S/PV.9544 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Ukraine to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Ms. DiCarlo. Ms. DiCarlo: On Saturday, 3 February, 28 people, including a child, were reportedly killed, and dozens more injured, in the shelling of a building housing a bakery and a restaurant in the town of Lysychansk, in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. Lysychansk is currently under the control of the Russian Federation. In regions under Ukrainian control, the past few weeks have seen a reported intensification of Russian strikes. Yesterday four civilians were reportedly killed in the city of Kherson, and one more in the Sumy region. Attacks resulting in civilian casualties were also reported in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Last week there was a significant escalation in violence, with more than 570 settlements targeted, mainly in the Zaporizhzhya region. The attacks killed 12 civilians and left 60 others injured. Today it was reported that a 2-month-old infant was killed, and his mother wounded, when a missile hit a hotel in the village of Zolochiv, in the Kharkiv region. Two other women were injured. The impact of these attacks is devastating, particularly for the communities near active conflict zones. Since February 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded 30,041 civilian casualties, with 10,382 killed, including 579 children, and 19,659 people injured, including 1,285 children. The number of civilian casualties in Ukraine significantly increased in December and January as compared with previous months, reversing a trend of decreasing civilian casualties throughout 2023. OHCHR has verified that 158 civilians were killed and 483 injured in January. I must underscore once again that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they may occur, are prohibited under international law. They are unacceptable and must stop immediately. We acknowledge the tireless efforts of humanitarian organizations, including many local and women-led initiatives, to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict. But the people of Ukraine need much more. On 15 January, the United Nations and partners asked donors for a combined $4.2 billion to support war-affected communities in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees and their host communities in the region throughout 2024. Nearly two years since the invasion, 14.6 million people need humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, a staggering 40 per cent of the population. Some 6.3 million people have fled the country and remain refugees, mostly across Europe. After almost two years of no, or very restricted, access to civilians in the areas of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine under Russian control, some 1.5 million people there are estimated to be in dire need of humanitarian assistance. International humanitarian law requires the parties to allow access to all civilians in need, no matter where they live. Any obstructions that leave the civilian population without the essentials to survive run contrary to this obligation and must cease immediately. Moreover, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, we are increasingly concerned about the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers. The recent attack in Kherson resulted in the loss of two French nationals working for a Swiss non-governmental organization, highlighting the dangers faced by those providing essential aid on the ground. Last year, 11 aid workers were killed in the line of duty in Ukraine. In January of this year alone, five aid workers were injured. Similarly to attacks on other civilians, attacks on humanitarian aid workers are prohibited under international law. They too must be stopped. In a positive development, last week saw a successful exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war, both Ukrainian and Russian service members. We urge the parties to continue such exchanges. At the same time, I must reiterate our concern regarding the treatment of the remaining prisoners of war. As I stressed at my previous briefing (see S/PV.9537), the parties must fulfil their obligations under the Geneva Conventions. We continue to urge the Russian Federation to provide independent international monitors unfettered access to prisoners of war. A year after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the General Assembly adopted a resolution (ES-11/6) calling for increased support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, consistent with the Charter of the United Nations. Now another year has passed, and we are no closer to the end of this illegal and unjustified war. Instead, Ukrainians are mourning thousands more of their loved ones, millions remain displaced and more of the country has been laid to waste. In just over two weeks, we will enter the third year of the war. With each passing day, the damage the conflict has done and is doing to Ukraine but also to global peace and security, as well as international law, becomes increasingly clear. Only a solution in line with the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions will achieve a just and lasting peace.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

We convened an urgent meeting of the Security Council in connection with the missile attack carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Lysychansk on Saturday, 3 February. As a result, the two-story building of a café and bakery was almost completely destroyed, and the ceilings between the floors collapsed. Approximately 40 people were buried under the rubble. Twenty-eight people died, including a pregnant woman and her five-year-old child. Four of the injured are still in extremely serious condition. We have no doubt that the target and time of the attack were not chosen by chance. The city is located near the contact line and is regularly shelled with weapons of various kinds. There are not many recreational facilities in that area. The neo-Nazis deliberately waited until families were out for a walk on their day off and cynically attacked almost the only place of leisure in Lysychansk. The strike was carried out with the use of precision high-performance explosive weapons. Presumably, HIMARS MLRS rockets were used. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has already seized fragments of ammunition from the site of the shelling and is verifying their origin. Today we are likely to hear allegations that Russia has convened the Council too often on aspects of the Ukrainian crisis. However, we are not inventing excuses for the meetings. It is the Ukrainian militants who have become so savage and brazen that they are committing terrorist acts almost every week, shelling civilian infrastructure and killing civilians on Russian territory. This is the fourth terrorist attack of this kind in the past month and a half. The actions of the Kyiv regime are striking in their cruelty and sophisticated misanthropic nature. The shelling in Belgorod, the two strikes on Donetsk and the one now in Lysychansk took place on weekends and public holidays in areas in which civilians congregate in large numbers, and the timing of the strikes invariably coincided with peak numbers of visitors to a particular site. There was no military infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of any of the cases mentioned. The fact that the Kyiv junta has finally removed its mask and chosen the path of terrorism is evidenced not only by the frank statements of its ringleaders, but also by the actions it takes. For example, yesterday we learned that Georgian border guards confiscated a batch of explosives disguised as car batteries and intended for terrorist attacks in Voronezh and, possibly, Tbilisi. Behind this unsuccessful action aimed at, among other things, later blaming Georgia for everything, is a deputy from Zelenskyy’s party. It is actions such as these, carried out in the style of the most notorious terrorists of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, that are being funded by Western aid to Ukraine. The Armed Forces of Ukraine feel a sense of impunity and permissiveness. Moreover, they feel the unconditional support of Washington, London and Brussels, which do not care about the killing of civilians or the destruction of families and people’s lives. In its blind hatred of our country and its desire to somehow weaken Russia, the West is ready to pay with other people’s lives and renounce universal norms of morality. I would like to hope that ordinary citizens of the United States and the European Union, who live under the conditions of the most severe censorship and propaganda, will understand the whole truth about Kyiv’s atrocities and the complicity of their own Governments in them. They should be aware that the lethal weapons regularly sent to Ukraine are used to carry out terrorist acts against innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure, in violation of international humanitarian law. If some argue that Western countries have nothing to do with it, as Kyiv itself chooses targets for a strike, then they should be reminded of the confession made by the representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, Mr. Skibitsky. In August 2022, he let slip that in order to use the HIMARS systems, Kyiv must first agree on the target with Washington ahead of time. Therefore, it is obvious who is an accomplice to the crime committed in Lysychansk — and not only that one, but dozens, if not hundreds, of others involving Western weapons. Among the recent heinous crimes of the Bandera junta is the 24 January premeditated terrorist attack against the Ilyushin Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which was transporting 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war for an agreed exchange. As a result of the attack, 74 people were killed, including the Russian crew, military police officers and all prisoners of war. Let me remind members that the Kyiv regime was well aware of the planned exchange. The regime was also duly informed of the mode of transportation that would be used and the route by which the prisoners of war would be transported. Almost immediately after the plane crash, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine triumphantly confirmed its involvement, thereby de facto admitting that the aircraft had been deliberately shot down by the “valiant Ukrainian military”. However, as soon as the public learned that the plane was transporting captured Ukrainian servicemen to the exchange site, President Zelenskyy’s office radically changed its rhetoric and began cowardly denying any Ukrainian involvement in the disaster. It is significant that President Zelenskyy initially announced the need for an international investigation into the death of those aboard the aircraft. However, as more and more evidence of the involvement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surfaced, the Kyiv regime abandoned that call, realizing that the involvement of unbiased international experts in the investigation could confirm its guilt and destroy Ukraine’s already tarnished reputation. Since our meeting request on 25 January, Russia’s investigation has progressed. We have completed the decoding of the flight data recorder and voice recorder. Traces of hexogen with impurities containing up to 10 per cent octogen were found in the washes from fragments of the aircraft’s hull and equipment from the crash site, which is typical for foreign-made explosives. Today we have irrefutable evidence that the Patriot air defence system was used to carry out the strike, which leaves no doubt that Washington is a direct accomplice in the crime. The State Department has not commented on this information in any way, hypocritically suggesting instead that representatives of Kyiv do so. More than 670 fragments of the bodies of the deceased, as well as partially preserved personal documents, were found and collected from the crash site. Based on the results of genetic testing, we can confirm that the fragments belong to the six crew members, three military police officers and 65 Ukrainian servicemen who died in the plane crash. The investigation had at its disposal the genetic profiles of all Ukrainian servicemen. We are ready to share the results of our national investigation into this crime committed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine with any international organizations concerned. We have already circulated a letter to that effect to the United Nations. The evidence of the involvement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the terrorist attack on the Ilyushin Il-76 is so irrefutable that it cannot be ignored, even by the West. An unnamed French official recently told the Associated Press that the French military believes the plane was shot down by a Patriot air defence system, from a distance of approximately 50 kilometres. We once again call on the members of the Security Council and the leadership of the United Nations to decisively condemn the rocket attack on Lysychansk, as well as all other terrorist attacks committed by the Kyiv regime. The Banderite junta sees their silence as a carte blanche to commit ever more crimes. For our part, we reaffirm that all those involved in those crimes, including those who organize, as well as those execute them, will be identified and held accountable. We also reaffirm that all the objectives established for the de-militarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine, as well as the other objectives established for the special military operation, will be achieved either by diplomatic or military means.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. We have seen the news reports of a strike hitting a bakery in Russia-occupied eastern Ukraine, with at least 28 killed, on 3 February. While we are unable to independently verify that information, the United States laments all civilian casualties and expresses its sincerest condolences to the families of any civilians killed. The unfortunate reality is that Russia does not allow media freedom or independent reporting, so such claims are difficult to confirm. Though there is much we do not know, we do know this: the Kremlin bears full responsibility for the unconscionable death and destruction brought about as a consequence of Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations. Russian forces invaded a peaceful neighbour and continue their relentless attacks against Ukraine. We also know that attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects are violations of international humanitarian law. We again call for the protection of all civilians, on all sides, of every conflict. All parties to a conflict must take feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm. In contrast to Russia’s lack of transparency and contempt for international law, the Government of Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and to fully investigate any allegations of violations or abuses committed by its forces. Though Russia continues to deny investigators access to the parts of Ukraine it occupies, brave investigators associated with the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine continue their heroic efforts to document and investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes by conducting fact-finding missions near the front lines and in formerly occupied areas. That reporting has painted a brutal, blood-soaked image of civilian suffering and unspeakable atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha and many other places. While Russia feigns concern for Ukrainian civilians in Russia-occupied territories, Russian forces continue to inflict immense suffering on Ukrainian civilians. As we approach two years of Putin’s senseless and brutal war, we must remember the facts borne out of the hard work of unrelenting independent investigators. We must remember that Russia alone started the war, and its aggression against Ukraine is a blatant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It is President Putin’s single-minded pursuit of the obliteration of the sovereign State of Ukraine and the subjugation of its people that is prolonging the war. Even as we sit here, Russia continues to flout international law as it doubles down on its violations of the United Nations arms embargo on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. To date, Russia has launched Democratic People’s Republic of Korea- supplied ballistic missiles against Ukraine on at least nine occasions. Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must be held accountable for their actions which undermine long-standing obligations under Security Council resolutions. Those unlawful arms transfers and potential technology transfers from Russia to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea undermine regional stability and the global non-proliferation regime, as well as the Security Council’s credibility. To be clear, Russia is the only aggressor in the war and the only one that could end the war today. But even in the complete absence of any serious demonstration of interest by Putin in a peaceful resolution to the war, Ukraine continues to seek a pathway to a just and lasting peace consistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We renew our calls for Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, cease its unlawful procurement of arms and materiel from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and meet its responsibilities as a member of the Council.

I thank the presidency for convening this briefing. I also wish to convey our appreciation to Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for the information she just shared with us. The ongoing reports of strikes and counter strikes, notably the recent attack on the city of Lysychansk, underscore the escalating nature of the Russian- Ukrainian conflict. Reports indicate that the situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to engage in military action. The two-year war has entrenched divisions and, despite significant international involvement, is raising questions about the future stability of Europe, with broader implications for global security. Compounding the already dire situation, the conflict is intensifying amid confirmed public vows for increased arms transfers and a diminishing willingness to engage in dialogue. That development raises concerns about the conflict’s potential to draw in more actors and escalate into a larger regional or even global confrontation. The war continues to result in significant carnage and immeasurable human suffering, with the death toll and destruction escalating. Civilians bear the brunt of the violence, suffering disproportionately in what constitutes clear violations of international humanitarian law. Mozambique has warned on several occasions that the conflict was approaching a dangerous point of no return, threatening to shatter several decades of post-war stability in Europe and potentially causing worldwide repercussions. The ongoing escalation not only destabilizes the European continent but also poses significant challenges to global security, economic stability and diplomatic relations, signalling a pivotal moment that could reshape international dynamics for generations to come. In a world brimming with several flashpoints, that protracted conflict stands out as a critical fault line where the post-war order, based on the Charter of the United Nations, faces its sternest test. The situation not only tests the resilience of the United Nations framework for maintaining peace and security but also highlights the limitations of current international mechanisms in preventing and resolving such conflicts. As we have consistently emphasized, the only path to resolving the conflict lies in responsible, constructive and genuine dialogue. That stance emphasizes the importance of diplomatic engagement over military actions, highlighting the necessity for all the parties involved to commit to negotiations that prioritize peace, respect for sovereignty and the welfare of civilians. The call for dialogue underscores the belief that sustainable solutions can emerge only from mutual understanding and concessions rather than through continued military confrontation. That perspective is a lesson to be learned from the African continent’s own ongoing efforts to end cycles of violence and address the root causes of conflicts. The stakes involved, underscored by the clear tendency among today’s conflicts to converge, demand that we bear in mind the very reason that the Security Council rightly treats these incidents as threats to international peace and security. That perspective highlights the interconnected nature of contemporary conflicts and their potential for destabilizing regions and the world at large. It emphasizes the Council’s role in addressing such threats, grounded in the principle that peace and security are global commodities, affected by conflicts of any scale and in any location, a perspective that guides Mozambique’s mandate in the Council. With that in mind, Mozambique reiterates its firm advocacy for a political and negotiated solution as the only viable way to end this conflict and establish the ground for a lasting and sustainable peace between the two neighbouring countries. To that end, we call on the parties to cease hostilities and resume direct negotiations without preconditions and in good faith, bearing in mind that two years of war have been too long.

I too thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. It is with great regret that we are gathering in the Chamber today to once again discuss a series of casualties caused by war. It has been reported that yet another tragedy has occurred, this time in the city of Lysychansk. At the same time, as Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo informed us, the death toll, including among innocent civilians across Ukraine, has continued to rise. From a humanitarian perspective, my delegation has repeatedly expressed its concerns about civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure during the war, regardless of where they occur. Any attacks on civilians, including women and children, are absolutely unacceptable. Even during war, objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population must be fully respected, and civilian infrastructure, which is critical to the delivery of essential services, must be protected. The Republic of Korea calls on all the parties to strictly abide by international humanitarian law in order to protect the lives and property of civilians at all times. It is simply intolerable to watch such tragic events occur repeatedly as the war continues unabated. If Russia had not made a wrong decision, we would not be witnessing and mourning these repeated tragic situations today. In that regard, my delegation urges the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its military forces from the territory of Ukraine and to put an end to this war. In conclusion, I reaffirm the Republic of Korea’s firm commitment to working with the international community for a lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the Charter of the United Nations and all the relevant United Nations resolutions.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. Nearly two years have passed since the start of Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people continue to suffer from its devastating effects. We condemn this grave violation of international law and reiterate that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s territory in order to put an end to its aggression. We are alarmed by the daily news of attacks killing and injuring civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure, especially near the front lines and in the Donetsk and Kherson regions. Just this morning, a strike in the Kharkiv region killed an infant and wounded its mother. We have also taken note of the reason given by Russia for convening today’s meeting of the Security Council, which is a reported attack on Lysychansk, a Russian-occupied town in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine. Switzerland deplores the loss of every life, which is the costliest part of a war that has already caused so much devastation. We call on all the parties to the conflict to strictly respect international humanitarian law and human rights. Those rules, in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in the conduct of hostilities, are binding and must be complied with without exception. Since the end of last year there has been a sharp increase in Russia’s air attacks on Ukraine, depriving many of electricity, water and heating in the middle of winter. We are deeply grateful to all who continue to play a key role in the humanitarian response in Ukraine. We are appalled by the incessant violence that Ukrainians are facing. We reiterate the need to guarantee full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Ukraine, including in territories under Russia’s military control. As Switzerland regularly emphasizes, humanitarian personnel and their activities are protected from attacks under international humanitarian law. In that regard, we strongly condemn the attack that claimed the lives of two French aid workers and wounded other employees of the Swiss Church Aid non-governmental organization near the front line last week. In conclusion, I want to stress that civilians, including aid workers, must not be targeted and must be protected. We emphasize the need to conduct credible, transparent, independent and impartial investigations into all violations of international law and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her informative briefing, and I appreciate her willingness to brief the Security Council when required. I acknowledge the delegation of Ukraine’s presence in the Chamber. It is with deep regret and a sense of déjà vu that we are meeting in this Chamber once again to address the continuing and devastating effects of this war. Ecuador deplores the recent reports that missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities and towns have killed civilians, including children, and destroyed civilian infrastructure. The incident in the city of Lysychansk is a reminder of the catastrophic effects of war. Ecuador reiterates the importance of ending the attacks on the population and civilian infrastructure and stresses the responsibility of the parties to fully uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by observing the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. We also call for the protection of humanitarian personnel and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. In the midst of a harsh winter, millions of Ukrainians lack electricity, water and heat due to targeted attacks on critical infrastructure. Every report of civilian casualties, attacks on civilian infrastructure and violations of international humanitarian law reminds us of the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities. The military aggression against Ukraine is a tragedy for the peoples of Russia and Ukraine, and it therefore must end. All diplomatic means must be used to advance towards a just and lasting peace based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

I thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo for her briefing. We are aware of the report of an incident that took place in Lysychansk, part of the territory of Ukraine and now temporarily occupied by Russia. Without knowing the facts, it is difficult to make official comments. As a principled position, we condemn all violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights, and we call upon all parties to strictly abide by international humanitarian law. We underline that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities. The international community must hold those responsible to account in accordance with international law. Why did the incident in Lysychansk occur? Without Russia’s unprovoked aggression against a sovereign State, the incident would not have happened. Russia continues its repeated and useless attempts to make us forget that clear fact. However, wrongdoing is not acceptable, no matter how much one may try to justify it. We will not give in to such attempts. We would like to recall another basic fact: Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council with primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not a matter for Europe alone, but a challenge to the rules and principles of the international community as a whole. As a member of the international community, we believe that Russia should correct its violations of the Charter of the United Nations, take responsibility and use its power for the benefit of the entire world. Therefore, Japan once again urges Russia to stop its aggression and immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

I also would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. I would like to convey my country’s condolences to the families of those killed in the attack on the occupied city of Lysychansk on Saturday, as well as to the families of all civilians and humanitarian workers who have been killed in recent attacks on Ukraine. We regret that unnecessary loss of life in that unnecessary and unlawful war. Let me make two points on behalf of my delegation. First, respect for international humanitarian law and its principles and for international human rights law needs to be assured by all sides and at all times. It is essential for the protection of civilians and civilian buildings and other infrastructure during armed conflicts. Call it optimistic or naïve, but Slovenia’s aim during its tenure in the Security Council is to build trust. Such trust is needed to secure action by the Council to end the war in Ukraine. That is why we use single standards, and we pay equal attention to respect for international humanitarian law by all sides. We have repeatedly called for timely, effective and comprehensive accountability measures, including justice for victims. In that regard, Slovenia strongly supports the International Criminal Court. Secondly, every civilian death is one too many. Russia must stop its war of aggression, which has already lasted for nearly two years, and withdraw its troops from Ukraine. That is the only way to end the destruction and unnecessary deaths. It is as simple as that.

I thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo for her briefing. Algeria has flagged many times that the escalation of tensions will only aggravate the death toll, calling for more restraint and dialogue instead of confrontation. Algeria has also expressed its deep concern about the exacerbation of the phenomenon of polarization, which contributes only to prolonging the crisis and raising the risk of escalation. And yet again we are convening urgently to address another painful episode of the killing of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. No fewer than 28 civilians were reportedly killed by rockets targeting nothing but a bakery. How has a simple, routine act of buying food from a neighbourhood market become life-threatening? Military activities should never target civilians or civilian infrastructure. It is a violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and it is worsening the already volatile humanitarian situation. Algeria once again expresses it concern about the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation and would like to stress the following. First, the conflict requires, more than ever, the mobilization of intense diplomatic efforts to put an end to the humanitarian crisis, without discrimination in addressing human suffering. Secondly, it is paramount that all parties de-escalate hostilities and prioritize civilian protection. Thirdly, it is also critical to focus on creating the conditions for inclusive and constructive dialogue in line with the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes. Finally, Algeria calls again for the intensification of international diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace, based on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the legitimate security concerns of all parties.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. On 1 February, a convoy from the non-governmental organization Entraide Protestante Suisse was chased by Russian drones as it left the town of Beryslav. Both vehicles were unarmoured and displayed the Entraide Protestante Suisse logo on their hood and sides. It was not possible to ignore the fact that those vehicles belonged to a non-governmental organization. Russia deliberately targeted that convoy, killing two French civilian rescuers and injuring three others, as well as a Ukrainian. Those individuals were aid workers. They risked their lives to come to the aid of the Ukrainian population, who have been suffering the devastating consequences of the Russian aggression for two years. Russia has once again deliberately targeted civilians, violating international humanitarian law. Last week alone, Russia attacked Ukraine more than 1,500 times, hitting 570 different locations and leaving 12 people dead and 60 others injured. We also cannot forget the massacres committed by Russian forces in Ukraine — the targeting of the Kramatorsk railway station as thousands of civilians sought to flee the conflict, the Kremenchuk shopping centre, the residential buildings of Vinnytsia, the meal of mourning in Hroza. The cynicism with which Russia seeks to deflect responsibility is clear to all. By calling today’s meeting even as it is targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine on a daily basis, Russia is insulting our intelligence. It is undertaking yet another crude manipulation of the Council. Russian soldiers, inhabitants of Donbas, civilians from every village in Ukraine, French rescue workers — Russia bears sole responsibility for all the deaths caused by its war against Ukraine. France expresses its condolences to the families of the 28 innocent victims from 3 February. But that tragedy, like the others, would never occur before 24 February 2022. If Russia were to stop its aggression and withdraws its troops, in accordance with the International Court of Justice 16 March 2022 ruling, the slaughter would cease. Russia can make that choice at any time, without prejudice to its own security or that of the Russian- speaking populations of Ukraine.

I also thank Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo for her informative briefing. This month marks the two-year anniversary since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Since then, thousands of civilians have been killed. Thousands more have been injured, maimed and displaced. Children have been subjected to the horrors of war, orphaned or forcibly transferred from their communities. Their futures have been shattered — for many, irreparably. On this occasion, we remember all civilians who have lost their lives in this senseless war and express our condolences to their families. The dire consequences of this unjustified aggression, for which Russia bears sole responsibility, continue to escalate, with no signs of abating. The steady stream of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure by the Russian forces remains seriously distressing. Just recently, Russia carried out attacks against nine of Ukraine’s regions, killing at least four civilian and injuring at least five others. Those inhumane attacks are added to the vast list of Russian atrocities, including the massive attack carried out in the Kharkiv region on 23 January, which caused the death of 18 civilians and injured 130 more. Malta remains steadfastly committed to the protection of civilians. We urge Russia to fully comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. The longer this war lasts, the more death and destruction it will cause. As the Security Council, we must also focus our efforts to make sure that those responsible for such violations are held accountable and brought to justice. Perpetrators must not go unpunished. We reaffirm our strong support for all ongoing accountability processes. Those include the important work of the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and other essential mandates. In conclusion, we reaffirm our long-standing and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Malta once again calls on Russia to end its hostilities and withdraw its military forces, equipment and proxies from the entire territory of Ukraine. A comprehensive, just and lasting solution is the only way in which peace in Ukraine can be achieved.

I thank Under-Secretary- General Rosemary DiCarlo for her valuable briefing. I welcome the presence and participation of the representative of Ukraine in this meeting. Sierra Leone continues to be gravely concerned about the regrettable situation created in Ukraine by the war, with its serious ramifications for international peace and security. We therefore reiterate our call for the full respect of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. We also reiterate our call for the immediate cessation of the hostilities and for urgent good-faith diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. We take note of the press statement made by the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation on the reported incident, with claims of Ukrainian forces allegedly shelled the Russian-occupied and controlled city of Lysychansk, in the region of Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. It is further reported that the incident led to the killing of at least 15 people, with 40 others trapped under the rubble. In the current military stalemate, the parties to the conflict and other involved parties must persist in their attempts to commence meaningful constructive dialogue and seek a path to a peaceful resolution. Regrettably as the hostilities continue, we reiterate our call for the parties to comply with their obligations under international law, in particular international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian objects must be protected at all times. Breaches of those obligations must be investigated and the perpetrators must be held accountable. The war in Ukraine continues to have devastating consequences for civilians and far-reaching effects on the global economy, causing death and destruction and leaving millions of people without access to vital services. Civilian casualties have exceeded 29,000. There are now more than 14.6 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance, including approximately 10 million people forcibly displaced, and 3.3 million people living in front-line communities are grappling with severe shortages of resources and constant bombardment. We therefore urge action to address the dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Let me conclude by reiterating our call for meaningful steps to be taken towards the immediate cessation of the hostilities and for parties to the conflict to engage constructively in good faith in order to find a political and diplomatic solution, as envisaged in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations. We reiterate our call for the full respect of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. The Ukraine crisis has continued for almost two years. Recently, attacks with severe consequences have occurred from time, causing mass casualties among innocent civilians and damaging and destroying large infrastructure in many locations, much to China’s apprehension and distress. China repeats its call for the parties to the conflict to show calm and restraint, scrupulously respect international law and international humanitarian law and abide by the principles of necessity, distinction and proportionality in order to keep civilians and civilian objects safe in good faith. There is no military solution to the Ukraine crisis. In order to put an end to the crisis once and for all, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the other parties concerned need to subscribe to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and strive to build a security architecture that is balanced, effective and sustainable. We urge the parties to respond positively to the call of the international community, increase their engagement, resume talks and build consensus step by step in order to extinguish the flames of war as soon as possible. The international community should encourage moves towards peace, make great efforts to facilitate talks and pave the way for a political solution. China supports the enhanced assistance of the international community and humanitarian agencies to help tide over the affected populations in these hard times, improve the humanitarian situation on the ground and head off a colossal humanitarian calamity. China’s position on the Ukraine issue remains unchanged. As always, we stand on the side of peace and dialogue. We are consistently committed to encouraging and facilitating peace talks to end hostilities. We remain open to communicating with the parties concerned and to contributing constructively to a political solution to the crisis.

We thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing, and we welcome the representative of Ukraine to the Chamber for this meeting. The United Kingdom deeply regrets all loss of life in this war, wherever it occurs. But perhaps we should start with a few facts that Russia tries to hide from the world and from its own people. In the 700 days since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine began, many thousands of people have been killed or injured at the hands of Russian forces. Russia has carried out relentless attacks on civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals and places of worship. Russian forces are reported to be responsible for large-scale atrocities, including torture, sexual violence, forced deportations and summary executions. In the process, staggering numbers of Russian soldiers have themselves been killed, and Russian families have been left bereaved. It is the Russian Government alone that is responsible for the death and suffering caused by this war. No amount of disinformation can obscure the very basic fact that it was Russia which invaded Ukraine, unprovoked and in clear violation of the United Nations Charter. It is a war that President Putin refuses to end, despite all the damage it has done to Russia’s standing in the world, and despite the enormous numbers of Russian men and women who have been killed. He has instead chosen to double down on an imperialist fantasy. Russian strikes continue to rain down on Ukraine, using weapons procured from Kim Jong Un in violation of Security Council resolutions. When Russia comes to the Council, intent on disseminating its propaganda, let us instead all remember who is responsible for this war and its terrible human cost, who continues to trample all over the principles of this Organization and who has the power to immediately bring this war to an end. And when Russia campaigns to undermine the supply of Western weapons, as it does again today, let us instead be proud to stand resolutely with Ukraine in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The quickest path to peace is for President Putin to end his illegal invasion. We repeat our call for Russia to respect the United Nations Charter and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Guyana. I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for the update provided. We are saddened to hear of the reports of even more civilian deaths in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, including recently in Kherson, and the occupied territory of Luhansk. Guyana reiterates its call for an immediate end to this war and a return to diplomacy. We deplore the threat or use of force in the conduct of international relations and urge a peaceful resolution of the conflict, in consonance with the rule of international law and the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. We are alarmed by reports that shelling has intensified in recent days, with critical infrastructure being targeted, often intentionally so, and call on the parties to fulfil their legal obligations to protect civilian infrastructure and avoid further civilian suffering and loss of life. We are also profoundly concerned about the continuous atrocities being committed in this war, resulting in grave human rights and humanitarian crises with long-term, detrimental impacts on the lives, safety and well-being of civilians. Even more concerning is the continuing deterioration of all aspects of the situation of women and children across Ukraine. UNICEF has reported that there are over 4 million children in need in Ukraine. They continue to face heightened risks of death, disease, family separation and violence, including gender-based violence, and trafficking. Guyana demands that the parties uphold their obligations to protect children and calls for an end to attacks on infrastructure that is critical for their well-being, including schools, hospitals and energy, water and sanitation systems. Guyana continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We support all efforts to bring a speedy resolution to this conflict and cease the threat to international peace and security. I now resume my functions as the President of the Council. The representative of the Russian Federation has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

Today we heard cynical statements that we would not be sitting here if Russia had not started this war. No, if we had not started our special military operation, tragedies such as the one in Lysychansk would continue to happen every day, and that is exactly what was happening practically every day for eight years until 2022. Unfortunately, the Council did not notice it back then. We came to put an end to that war, and we certainly will. To my colleague from the United Kingdom, I wish to say the following: it is his former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who in April 2022 rushed to Kyiv at a time when the agreement between Russia and Ukraine was almost ready and just needed to be finalized. He rushed to Kyiv and told his puppets there to continue the war against Russia. It was his former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who is complicit in the crimes of the Kyiv regime, and who is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of young Ukrainians on the battlefield. Their lives could have been spared if that agreement had been signed — and had the United Kingdom representative’s British and American colleagues not prevented it. In response to the emotional statement made by the Permanent Representative of France, I should like to stress that deaths are always a tragedy. However, we are surprised by the hypocritical position of our French colleagues, who separate civilians into those whose killing they condemn and those whose extermination they ignore. Outraged by the deaths of their compatriots, French representatives cynically ignore the fact that the weapons they ship are intentionally being used by the Kyiv regime to kill civilians in Russian cities. Paris has even tried to justify such atrocities with the “right to self-defence”, essentially justifying acts of terrorism. We see the persistence with which the French leadership refuses to recognize the fateful role that Paris, together with other Western capitals, played back in 2014 in causing the crisis. They condoned the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv, which for eight years was killing its own citizens in Donbas. It is France’s former President who admitted that the Minsk agreements were not meant to be implemented. Rather, they were intended to create a pause in order for Kyiv to rearm itself. What can one therefore say of the contribution that France is making today when it comes to maintaining the criminal band in Kyiv, including supplying lethal weapons to Kyiv on a massive scale and training Ukrainian soldiers? We have repeatedly said that France’s growing involvement in the Ukraine conflict is not only drawing it out and leading to its further escalation, but it also threatens the lives of French citizens who, imbued with anti-Russian propaganda, are  — with the tacit agreement of the authorities — going to the front lines as mercenaries or volunteers. I hope that what has taken place will lead the French public to consider whether the counterproductive and dangerous line taken by its leadership with regard the conflict in Ukraine is justified.

The representative of the United Kingdom has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

I will not be long. I just need to respond to the story that the Russian delegation likes to put out about Boris Johnson going to Kyiv and talking Ukrainians out of negotiations with the Russian side. Let me just say one thing: I think that story says a lot about Russia’s approach to Ukraine’s sovereignty. It says that Russia does not believe that Ukraine can make sovereign decisions about the defence of its own country.

The representative of France has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

I would like to very briefly respond. First, contrary to what was just said, France honours the memory of all victims of this conflict, whomever they may be. There have been hundreds of thousands of victims in this war, which was based on nothing at all and could end from one day to the next. We do not need to have hundreds of thousands more victims or the holding of meetings every week to honour new victims. The day when Russia stops this war is the day when there will cease to be victims. Every disaster is a tragedy, and it is time for this to end. With regard to what was said about the period prior to what has modestly been referred to as the “special military operation” — the name for an attack qualified as a violation of the Charter of the United Nations, I will say this: it is false. From 2014 to 2019, I had the privilege of being a negotiator for the Minsk agreements and their implementation. Through that entire period, there was an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mechanism on the ground that verified the level of violence. Nobody can say that there was no violence in the Donbas region in that period, but the large-scale massacres and bombardments that we are seeing today are clearly in no way comparable to the few sporadic incidents that occurred in that period. Lastly, to respond to the recurring accusation of Nazism in Ukraine, I would just like to recall that, in that region, the only one to be allied with the Nazis was Molotov, and the only one to evoke the Nazis was the founder of the Wagner Group.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine.

I recognize the representative of Putin’s regime in the permanent seat of the Soviet Union. The boundless cynicism of this regime, which persists in inventing new allegations against the country it has fiercely attacked, is astounding. I am grateful to all Security Council members who recalled today that there would be no scourge of war if Russia had not started its aggression against Ukraine, in particular its full-scale invasion almost two years ago. Therefore, if Putin’s envoy would like to elaborate on responsibility for the bloodshed, there is no need for a Council meeting. He can just stand in front of the mirror, either in his residence or in the Russian Mission. Of course, picking up the phone and calling the Kremlin would be a much better option, but I will not even suggest it, as that step would require a certain level of bravery and strong moral principles. Russian diplomacy lacks both, and it will never summon enough courage to remind Putin of a simple fact: it was his decision to start the war of aggression against Ukraine, and he could choose to end the hostilities by withdrawing the Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine. Despite Russia’s intentions to misuse the Security Council platform to disseminate fakes, this meeting provides us with a good opportunity to reiterate that the Ukrainian city of Lysychansk, in the Luhansk region, has been under Russian occupation since July 2022 and awaits liberation. As with many other Ukrainian cities and villages, the Russian assault on Lysychansk was marked with horrendous war crimes and crimes against humanity. For instance, on 27 June 2022, eight civilians, including one child, were killed by a Russian rocket artillery strike while waiting in line for water on a street in Lysychansk. The notorious footage, which many members may have seen, posted by Russian propaganda channels at the end of July 2022, showing a captured Ukrainian serviceman being castrated and tortured to death by a group of Russians, was also filmed in the vicinity of Lysychansk. We remember those and all other victims of the Russian aggression, among whom are humanitarian workers, including foreign nationals. The aggression has been  — and remains — the only root cause of all war-related human suffering and devastation in Ukraine and beyond. We reiterate that the terror against Ukrainian civilians has been a Russian hallmark since the very beginning of the war and continues unabated on a daily basis. Last night, a Russian S-300 missile struck a hotel building in the town of Zolochiv, in the Kharkiv region, killing two people, including a 2-month-old infant. The city of Kherson continues to face relentless artillery and missile strikes from the Russian forces almost every day. Just yesterday, four local residents were killed in the city centre by Russian shells. The border areas of the Sumy region, in the north of Ukraine and far from the front line, remain under the constant threat of Russian subversive activities and shelling from Russian territory. Yesterday 10 local municipalities were shelled by Russian heavy artillery, mortars, grenade launchers and kamikaze drones. Civilians were killed and wounded as a result of those strikes. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo just spoke of those Russian attacks. We remain committed to ensuring that Russia pays for its crimes. We also reiterate that the Russian Federation should make the only just decision and cease its aggression, as outlined by the General Assembly resolution of 23 February 2023, entitled “Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine” (General Assembly resolution ES-11/6). As soon as Russia’s bloody war is over, there will be no more human suffering and no more civilian casualties in Europe.