Thank you, Mr. President, and may I join others in expressing our deep condolences to the Irish Mission and to the family of Jim Kelly – he was an exceptional and very well-loved colleague, and we will miss him. Thank you.
I also thank Ms Nakamitsu for her briefing today.
Mr President,
Only yesterday, this Council discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We heard from UN briefers about the devastating impacts on Ukraine, its people and its cities. On the region, to which 3 million refugees have fled. And on the wider international community, facing higher economic prices, and the consequences for countries in need of this Council’s attention.
Today however, we’ve had a rehash of amateurish disinformation, which we discussed and debunked last Friday.
It was nonsense then, and it is nonsense now.
As I said then – laboratories in Ukraine carrying out research on public health hazards are not a threat to international peace and security.
By contrast, President Putin’s illegal and inhumane invasion of Ukraine is the most significant threat to international peace and security we face today.
So today’s charade is really not worthy of a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.
The only thing this Council needs to hear from the Russian Federation – we didn’t hear it yesterday, we haven’t heard it today – the only thing this Council needs to hear is that Russia’s troops are leaving Ukraine.
Ukraine does not want war. Russians and Ukrainians – soldiers, civilians, mothers, children – are dying.
Russia is isolated diplomatically, isolated economically and bogged down in Ukraine.
So we urge Russia to stop this invasion now, before any more damage is done in Ukraine – and also to Russia.
I thank you, Mr President.
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