold russia accountable, we send a signal to large, powerful countries that they can prey on their neighbors with impunity, which is something that every nation on earth should take note of. This is why ireland yesterday filed a declaration of intervention at the International Court of justice. In ukraines case against russia. It is why we are intervening in ukraines case against russia at the European Court of human rights. It is why we have supported action at the o. S. C. E. , the council of europe, the u. N. General assembly, and the Human Rights Council to hold russia accountable for what its doing. Its why with 42 other state parties of the International Criminal court we referred the situation in ukraine to the i. C. C. Prosecutor who is with us here today. It is why we support ukraines efforts to establish a compensation and reparations mechanism, and its why we will work with ukraine and other partners to exam examine how we can hold russia accountable for the crime of aggression. But it is also why this council collectively must consider how it acts to protect the principles and purpose of the u. N. Charter itself. No one country, no matter how big or powerful, should have the ability to veto the application of International Law for its own aim. Madam president , i said at the council in april that without accountability there is no hope for a sustainable peace. Not in ukraine, not anywhere. And i repeat that today. I also recall here in april the shocking evidence i saw of russia forces disregard for International Humanitarian law. That was no fabrication. The bodies that i sawtelle a story that i saw tell a story. Five months later more mass graves are being discovered. And in areas that were until recently under russian occupation. Attacks by Russian Forces on civilians and civilian infrastructure have intensified further since then. The devastating impact of explosive weapons in Populated Areas is ever more evident. With tens of thousands of homes, hospitals, and schools destroyed. This is why ireland is seeking the wide endorsement by states of the political declaration on explosive weapons in Populated Areas. At a high level adoption conference in dublin in november. Madam president , millions of civilians in ukraine and beyond are being potentially put at risk by russias occupation of the Nuclear Power plant. I want to repeat the demand of last weeks iaea board of governors, russia Must Immediately cease all actions against the Nuclear Power plant. Ukrainian authorities must regain full control. The last thing the world needs now is a nuclear accident. Madam president , this conflict can and will end. Our collective responsibility to the u. N. Charter, to the pacific settlement of disputes, to the maintenance of International Peace and security demands that it ends sooner rather than later. The path to peace is clear. The country that made a deliberate decision to start this conflict must now make the decision to bring it to an end. Russia Must Withdraw its forces from the sovereign territory of a fellow u. N. Member state. It must be held accountable for its actions, to the International Bodies and structures that we together have created for this purpose. It is not solely about ukraine and its future. This is about the entirety of the u. N. Membership, all of us, and all of our countries. If we do not reject russias actions in the clearest and most stark terms, we allow the world to be governed by force and not through dialogue and the application of International Law. Madam president , this council must take the lead. I thank his excellency for his statement. I give the floor his excellency, external affairs of india. Thank you, madam president. Let me begin by congratulating the french presidency for its stewardship of the council this month. I also thank secretarygeneral for his briefing and take note of the remarks made by i. C. C. Prosecutor. Allow me, madam president , to preface my remarks by reminding the council that india is not a signatory to the statute nor a member of the International Criminal court. Madam president the trajectory of the ukraine conflict is a emptier of profound concern for the entire International Community. The future outlook appears even more disturbing. The Nuclear Issue is of particular anxiety. In a globalized world the impact of the conflict is being felt even in distant regions. They have all experienced its consequences in terms of surging costs and actual shortages of food grains, fertilizers, and fuel. On this court, too, there are good grounds to be worried about what awaits us. The global south especially is feeling the pain very acutely. Remust, therefore, not initiate measures that further complicates the struggling global economy. That is why and strongly reiterate the need for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and return to dialogue and diplomacy. Clearly as the Prime Minister has emphasized, this can be not an evolved war. On our part we are also providing both humanitarian assistance to ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbors under economic stress. Turning to the specific topic before the council today, let me emphasize that even in conflict situations, there can be no justification for violation of human rights or of International Law. Any such acts occur, it is imperative that they are investigated in an objective and independent manner. This was the position we took with regard to the killings in bucha and this is the position we take even today. The council will also recall that we had then supported calls for an independent investigation into the bucha incident. The fight against impunity is critical to the larger pursuit of securing peace and justice. The Security Council must send an unambiguous message on this count. Politics should never, ever provide cover to evade accountability, nor indeed to facilitate impunity. Regrettably we have seen this of late in this very chamber when it comes to sanctioning of some of the worlds most dreaded despot. These egregious attacks committed in broad daylight are left unpunished, this council must reflect on the signals we are sending on impunity. There must be consistency if we are to ensure credibility. Once again let me emphasize, madam president , that the need of the hour is to end this conflict in ukraine and return to the negotiating table. This council is the most powerful contemporary symbol of diplomacy. It must continue to live up to its purpose. The global order that we all subscribe to is based on International Law, u. N. Charter, and respect for territory integrity and sovereignty of all states. These, too, must be upheld without exception. I thank you, madam president. His excellency, i thank you for your statement. His excellency the minister of Foreign Affairs of gabon. Thank you very much, madam president. I thank you for taking the initiative of this meeting on the situation in ukraine. Which is taking place in parallel to the high level of the General Assembly under the brand of both solutions when the world is as a turning point. I thank the secretarygeneral for his update on the situation in ukraine. As the prosecutor of the International Criminal court, for his briefing. Madam president , humanity loses its way every time it sinks into war and fails to protect skwreuflans from apros its and horror. The war in ukraine challenges us on several fronts. It challenges us with the victims in thousands. The ruins of devastation and the distress of the tphrd. It of the injured. It challenges us on propaganda, disinformation, or witing reality or rewriting reality. It challenges us with the Nuclear Threat and potentially represent prabl consequences. It challenges us with its shock wave on Food Security on the world scale. The advantage of challenges, the peoples of the world turn to the council for announcer to the multidimensional obstacles that rise on the path of their aspirations to peace and interNational Security. So that women, men, and children who fear a Nuclear Catastrophe and ask when war in ukraine will stop, we owe an answer. Our reaction cannot be confrontation of insults. We must rise to the responsibility entrusted to us in the charter of the United Nations and confidence which the peoples of the world have put in this organization. Gabon advocates a constructive dialogue to silence the guns. We are against war. Against hate discourse. Against outrageous rhetoric which feeds aggression and compromises prospect of peace. Madam president , my country notes with interest the International Criminal court has begun investigation noose the crimes committed by all parties in the war in ukraine in order to collect evidence and be able to establish both facts and responsibilities for the allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Both for the allegations of mass killings, forced disappearances and displacement, or deportations, justice must follow its course in full transparency, impartiality and independence. All Relevant International mechanisms must be used so that the authors of atrocities are made to answer for their crimes before International Law. Gabons message is clear, war is not a state of lawlessness. Parties respect intervention conventions to take civilians and civilian infrastructure in wartime, particularly the Geneva Conventions. Madam president , standards apply to the war in ukraine on all levels should be the same for any armed conflict. And the upsurge of compassion assistance and solidarity which is all too defensivedly reserved for the war in ukraine should be the same for all victims of armed conflicts. Let us not forget when the time comes the fate of many africans, including for whom it was too often sewn with shame and humiliation because of the color of their skin, many were refused the assistance they needed just as much as those sharing with them the same community of suffering, fear, and distress. Where many hearts are torn by victims of the war in ukraine, our hearts beat in time with theirs. And when discrimination is added to the horrors of war, humanity must rise together to strongly denounce it so the double standard is no longer the rule and so the noise of tanks and firing are unbearable wherever they are heard. Madam president , it is urgent for the humanitarian crisis for the war in ukraine to be dealt with and for its effects to be rapidly contained. Betting on time is taking the risk of seeing innocent people fall under fire, destroyed of civilian infrastructure, more families torn apart, and thousands of war orphans. To conclude we call on parties to negotiate respect for humanitarian law, the practice and principles of the u. N. Charter and support any initiative regarding the hope for a solution. I thank you, sir, for your statement. I give authority the minister of the Foreign Affairs. Thank you, madam president. Excellency, colleagues. As i understand it todays meeting was motivated by the intention of several delegations to discuss the topic of impunity in ukraine. I think thats very timely because this is precisely this term impunity reflects what has been going on in our country since 2014. The national radical forces opened and neonazis came to power then as a result of a armed coup with direct support of western conindustries. Right after that western countries right after that they took the path of lawlessness and totally ignoring rights of freedoms, right to life, expression, access to information, right of conscience, the right to use native language. And to date the crimes in february 14 remain unpunished. Those perpetrated the horrific tragedy in odessa on the second of may 2014 have not been found or punished. At the house of labor unions dozens were burned alive and died. In the same category as the political murders of public figures and journalists. In spite of there there is an attempt to impose on us a completely different narrative about russian aggression as the origin of the tragedy. This ignores the fact that for over eight years the Ukrainian Army and fighters from the nationalist formation killed and continue to kill inhabitants of donbas with impunity because they recognize to recognize the coup detat in kyiv. They uphold the rights guaranteed by the ukrainian constitution including the right to freely use russian, their mother tone. Recall how in 2015 the then Prime Minister declared that donbas was nonhumans live there. Inhumans. The current president did not go very far from that. Who last september when he was asked what he thought about the People Living in donbas, he said, you know, they are people and sometimes there are species. They are beings. So this seems to be a very common reference of the ukrainian authorities. They declared all those who dont agree there as terrorists. For eight years the kyiv regime has been conducted conducting a military operation against peaceful civilians. By wait, in ukraine, for many years now, total mobilization of all adult population, including women, is being conducted, in order to recruit them into the ranks of nationalist battalions. Then the armed forces. Now, by cynically declaring commitment to the minks agreements, the kyiv authorities overtly sabotaged their implementation. There were financial transport in donbas. People were denied their pensions, their subsidies, access to education. They were denied their basic civil rights. Including those that are guaranteed by the in the National Pact of 66. Then mr. Zelenskyy, having been tired of pretending stated that it was impossible to implement the minks agreement minsk agreement. In fact just a couple months ago proudly stated the minsk agreements which he signed, neither him nor no one else in the ukraine had any intention of implementing these. These agreements were simply needed to win time in order to obtain weapons from the west for the war against russia. And the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council said something very similar. Of course the kyiv regime owes its impunity to its western sponsors. First of all germany and france, will you also the United States. Instead of pushing kyiv authorities to implement the minsk agreement, they ignored the growing threats of kyiv to resolve the problem of dunn bass by force. Over the past few years the kyiv regime has conduct add frontal assault on the russian language. Brazenly trampled on the right of russian and russian speaking people in ukraine. Scandalous language laws were enacted on education in 2016. Ensuring the role of the state language. Comprehensive general secondary education in 2020. Native peoples of ukraine in 2021. All these laws are aimed at ousting the russian language, in essence complete ban. At the same time laws were adopted that promoted the theory and practice of nazis. The timid recommendations of the van hollen nearbyian commission of the council of europe and office of the high commissioner of human rights, the o. S. C. E. High commissioner on minorities on amending the language legislation were simply ignored by kyiv. And these multilateral structures at the same time didnt find the courage or they were not allowed to convince the kyiv authorities to fulfill their obligations they undertook on the area of human rights. The ministry of education of ukraine has excluded russian and russian literature from school curriculum. Books are being destroyed just as in nazi germany. And ethnic questions are being subject to intolerance. Today the official from ukraine have no longer even tried to hide their antirussian feelings calling on the killing of russians. Just a few examples. The Ukrainian Ambassador to kazakhstan now in kyiv a month ago declared in an interview, i quote, we are trying to kill russians. As Many Russians as possible. The more we kill today, the fewer our children will need to kill. End of quote. Did anyone notice this quote . Just earlier this april the mayor said something similar. The time of cold blood fury has come. Now we have full moral right to calmly and with a clear mind to kill these nonhumans. Around the world. For as long as possible and as many as possible. End of quote. Anti13th of september this year, just recently and the 13th of september this year, just recently, stated, in towns the Ukrainian Armed forces enter, people will undergo ukraineization without taking into account their views. This will apply not only to russians but representatives of other nationalities. And if you want to study any other language such as romania, polish, please go ha ed. Not to be financed by our state. Do it at your own expense. Improve your educational level at your own expense, end of quote s there any need to say all these statements have remained unpunished. We are not talking about russia here. Individuals spoke about representatives of other ethnic groups that live in ukraine. Of course the ultimate was the interview with mr. Zelenskyy on the 5th of august. Who suggested that everyone who feels that they are russian for the good of their children and grandchildren to get the hell out and to go to russia. I think the decisions that have been adopted by a whole range of regions of ukraine about conducting referendums are the result of his advice. Under the guise of combating russian aggression and september prattism, aou grain separatism, ukraine in march ban of activity on 11 Political Parties and pretext on their links to russia. Opposition to russian Language Television channels have been closed. For any attempt to provide an alternative of each of the official view journalists are persecuted. A wellknown public official who has often spoken at the u. N. Is in the prison of the security services. We have no doubt that ukraine has become a completely tote taltarian nazilike totalitarian tphazlike state nazilike state. Its no surprise the armed forces and National Battalions are using the tackic of terrorists, using peaceful civilians as human shields. And here whats particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping ukraine full of weapons, training their soldiers. They are clearly stating it. To drag out the fighting as long as possible in spite of the victims and destruction in order to wear down and weaken russia. That policy means the direct involvement of the west in the conflict and makes them a party to the conflict. Intentional fomenting by this of this conflict by the collect west remains unpunished. You wont punish yourself. We have no allusions that today the armed forces of russia are being and the militias are being opposed no only by the n. E. A. O nazi formations but the military machine of the collective west. In real time the regime of real time using modern systems, weapons, ships, satellites, drones, nato is providing intelligence to the Ukrainian Armed forces and stating that convinces them that russia should be defeated on the field of battle. Official representatives of the European Union have stated this. And russia should be punished by having any sovereignty stripped from it. This is isnt even lateen racism. But overt racism. Against a backdrop of mass shelling of towns and cities of donbas, mr. Zelenskyy is overjoyed at the effects of western weapons. Heres a quote, at last we feel how powerful western artillery has begun to operate. The weapons we received their accuracy is exactly what we need. He cynically stated. At the same time, there were no military or strategic tarbg located in the towns shelled. Only peaceful citizens of donbas are suffering. Since the end of july the armed forces are lobbying mortar rounds to the center of donetsk. They are lobbing banned antipersonnel rounds. This Violence Convention 1997 on the ban on antipersonal mind phao eupbs ratified by ukraine as well as the second protocol Geneva Convention on convention at weapons. Shut outrages remain unpunished because the United States and their 5 8lys with the contphaoeufrbance of International Human rights have been covering up the crimes of the kyiv regime based on the policy of zelenskyy might be a bastard but hes our bastard. The Inconvenient Truth that darkens the image of ukraine as the victim of russian aggression is carefully hushed up and sometimes deleted. Even western Human Rights Organization amnesty international, which is difficult to accuse of sympathies to russia, has been severely criticized and called an agent of the kremlin simply because in its report its confirmed the fact that kyiv places heavy weapons at civilian facilities. Also the criminal shelling of the Nuclear Power plant remain unpunished. Even though from the first of september representatives of the iaea have been present there. And not very difficult to establish who is guilty for the shelling. I want to recall that visit of the iaea mission to the power plant was artificially delayed. Even though in june all details were agreed antimission could have and the mission could have gone to the power plant already. It was a very unphraesant situation where unpleasant situation where the security of the u. N. Refused to give authorization to specific itinerary and then this not a very honest action. It simply delayed the visit power plant by two months. Even by three months. Plaque particularly three monthh months practically three months. Very concerned about the fate of russian soldiers who were taken prisoners. There are very many examples of torture. Including violation of International Im sure all those who are interested in what actually happened saw a video of the torture, atrocities by a ukrainian neonazis against russian soldiers who were thrown to the ground with their hands tied and were shot in the head. Did anyone hear comment on this crime at all . We have many, many witnesses of these criminal activity by the kyiv regime that have been happening since 2014. Russian Law Enforcement bodies cooperating with their colleagues from donetsk are investigating these thoroughly. Over 220 individuals have been considered found to be complicit, including the high command of the Ukrainian Armed forces. Commanders of units who were shelled civilian population. Also there were cases against mercenaries from citizens of u. K. , canada, United States, etc. I can assure you that all perpetrators independently of their nationality will be held accountable kpw eubl. I want to draw your attention to the following. When russian and ukrainian negotiators at the end of march practically reached agreement on the parameters of an agreement proposed by kyiv, just a couple days later the tragedy in bucha occurred. The fact that it was staged leaves no doubt in anyones mind. I want to draw your attention that western colleagues right after that stated immediately cried outrage and introduced a new package of sanctions, surrously adduce spuriously accusing us of killing innocent civilians since then when that propaganda operation was conducted. No one has mentioned bucha other than us. Once again in the presence of the secretarygeneral and ministers i would address you please demand the ukrainian authorities to make a simple step, take a simple step to publish information by those individuals whose bodies were shown in waoufpa bucha. I have been asking this the past month, secretarygeneral. Please use your authority for this. It would be very useful to get to the bottom of this episode. Of course we also noticed increased activity of International Justice with regard to ukraine, supposedly efforts to investigate crimes committed in ukraine that are ascribed to russian authorities. All this is simply propaganda operation. I just want to recall that neither the coup detat in 2014 or the tragedy in odessa or the shelling of donetsk or any other crimes have met any reaction from the International Criminal court. By wait this International Criminal court some 3,000, 3,000 references sent to the International Criminal court against criminals crimes committed against inhabitants of i. C. C. Theres been no reaction. It seems the i. C. C. Has now received instructions to step up its activity. We have no confidence in the work of this body. For eight months we were waiting for steps to be taken against impunity in ukraine. We dont expect anything more from this institution or a whole range of other international institutions. Everything i have said today simply confirms that the decision to conduct the special military operation was inevitable. We have said this more than once. We have provided a huge number of facts which show how ukraine prepared to play the role of antirussia staging ground. To create threatening against russian security. I can assure you that we will never accept this. Thank you very much. I thank his excellency, for his statement. I give authority tois lexiensy to his excellencies, development of affairs of the United Kingdom and Great Britain and northern ire hra fpd. Madam president , mr. Secretarygeneral, thank you. 77 years ago u. N. Members agreed on principles in the u. N. Charter vital for International Peace and security. They undertook to refrain from the threat or the use of force against the territorial integrity of the political independence of any state. Yet seven months ago president putin invaded ukraine illegally and without justification. He ignored the resounding pleas for peace i heard in this council on the 17th of february. Since then ukrainian spirit of defense and defiance in the protection of their country continues to inspire free peoples and nations. Every day the devastating consequences of russias invasion become more clear. U. N. Agencies have confirmed more than 14,000 civilian casualties so far. The actual total is likely to be much higher. More than 17 million ukrainians in humanitarian need. Seven million displaced within ukraine. And more than seven million ukrainian refugees in europe. We see the mounting evidence of russian atrocities against civilians. Including inskreupl gnat shelling and attacks on over 200 medical facilities and 40 educational institutions. And horrific acts of Sexual Violence. We see from the reports of the office of the high commissioner for human rights that in parts of ukraine currently under russian control civilians are subject to torture, arbitrary detention, and forced deportation to russia. And we have seen more grisly discoveries. Its not just ukrainians who are the victims. President putins war has spread hardship and Food Insecurity across the globe. Plunging millions of the worlds most vulnerable into hunger and famine. And once again as we have seen here today, russia has sought to deny responsibility. It ist has tried to lay the blame on those who have rightly imposed sanctions on president putins regime in response to his illegal actions. Let us be clear, we are not sapblgsing sanctioning food. It is russias actions that are preventing food and fertilizer getting to developing countries. It is russias tactics and bombs that are to blame for destroying ukraines farms, infrastructure, and delaying its exports. I sat here in february listening to the russian representative assuring this council that russia had no intention of inviting its neighbor. We now know that invading its neighbor. We now know that was a lie. Today i have listened to further installments of russias catalogs of distortions, dishonesty, and disinformation. Hes left the chamber. Im not surprised. I dont think mr. Lavrov wants to hear the collective condemnation of this council. But we saw through him then and we saw through him again today. We have information which means that we know that russia is about to hold sham referenda on sovereign ukrainian territory. With no basis in law. Under the threat of violence, after mass displacements of people in areas that voted overwhelmingly for ukrainian independence. We know what putin is doing. He is planning to fabricate the outcome of those ref rein r epb da. He referenda. He is planning to use that to annex sovereign ukrainian territory. And he is planning to use it as a further pretext to escalate his aggression. That is what he plans to do. We all on allon terrorist all countries to reject this and refuse to recognize any results. We are used to seeing russian lies and distortions. But let us listen to the testimony of ukrainians who tell us the truth. Who tell us the reality of president putins war. A doctor, her husband, and their 22yearold son were abducted by Russian Forces from their home near pwaoubga bucha in march. Russian soldiers shot oleg twice in the legs before they were all blindfolded and bundled into an armored personnel carrier. I want you to hear the story in her own words. I quote. First, they took us to a bombed out house. The russian soldiers kept saying they were going to kill us. My husband was left for hours lying on the floor in the pool of his blood. I dont know why. We had done nothing wrong. Then they took my son away from us. I dont know where. I dont know if well ever see him again. I just want my boy back. End of quote. Her story and those of many others tell us the truth, the real truth. This is a war of annexation, a war of conquest. To which president putin now wants to send even more of russias young men and women. Making peace even less likely. Mr. Putin must understand the world is watching and we will not give up. The members of the Security Council we must unequivocally reject russias attempt to annex ukrainian territory. We must make clear to president putin his attack on the ukrainian people must stop. That there can be no impunity for those perpetrating the atrocities. And that he Must Withdraw from ukraine and restore regional and global stability. If he chose to, he could stop this war. A war which has done untold damage to the ukrainian and the russian peoples. His war an assault on the u. N. Charter and assault on the international norms. We stand with our ukranian friends. Because the fight for freedom is the worlds fight for freedom. These are the reasons why ukraine can and must win. Thank you. I thank you for your statement. Let me thank you for organizing this highlevel meeting and would like to thank the secretary general for having this meeting. We welcome the briefing from the prosecutor of the i. C. C. The world has been united since this resolution 1593, 2005, nearly two decades that impunity anywhere poses serious threat to the international order. We have reenforced our institutions and defined conduct and sanctionses and punish that behavior that defile the norms we are committed to live by. No state, however powerful, shall get a pass. To do so is a central tenet to our globalization and puts the lives at stake wherever they live. The members of this council must act in a unified manner to end the paralysis and the war in ukraine. That war is intolerable and this risks making our organization [indiscernible] the damage to the standing of the chartedder may be incalculable. Ghana is concerned about the war in ukraine across several lines. The civilian population areas are the target of bombardment. We regret the basic law that protects ordinary people who are caught in the crossfires of war have not been respected. We are distressed by the painful humanitarian which have accompanied the war women and children have been displaced and face heightened risk to abuse. [indiscernible] other violations and rights of the freedom are widespread. We remain concerned of the nuclear efforts whether by accident or deliberate actions because of the concerned military engagement around the zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant. The disregard for the safety and security including are deplorable and we support the efforts by the National Atomic Energy Agency to prevent a Nuclear Catastrophe. With rising death toll and growing reports of war crimes and other Human Rights Violations we must uphold our responsibility as a council and send a clear message the atrocities will be held to ukraine account. To do so, we would be endorsing and sanking impunity. In this regard we understand the importance of ensuring responsibility for all war crimes in ukraine. Accountability is fundamental in preventing impunity. And this would be submitted, thorough and transparent and independent investigations to accomplish the fact and contribution of international crimes. Ghana remain supportive of International Accountability measures including the various investigations, processes being undertaken by the i. C. C. And the Human Rights Council. We believe in seeking criminal accountability for the victims of the war in ukraine the importance of international remedy and conflict sexual abuses must be addressed. We express our support for the United Nations early recover and resilience programs already being undertaken. Madam president , we have expressed several times our prepared premed position which we consider a disregard for the rules of International Law and the principles of a charter. Ukraine is a sovereign state and a member of this organization has every right we believe and indeed a responsibility to defend and its independence. We recognize the tremendous courage and resilience of the ukranian people. Ghana will not recognize territory that is forcefully acquired dismembered from a sovereign entity. We call on the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its troops from the internationally recognized borders of ukraine and respect sovereignty and independence. The need for a credible pathway for a again indiplomatic process. The barrel of a gun does not provide a pathway and leads to needless loss of life and destruction. The crux of the high not only for the parties but also for the rest of the world. As the president of ghana said yesterday in his statement, i quote, every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in ukraine hits our pockets and our economies in africa, unquote. Let me place on record ghanas appreciation to the secretary general to leveraging life saving humanitarian during the war. We know some positive initiatives. And on the shipment of grains to countries facing food. Senator inhofe security. We need to reach an for russian fertilizer and crop products needed for an madam president let me conclude with an appeal. In a week when the eyes of the world are on us and look to United Nations for leadership and hope, we must send a strong message that impunity will not be tolerated, that we need to end the war in ukraine. I thank you. [indiscernible] i want to thank for having organized this situation. Even in regions where facilities are taking place. The Security Council is the appropriate forum to seek a solution to ensure lasting peace. This weeks marks seven months since the start of the conflict. Tens of thousands of people many of them innocent civilians lost their lives. There are refugees and internally displaced persons who have returned to their homes. And faced the prospect of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Over the seven months, this council has received numerous reports of violations in the conflict zone including against vulnerable groups, women and children. Brazil condemned and defends an impartial investigation so that those responsible are held accountable. We reiterate our calls for International Humanitarian law. Madam president , we have an urgent task before us to engage the parties in dialogue in order to secure an immediate crease fire and opening up dpoirkses for a peace agreement. The continuation of the hostilities endanger the lives of innocent civilians and jeopardizees the food and Energy Security of many families in other regions, especially in developing countries. The risk of escalation arising for the current dynamics of the conflict are simply too great and consequences for the world order unpredictable. There are Viable Solutions to on conflict between the states. It is not the time to ac sen ate. The priority of this council will be to engage in negotiations for a peaceful solution to the conflict. Thank you. [speaking foreign language] indiscernible] i would like to thank you for organizing this important meeting. I want to thank the United States secretary general, the prosecutor of the International Court the outbreak of the war in ukraine. [indiscernible] and timely there are those for there is historical with [indiscernible] function civilized international order. International law. [indiscernible] premises of sovereignty, independence, good neighborhoods and integrity, reenforcing in the process and security of states regardless of the size or might. Madam president u. A. E. Will not go away from its call to abide by International Law. Including International Humanitarian law to respect its limits and implement its positions. There are violations are a cause of great concern. Especially regarding the war on civilians. The situation of women and children, especially those forced into enslavement are suffering from Sexual Violence and exploitation by organized crime. All of us are aware of the violence that all conflicts upon women and girls. We welcome all ongoing efforts including by u. N. Agencies based on the situation while taking in account of the impact. This remains our ultimate goal and requires comprehensive reconciliation that is accountability. The participation of women in conflict resolution. Not only reflect the experience of war but. [indiscernible] u. A. E. Remains in continuing dialogue and encouraging cooperation to ensure stability in and amongst states. We are also reminded here of a longstanding observation without con accept queens normalize the practice. The world before us and diversity is concerned with the consequences of the war and on Energy Security. And the risks of escalation. Therefore, we must and the words rather than seeing war and conflict. This approach and our solution of it is the conclusion drawn from our experience in the middle east where people have been battered [indiscernible] thank you, madam president. I thank you for your statement and i give the floor to the minister of Foreign Affairs of kenya. Madam president , we commend you and france of the Security Council. [indiscernible] this is a serious breach of the United Nations chapter and the integrity of all Member States should any action be taken to change the legal character of the areas in eastern ukraine. We are in a moment of grave danger to International Peace and security. The escalation of the war, the International Community feared is underway. There are clear threats about the potential deployment of weapons of mass destruction in the conflict. Civilians have been subjected to serious harm in contravention of the International Law and human rights obligations. It is a priority of utmost urgency that soldiers are for dlis palestinian area actions. Disciplinary actions. And those atrocities for prosecution. Those making allegations of human rights abuses against whom the allegations are made to independent and impartial and called for accountability of violations, we know that the truest protection of civilians is to stop the war. In this regard, kenya calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. This should be replaced that secures sovereignty and integrity of ukraine while addressing the security concerns of all parties and regional stakeholders. Madam president , the situation in ukraine is highlighting the serious reform of the United Nations Security Council. The president of the republic of kenya in his speech yesterday called for the department ray tissation of the and not to be totally destroyed. Our president made the call that it was time that the council more powerfully see that the voice of africa through reform of its membership welcome joe bidens announcement of the council to be disbanded. Beyond peace and security for the people of ukraine, it is for that an announcement to real change. The villages [indiscernible] need their livelihood protected from the climate crisis. And because of the ukraine. Who are protecting the interest in the Security Council by having the amended u. N. Charter. Only permanent membership by the african states will do. In this regard, we call on the entire permanent membership to fully embracing reforls. It is only the people will see that this institution. Madam president , i conclude that institutions and government that bodies and agencies that continue to help those affected by the war in ukraine. I have respect for ukraines sovereignty and integrity within its internationally recognized border. I thank you for your kind attention. [indiscernible] madam president and distinguished members of the Security Council, secretary general, prosecutor, i thank the french presidency to keep the focus of the Security Council on the threat. Russias war of aggression against ukraine. Bodies of innocent victims are being exhumed at least 445 graves in the recently liberated city izium. The grief of those who are close is yet another drop in the ocean of suffering that russia has inflicted upon the people of ukraine since seven months and eight years of his barbaric aggression. You have seen the image of a dead hand of a ukranian soldier with a yellow and blue bracelet still on it. I do wear one, too. Many of us do. And russia should know one thing, it will never be able to kill all of us. And here is why. Because on february 24 when russia attacked ukraine from all directions, within first 24 hours, tens of thousands of ukranians returned from abroad to defend their country and what happened within the first 24 hours after president putin announced mobilization, the opposite, thousands of russians booked International Flights to leave russia. Many flights were sold within hours. Yesterday, putin announced mobilization. But what he announced his defeat. 300,000, 500,000 people, but he will never win this war. Today, every ukranian is a weapon to defend ukraine and the premises enshined in the u. N. Russian will fail and consequent war crimes. Yesterday, president zelenskyy made it clear that the russian aggressive is the key to International Peace. Ukranian war enforcement with partners of the International Criminal court and countries who support both ukraine and i. C. C. Worked collectively to collect evidence of russian crimes and hold perpetrators to account. We trust the International Criminal court. Justice will be served. We owe it to not only thousands of victims but future generations in ukraine and beyond. There will be no peace without justice. I emphasize none of this would have been possible without crimes against ukraine. It cannot go unpunished and to put president putin on trial is to establish a special tribunal. I reiterate my call on all states to back this undertaking for the very sake of principles of humanity and u. N. Charter. Many of you may listen to me right now with one question in mind, is there a chance for peace. Will ukraine negotiate with russia to end this war . I want to say crystal clear, no other nation in the world pays for peace more than ukraine. President zelenskyy was outspoken about this yesterday, we have never wanted anything but peace and never wanted this war and never chose it. We want to lead a normal life. But its not enough for ukraine to want peace. Russia must prioritize diplomacy over war in order to give peace a chance. Russian leadership is seeking a military solution only. This chamber has seep many heated debates since 1945, many cries sees, but coming from the russian diplomat is quite extraordinary. We are focused on crimes committed by russian soldiers but if they are the only ones to cut off genitals, they are wrong. Russian diplomats are directly complicit because there lies these crimes and cover them up. Apparently, the only thing in todays address by russia in these torrent of lies is the flank when mentioning a president of a foreign country, the president of ukraine. I also noted that Russian Diplomats flee after russian soldiers. We take you now live to the u. S. For a votes. Consideration of the bill,