S/PV.9578 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Estonia, Italy, Poland, Romania and 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. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I also invite His Excellency Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, 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: The principle of respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of States is the cornerstone of our collective security. Any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. Yet that is what the Russian Federation has attempted in Ukraine, causing, in the process, unspeakable suffering and destruction. This bears repeating, as tomorrow will mark 10 years since the unlawful attempt by the Russian Federation to annex the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol through a so-called referendum. The position of the United Nations on the status of Crimea is guided by General Assembly resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine of 27 March 2014 (resolution 68/262). That resolution states that Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, is invalid and unrecognized by the international community. Also, it has been more than a year since the Russian Federation’s equally unlawful effort to annex the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine in September 2022. Just days later, on 12 October 2022, the General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the resolution entitled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations” (resolution ES-11/4). The resolution unequivocally condemns Russia’s organization of illegal referendums within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and its attempted annexation of those regions of Ukraine. It also declared that those actions “have no validity under international law and do not form the basis for any alteration of the status of these regions of Ukraine” (General Assembly resolution ES-11/4, para. 3). In that context, Russia’s intention to conduct presidential elections from today 15 March until 17 March in areas of Ukraine under its control are unacceptable. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine has documented that past so-called referendums and local elections have been conducted in a coercive environment. Under international humanitarian law, the occupying Power  — in this case, the Russian Federation — is obligated to uphold the laws of Ukraine in the occupied territories. International humanitarian law also prohibits indiscriminate attacks and attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. But since February 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has verified 10,703 civilians, including 594 children, killed; 20,146 more civilians, including 1,316 children, have been injured. The actual toll is very likely much higher. Since our last briefing to the Council only a week ago (see S/PV.9570), Russian strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure have continued unabated. On 12 March, five people were reportedly killed and nearly 50 injured, including several children, in a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. In Odesa, Russian drone and missile strikes have continued. This morning, 20 people were reportedly killed, and 73 injured, in a Russian missile strike in the city. Two of the killed were first responders who died after a second strike hit the location where they had rushed to help the victims. Attacks have also continued to damage civilian infrastructure in Odesa, with 25 drones reportedly targeting the city in just one overnight attack on Monday. Less visible is the traumatizing effect of living in constant fear of sudden violent death, injury or loss. The mental scars left by such dread on countless Ukrainians may take generations to heal. The war in Ukraine has awakened another kind of fear, one that haunts us all. The International Atomic Energy Agency continues to report explosions and other indications of military activity near the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. We again stress the imperative of ensuring the integrity, safety and security of all nuclear sites. In that context, we reiterate that there is no excuse for irresponsible or inflammatory nuclear rhetoric that fans the risk of further escalation. As highlighted last week by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains dire amid the intensification of aerial assaults by Russian forces. The most vulnerable, including internally displaced persons and those residing in front-line communities, are in urgent need of assistance. Sustaining the donor support to the United Nations humanitarian response plan is imperative to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict. Despite our persistent efforts, humanitarian access to the Russian-occupied territories remains restricted, raising grave concerns for the well-being of civilians residing in those areas. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine has been on the ground for 10 years to monitor and report on human rights violations, including in occupied Crimea. In Crimea, OHCHR has consistently reported on the unlawful imposition of Russian citizenship and laws, intimidation and pressure to participate in illegal electoral processes, the suppression of freedom of expression and religion and other human rights violations. Similar patterns of violations are emerging in the occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya. Since December 2023, our human rights colleagues have recorded a disturbing increase in reports of allegations of extrajudicial executions of prisoners of war by Russian forces. As of today, OHCHR has verified three cases of execution of seven Ukrainian prisoners, while an additional nine cases of alleged executions involving at least 25 Ukrainian prisoners of war are still being verified. OHCHR has also documented a pattern of arbitrary detentions and possible enforced disappearance of local officials, journalists, civil society activists and other civilians at the hands of Russian armed forces in occupied areas of Ukraine. A new report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which was published today, provides additional information on the Commission’s previous findings that torture against civilians by Russian authorities in Ukraine and in the Russian Federation has been widespread and systematic. Victims’ accounts disclose relentless, brutal treatment inflicting severe pain and suffering during prolonged detention, with blatant disregard for human dignity. That has led to long-lasting physical and mental trauma. All perpetrators of such egregious violations must be held accountable. We will support efforts to that end by continuing to record those cases and to implore the Russian Federation to facilitate access to all detainees. As the war is now in its third year, peace continues to elude us. The rising toll of the war on the people of Ukraine is undeniable. Furthermore, as reiterated during the ongoing sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, conflicts worldwide, including in Ukraine, have an acute impact on the lives of women. Women constitute the vast majority of the 6.2 million people forced to flee their homes during the war, which jeopardizes the strides made toward gender equality and exacerbates existing inequalities. Despite immense obstacles, Ukrainian women have been at the forefront of humanitarian initiatives. Women-led civil society groups were among the earliest responders to the full-scale invasion. It is crucial to recognize the essential role Ukrainian women must assume in the long process to recovery and a peaceful future of Ukraine. The pursuit of peace must be our foremost priority, guided by the Charter of the United Nations, international law and General Assembly resolutions. The Secretary- General’s remarks to the Council on 23 February (see S/PV.9557) aptly underscored the imperative of recommitting to those fundamental principles to achieve just, lasting and comprehensive 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.

I want to thank Under- Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her comprehensive briefing. Let me focus on three messages on today’s topic. First, let me start with an undisputed fact. That is that these days Russia is organizing presidential elections not just on its own territory, but also on the territory of another sovereign member of the United Nations against the will of that country. Slovenia denounces the attempted illegal annexation and subsequent holding of Russian elections on Ukrainian territory. Russia calls the parts of Ukraine it has seized the “new territories”. That reflects a colonial logic of an age long past. Annexation amounts to an act of aggression. It is forbidden by international law and goes against the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Secondly, what is the outlook for peace in Ukraine in the context of those elections? We have serious doubts with regard to the sincerity of the Russian claims of openness to peace talks. Holding elections in the illegally seized territories does not signal readiness for diplomacy. It rather demonstrates an intention to continue to pursue its agenda with military might. Its renewed nuclear weapons rhetoric is worrisome and simply unacceptable under any circumstances. Peace needs to come to Ukraine, and we have hopes that a peace process will materialize soon. We call on Russia to cease its belligerent narrative and demonstrate that it really wants peace. Thirdly, speaking of elections where they can be legally held — that is, in the internationally recognized territory of Russia — we are disappointed that, contrary to its commitments as an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe participating State, for the first time Russia decided not to invite OSCE observers to its presidential elections. We regret that the country’s voters will be deprived of that instrument of an impartial and independent assessment of their elections.

Let me start by thanking Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo for briefing us on the current situation in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territory and Ukraine, which called for and is here for this critical meeting. I want to start by condemning Russia’s devastating missile attacks on Odesa today, which left at least 14 people dead and dozens more wounded. This violence is unconscionable, and it is inextricably linked with the matter we are here to discuss — sham presidential elections in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories. For those who have questions about Russia’s intentions in Ukraine, there is an old saying some may have heard: “Once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence and three times is a pattern.” I would not exactly describe Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine, purported annexation of Crimea and sham referendum a fluke. Nor do I believe that the sham Russian presidential elections held there four years later is a coincidence. Both of those illegitimate acts were cynical attempts by the Kremlin to legitimize Putin’s illegal attempt at a land grab. But today, as early voting for the Russian elections enters its final days, this much is clear: Russia’s tactics of holding sham elections in Ukraine’s occupied territory is, in fact, a pattern. As we speak, Russia’s Central Election Commission continues to conduct presidential elections, not only in the Russian Federation, but throughout the parts of sovereign Ukraine that it occupies and has purported to annex — Zaporizhzhya Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Crimea. Let us call this what it is  — a blatant propaganda exercise undertaken in the hopes of, somehow, strengthening Russia’s false claim to the parts of Ukraine it illegally invaded. To hold Russian elections in Ukraine’s sovereign territory is proof of the tie between the Kremlin’s external aggression and internal repression. It is an affront to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which underpin global security and stability, and it demonstrates the Kremlin’s disregard for this institution and for international law, further proving that Russia has little intention of seeking a peace settlement based on United Nations Charter principles. Now, two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and 10 years after its initial invasion of Crimea, we must continue to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty. United Nations Members need not agree on everything to stand together and stand up for a simple tenet — holding elections in another sovereign United Nations Member State’s territory without its consent is in manifest disregard for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any country that purports to defend those principles must not be silent now. For our part, the United States has sanctioned several individuals for acts supporting Russia’s war, including those involved in the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. We, along with other partners, have imposed sanctions on those responsible for the death of Alexei Navalny, including the prison warden, regional prison head and deputy director of the Federal Penitentiary Service in Russia. We now call on the international community to join us in imposing costs on those responsible for organizing and holding these sham elections in Russian- occupied parts of Ukraine. We also call on so-called election observers to resist exploitation and refrain from legitimizing this process. The United States is not aware of any internationally respected election observation organization planning to oversee these elections. Anyone propped up by the Kremlin to lend a flimsy veneer of legitimacy is simply a pawn in their game. The United States will never recognize the Russian Federation’s claim to any of Ukraine’s sovereign territory, and we unequivocally condemn Russia’s continued occupation of part of Ukraine. Now it is critical that we continue to stand together in support of the United Nations Charter and against Russia’s territorial ambitions and efforts to redraw borders by force. It is critical that we continue to call for accountability for the atrocities and the abuses committed by Russian officials in Ukraine. It is critical that we continue to seek justice for victims — not only as a moral imperative, but as a strategic one — furthering deterrence and respect for the rule of law in future. Finally, it is critical that we continue to condemn the sham election in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territory for what it is — one in a pattern of failed attempts to justify the unjustifiable.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. It has been more than two years since the breakout of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the total escalation of the Ukraine crisis. In the course of more than two years, we have seen too much misery and too many human tragedies unfolding. In this very Chamber, we have also heard too much grief and pain, appeals and persuasion and heated debate. The ongoing fighting continues to contribute to the risk of spillover. Every day of conflict adds one more element of risk to the world. Holding peace talks one day earlier means one day sooner for peace. Peace is a matter of the utmost urgency, as well as a public expectation. On the question of Ukraine, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, that the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations be upheld, that the legitimate security concerns of all countries be taken into account and that all efforts conducive to a political resolution of the crisis be supported. We once again call on the parties to the conflict to demonstrate political will, move towards each other, build consensus, cease fighting and start peace talks at an early date. We call on the international community to step up its diplomatic efforts to create conditions for de-escalating the situation and achieving a political settlement. China has always maintained an objective and impartial position and has participated in promoting peace and negotiations. Recently, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs visited Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, Poland, Germany, and France, where he engaged in an in-depth exchange of views with relevant parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, carried out shuttle mediation and relayed messages and information. We support the holding, in due course, of an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine and ensures the equal participation of all parties in a full discussion of all peace plans. China is ready to provide the necessary conditions for Russia and Ukraine to engage in negotiations and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the crisis.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this briefing. Let me also thank Under- Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her valuable information and briefing. I welcome the participation of the representative of Ukraine in this meeting. As we convene in another deliberative meeting on the conflict in Ukraine, Sierra Leone makes the point of reiterating our call for the full respect of the Charter of the United Nations, its principles, including the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States, in this case, Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders. In that regard, we express serious concern regarding the decision to hold an external electoral exercise, scheduled for 15 to 17 March in the annexed regions within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. We are of the firm view that such actions are not in keeping with the principles of the United Nations Charter  — in particular, the principle espoused by Article 2, paragraph 4 — and have serious implications on the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. On 29 September 2022, the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine were unilaterally declared part of the Russian Federation after the conduct of disputed referendums. In that regard, we wish to recall General Assembly resolution ES‑11/4, which notes that “the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine are areas that, in part, are or have been under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation, as a result of aggression, in violation of the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine” (General Assembly resolution ES-11/4, fourth preambular paragraph). We also take note of previous General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 68/262, which also addresses the referendum held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and calls for non-recognition of any alteration of their status on the basis of the referendum. In adopting the Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations  — in its resolution of 24 October 1970 — the General Assembly reaffirmed and restated the customary international law principles that “the territory of a State shall not be the object of acquisition by another State resulting from the threat or use of force” (General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV), para. 1) and that “any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of a State or country or at its political independence is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter” (ibid., fifteenth preambular paragraph). In that context, we also recall Security Council resolution 2202 (2015), in which the Council reaffirmed its full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Premised on that, Sierra Leone agrees and aligns itself with the Secretary- General’s statement of 29 September 2022, in which he recalled that any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Sierra Leone firmly believes in upholding the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, particularly those related to respecting the territorial integrity and political independence of all Member States. It calls for full respect for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and that includes the holding of external elections in the annexed regions of Ukraine. Sierra Leone also places a high premium on the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations that stipulate that parties in a dispute are to settle such disputes by peaceful means. Accordingly, we urge the parties to make good-faith diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, while addressing the legitimate concerns of the parties to the conflict. We further urge the parties to refrain from taking actions that may reduce the chances of a diplomatic solution. Sierra Leone remains steadfast in its support for efforts that contribute to peace, stability and security in the region. Let me conclude by reiterating our call for meaningful steps to be taken towards the immediate cessation of the hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

I also thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. I welcome the participation of the delegations of Ukraine, Italy, Poland, Romania, the European Union and Estonia at today’s meeting. From the very beginning of Russia’s armed invasion of Ukraine, the international community, including my own country, has repeatedly condemned those actions and demanded the withdrawal of Russian military forces from the territory of Ukraine. When Russia illegally annexed the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson in September 2022, the General Assembly, with the support of a majority of Member States, adopted resolution ES-11/4, which declared that Russia’s annexation has no validity under international law and demanded a reversal of its decisions. However, Russia has not heeded the recurrent international calls to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the contrary, Russia has continued and expanded its brutal war against Ukraine, causing devastating consequences with indescribable human suffering — particularly for women and children in Ukraine — alongside grave global repercussions. In this troubling situation, we are now witnessing Russian presidential elections taking place in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The Republic of Korea reiterates that Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence should be respected. The principle on the prohibition of the use of force represents the beating heart of the Charter of the United Nations and has served as a fundamental norm of international law over the past seven decades. Indeed, as the prominent international lawyer Louis Henkin presciently pointed out more than fifty years ago, we have every reason to keep alive that precious principle at all costs. He argued that that principle serves national interests and thereby has deterring effects against major wars among countries. And the importance of upholding that principle was particularly underscored when the United Nations and the international community responded firmly to the armed aggression by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea against the Republic of Korea in 1950. Needless to say, the role of the permanent members of the Security Council  — as the ultimate guardians of international peace and security  — is critical in defending that golden rule. Tragically, in addition to breaching the Charter of the United Nations, Russia’s illegal invasion has dealt a serious blow to other fundamental values that the international community has been upholding. The war it is waging against Ukraine has caused continuing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. In its war of aggression, Russia has even procured weapons from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including ballistic missiles  — in clear violation of multiple Security Council resolutions, undermining the global non-proliferation regime. International law and the Charter of the United Nations constitute our last bastion to ensure the maintenance of international peace and security, which is something Russia also benefits from. In that regard, my delegation once again urges Russia to live up to its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council by promptly withdrawing its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. If successful, any attempts to change international borders by force will have cascading effects, prompting similar attempts everywhere else  — thus enabling might to prevail over justice. The Republic of Korea, which has a proud history of both defending and rebuilding its nation alongside the United Nations, will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people in their noble endeavours to establish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace within their territories, in line with the Charter of the United Nations.

I thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary- General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, for her briefing. International law is clear about the illegitimacy of holding elections in militarily occupied territories. Ecuador calls for avoiding actions that could negatively affect the already tense situation in the region and weaken international efforts to find a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the conflict. It is worth recalling that, on 12 October 2022, the international community already spoke with a strong and unified voice through General Assembly resolution ES-11/4, attesting to the global consensus on the illegitimacy of the referendums held on Ukrainian territory. In that regard, it has been worrisome to learn that the Russian authorities have decided to hold presidential elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson. Since its founding as a republic, Ecuador has rejected and condemned the use of force by one State against another. In line with the principles of its foreign policy and honouring its peaceful approach, it does not recognize the acquisition of territories by force. That position of principle is, and will remain, unwavering. Ecuador also firmly believes that disputes should be resolved by peaceful means, using the mechanisms established by the Organization’s founding Charter. The crisis in Ukraine persists, and tensions in the region continue to escalate, making the need to act decisively increasingly evident. Ecuador reiterates its call for Russia to immediately suspend its military operations and insists on the need for the Council to prioritize the effective use of the mediation mechanisms available under the Charter of the United Nations so as to facilitate a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace. Given its complexity, the situation in Ukraine does not allow for simplistic solutions. Despite the obstacles and complexities, we must not lose hope of finding a just and lasting peace, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations. In its capacity as the primary custodian of international peace and security, the Council must work towards that end.

We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this briefing. We also thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her update. Free and fair elections are indeed the cornerstone of any democratic system, allowing citizens to exercise their fundamental human rights to choose their own leaders and have a voice in how they are governed. Those are commonly accepted international principles, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights instruments. While the act of holding elections within a country is a domestic affair, its implications extend far beyond national borders. Understanding the broader context and ensuring fair and transparent processes are equally vital. The current context is crystal clear: the level of conflict between Russia and Ukraine is at the highest possible point, posing a serious threat to local, regional and international peace and security. As we have consistently recalled, international efforts are crucial to prevent further escalation and protect civilian lives. This is happening against consistent and repeated calls from various actors, including Security Council members, for the cessation of hostilities. Based on our own experience in Mozambique, we were adamant from the outset of the conflict that there can be no military solution. That holds true after more than two years of conflict. As we can see, the global impacts of this war continue to intensify, worsening multiple crises related to food insecurity, energy access and more. Its consequences transcend borders and threaten our collective security. We call on the parties to immediately cease all military operations and engage in good-faith diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict peacefully in line with the Charter of the United Nations. Let us explore all available avenues, including those enshrined in the Charter, to build confidence and lay the groundwork for direct, constructive and results-oriented dialogue. The Council has a moral obligation to uphold its founding purpose of preventing and removing threats to international peace and security. Inaction is not an option  — we must intensify our efforts through all available means to facilitate a resolution to this conflict in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Dialogue between the contending parties is possible. Let us build upon that foundation and seek paths towards mutual understanding. In that spirit of determined diplomacy, we once again urge the parties to reconsider their choices and to opt for the path of dialogue and diplomacy before more lives are tragically lost.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. The Charter of the United Nations calls on us all to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. It also establishes the imperative of refraining from the use of force. Those principles are indispensable pillars of the international order and are supposed to promote peaceful relations between States. Any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force constitutes a violation of those fundamental principles of international law. The situation in Ukraine is a stark reminder of the repercussions of failing to respect those principles. Ten years have passed since the so-called referendum in Crimea and a year and a half since Russia repeated this illegal action in the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya, while the war was raging and continues to rage, as we have sadly had to witness again today in Odesa, and I would like to take this opportunity to share my sincere condolences with the victims’ families and the Government of Ukraine. The annexation of Ukrainian territories declared by Russia following these votes is a serious violation of international law, particularly the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We insist that these regions are, and will remain, an integral part of Ukraine. Switzerland reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Switzerland condemns Russia’s decision to organize so-called presidential elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which are taking place at this very moment. The holding of these so-called elections in occupied territory is a violation of international law, and the results have no legitimacy whatsoever. Switzerland will not recognize either the results of the so-called elections in Ukrainian territories or the incorporation of Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation. We also urge Russia to immediately cease all hostilities and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory. Along with a large majority of the General Assembly, Switzerland supported resolution ES-11/4, on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The resolution calls on all States and international organizations to refrain from recognizing any change by Russia to the status of Ukrainian territories and from any action that could be interpreted as such recognition. That appeal is particularly important at this time. As long as those territories remain under occupation, Russia is obliged to respect its obligations as an occupying Power under international humanitarian law. It is required, in particular, to respect the existing Ukrainian legal order. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing failure to comply with those obligations and about the recurrent, serious and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law as highlighted in the most recent report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the 10-year occupation of Crimea. We commend the work of the Commission of Inquiry and the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine. We reiterate that strict respect for international humanitarian law and human rights is imperative at all times. That includes the obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid to civilians in need, including in occupied areas. To conclude, I underline that the organization of so-called electoral processes in the occupied areas of Ukraine further undermines the prospects for peace. What we need are decisive steps towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. My country remains fully committed to achieving that goal.

I also thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo for her comprehensive briefing. As we have stated before, Malta deplores Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We recall that the General Assembly condemned the organization by the Russian Federation of illegal so-called referendums and the attempted illegal annexation of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine in 2022. Similarly, as from 2014, the General Assembly called on States not to recognize any alteration of the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Russia’s planned presidential elections in those regions this weekend and the reported mail voting processes taking place in some areas since 25 February further manifest that violation of international law. We reiterate our call on Russia to respect the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to reverse those illegal plans. Holding such elections grossly violates the Constitution and legislation of Ukraine. They have no validity under international law and do not form the basis of any alteration of the status of Ukraine’s territories. We will not recognize either the holding of those so-called elections or their results. There have also been reports of Russian officials carrying ballot boxes from house to house in Zaporizhzhya, implementing intimidation tactics and pressuring Ukrainians who have not done so to take up Russian citizenship. We condemn those acts, including illegal referendums, illegal population censuses, forcible change of the demographic structure of the population and the eradication of national identity. We deplore the loss of life and suffering, especially in the temporarily occupied territories. The inhabitants of those regions have been subjected to violations of their human rights and basic freedoms. International monitoring mechanisms, such as the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, have confirmed Russia’s breaches of international humanitarian law and international human rights law inside Ukraine. Those violations encompass attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, systematic summary executions, instances of torture and ill-treatment, inhumane detention conditions, cases of rape, sexual and gender-based violence, and the forced transfer and deportation of children. All are unacceptable. We recall our demand to the Russian Federation to comply with its obligations as an occupying Power under international humanitarian law. Lastly, Malta expresses its determination to continue working together within the International Crimea Platform to address the challenges stemming from Russia’s temporary occupation of Crimea. We recognize the need to continue implementing the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexations by Russia. We cannot accept a world where those principles and rules are violated with impunity. We cannot accept a world in which might is right. We cannot accept a world in which nuclear threats are the norm. We support Ukraine in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence and to regain full control of all occupied territories within its internationally recognized borders. The only path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is for Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I would like to thank Ms. DiCarlo for her presentation. Russia is once again organizing pseudo-elections in the territories it illegally occupies in Ukraine. It is a farce, just like the pseudo-elections last October and the sham referendums in September 2022. It is once again seeking to give a semblance of legitimacy to its attempts at illegal annexation. That manoeuvre will not change the reality: the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya, like the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, are an integral part of Ukraine. France condemns Russia’s illegal organization of elections in those territories. The elections illegally organized by the occupying Power do not represent the expression of the free will of the Ukrainian people. On 12 October 2022, the General Assembly condemned the “organization by the Russian Federation of illegal so-called referendums in regions within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine and the attempted illegal annexation of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine” (General Assembly resolution ES-11/4, para. 2). In 2014, the General Assembly had already decided that the referendums organized by Russia in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol were not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of that region. The United Nations has spoken out to reject those sham elections, organized against the will of the legitimate authorities in Kyiv, and those illegal attempts at annexation. Let us be clear: this is yet another flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations by Russia, yet another example of its contempt for the fundamental principles in which we believe, notably the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. We will never resign ourselves to Russia changing the status of Ukrainian regions, whether by pseudo- legal tricks or by force, through arbitrary detention, torture, deportations, mass forced distribution of Russian passports, “filtration”, imposition of Russian law, media, education system, language and currency. France will continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to ensure that its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected, for as long as is necessary.

I thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, for her valuable briefing. First and foremost, I would like to confirm Algeria’s strong and permanent commitment to the rules of international law and to the fundamental purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, with no exception. Algeria also calls upon the Council and the international community as a whole to shoulder their primary responsibilities by continuously upholding those rules, purposes and principles, as well as by applying them to all cases without discrimination, bias or double standards. From this Chamber we have repeatedly called on the parties to the conflict to avoid confrontation and tension and to prioritize de-escalation, patience and calm. We have also encouraged them to engage in a genuine, comprehensive and constructive dialogue to arrive at a permanent and peaceful solution to the conflict. Moreover, we have warned that polarization, which looms over many international cases, especially the case of Ukraine, in no way helps to find solutions; rather, it makes matters even more complicated. That could lead to repercussions that are difficult to predict and manage. Dialogue alone can help us make progress towards a peaceful solution to the conflict. Escalation has proven its futility, so let us give peace and dialogue a chance and let us give the Council an opportunity to undertake its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Let us redouble our diplomatic efforts to expedite a resolution of the crisis and achieve a just and lasting peace, bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter and the legitimate security concerns of all parties.

I thank Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. I must first address the latest appalling Russian missile strikes on Odesa today — an apparent double-tap strike designed to inflict maximum human casualties and target first responders. Ukrainians are not only mourning the 16 civilians who have lost their lives in Odesa. Today Ukrainian civilians in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya and Crimea are being forced and intimidated into taking part in a sham election. As the General Assembly has made clear, including in October 2022 when 143 States voted to condemn Russia’s attempted illegal annexation (see A/ES-11/PV.14), those regions are part of the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. The people in those territories voted overwhelming to join an independent Ukraine in 1991. There is no popular support for Russian rule  — historically or today. Yet Russia continues to defy the calls of United Nations Member States and the Ukrainian people, pressing ahead with its attempt to consolidate its illegal control. Alarming reports have emerged of officials, accompanied by troops, carrying ballot boxes from door to door, all part of Russia’s effort to cultivate a climate of fear and coercion. As the International Independent Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has reported today, there is overwhelming evidence that Russian forces have carried out large-scale atrocities in territories under its control since 2022. That includes arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence against civilians. And Russia does not allow the United Nations or humanitarian agencies meaningful access to support the millions of Ukrainians living in those areas. Yet ordinary Ukrainians continue to demonstrate true bravery by standing strong and resisting Russian oppres­ sion. In the past weeks, there has been a surge of demon­ strations of resistance. In response, Russia has sent more of its national guard into those areas to stifle dissent. The elections are a sham because of a simple truth: one cannot hold legitimate elections in someone else’s country. The elections are a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and a fraud, nothing more. They will not be recognized, just as we will never recognize Russia’s attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory. Therefore, I call on Russia to respect the call of United Nations Member States and immediately halt the elections on sovereign Ukrainian territory, end its aggression against Ukraine and adhere to all its international commitments in full. The United Kingdom will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to secure a just and lasting peace, in line with the Charter of the United Nations.

I thank Under- Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing and welcome the participation of the representative of Ukraine in today’s meeting. Guyana was among the United Nations Member States that voted in favour of General Assembly resolution ES-11/4 two years ago. In adopting the resolution, Member States declared that the attempted annexation of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine was invalid and illegal under international law. We demanded then, as we continue to do now, that the Russian Federation cease its military operation in Ukraine and immediately withdraw its forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Our affirmative vote for that resolution two years ago was a vote to uphold the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. One such principle is that of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. As set out in the Charter of the United Nations, that basic principle  — just six words  — is the bedrock of international law and is fundamental to global peace and stability. By ratifying the Charter of the United Nations and the instruments that make up the international legal regime, we, the United Nations Member States, consent to and accept their claim of authority and to be bound by them. Every United Nations Member State therefore has an obligation to abide by the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the wider body of international law, and is subject to them, must apply them in their international relations and is equal before them. In that vein, Guyana deplores any action that contravenes those basic tenets of international law, including the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. We also reject any unilateral proclamation of sovereignty by one State over the territory of another State and call for full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Guyana is extremely concerned about the elections organized on Ukraine’s territory without the consent of its elected Government and conducted by a foreign Government. Such actions are inconsistent with the norms and principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations and are therefore illegal. The war has brought only unimaginable suffering and trauma for generations of Ukrainian and Russian citizens. We are constantly confronted with reports of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and of multiple violations being committed against women and children. Parties must fully comply with their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law. The war must end now. Prolonging the war only exacerbates the risks and consequences for all concerned and further threatens international peace and security. Guyana therefore stresses the urgency of resolving the conflict through peaceful means. We urge the Council to work together to pave a path towards peace and to put an end to the suffering in Ukraine. Guyana is prepared to do its part to advance that objective.

Before I begin my statement, I would like to put on record our principled disagreement with the approach adopted by the Japanese presidency in connection with the invitation extended to delegations to participate in this meeting in accordance with rules 37 and 39. There are six delegations, which is clearly excessive for a briefing, which, unlike an open debate which involves a wide range of participants, is intended to be a focused discussion. We have already said repeatedly that the practice of turning the Security Council Chamber into a place where non-members of the Council can have their moment of fame on their national news is nefarious and undermines the authority of the Security Council. As practice has shown, there is no added value in the statements by the members of the European Union (EU) to our discussion. They are copy-pasted statements that reflect the overall position of the European Union and NATO. We see no point in the participation of individual EU members in addition to the representative of Brussels. That is a waste of time and of our limited interpretation and conference services resources, which are already in short supply for far more important discussions. We regret that the Japanese presidency, which claims to be an uncompromising advocate of the Security Council’s rules of procedure, is seriously undermining the established working methods of the Council. Today we heard, and will probably continue to hear more anti-Russian philippics in connection with the developments in Ukraine. Clearly, our Western colleagues convene these meetings in order to let off steam and show to the public that the Security Council remains focused on the question of Ukraine. At the same time, the algorithm of the allegations levelled against us has not changed: the consequences of shoddy Ukrainian air defence systems are presented as the results of our high-precision strikes against military- related facilities of the Kyiv regime. Since air defence is deployed in residential neighbourhoods, in violation of the basic norms of international humanitarian law, which our Western colleagues persistently ignore in the best ostrich tradition, the debris of a small fraction of our shells, as well as Ukrainian missiles that missed their target, land on residential neighbourhoods. That results in deaths and injuries among peaceful Ukrainian civilians. The people are well aware of this, and they specifically warn against the threat from the air defence systems, not Russian strikes. I would like to provide a concrete example. Today mention was made of the destruction of residential buildings in Kryvyi Rih on 12 March. One of the most popular Ukrainian Telegram channels, which are today the source of information for most Ukrainians ever since the Kyiv dictator destroyed the last remnants of independent media outlets and is force-feeding the people exclusively with a “news telemarathon”, describes it as follows: “The Office of the President has launched allegations that Russian X-series missiles hit residential buildings.” Anyone with common sense understands that such a missile would have completely destroyed the entrance of the building and would have caused far more casualties. Most likely, the missile was downed by a Ukrainian air-defence system and its wreckage fell on residential buildings. The Office of the President, as always, failed to mention that the missile was downed over the city and, only then, fell on the heads of civilians. The second multi-story building clearly shows the marks of an air-defence missile, as any expert can confirm. That is evidenced by characteristic features on the building’s walls. I tell the people to take care, as the authorities are using them for newsworthy public relation stunts. Our Western colleagues also consider those foreseeable tragedies as an opportunity for anti-Russia campaigning and will do nothing to prevent them. After saying that, I can anticipate emotional allegations against us to the effect that Russia had no right to carry out strikes against any objects in Ukrainian cities and, had it not done so, those tragedies would not have occurred. That is wrong. If no strikes are carried out against the objects related to the Kyiv regime’s military capabilities, there will be other tragedies in cities in eastern and south-eastern Ukraine, similar to those that some have preferred not to notice over the course of eight years after the anti-constitutional coup in Kyiv in 2014. Similarly, for example, yesterday’s strikes on Belgorod also went unnoticed and unmentioned in the statements made here today. Once again, those were carried out using the Czech Vampire multiple-launch rocket system. I note that the same multiple-launch rocket system was used by Ukrainian nationalists in a strike on 30 December 2023 in the same city, in which 25 people were killed. It is a pity that the is no representative of Czechia in the Chamber today, as the country bears direct responsibility for the deaths of civilians in Russian cities. The representative of Czechia has been cravenly and diligently avoiding the Chamber since the end of last year. I do hope that someone in Czechia will hold the henchmen of the Zelenskyy clique fully accountable for the atrocities perpetrated. None who supply lethal weapons to the Kyiv dictator should escape accountability. We will discuss this in further detail during a separate meeting on the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine, which we have requested for 22 March. Perhaps then our Czech colleague will summon the courage to show his face to explain to the residents of Belgorod and to his own people why Czechia is supplying Ukrainian nationalists lethal weapons, which they are deliberately using to shell peaceful cities. Let him explain it, for example, to nine-year-old Zhenya, who heroically shielded his nine-month-old sister with his body during the strikes. They were hospitalized, with serious injuries. Or let him explain it to the relatives of the three victims in Belgorod who were killed yesterday as they were driving their cars. The Kyiv regime is deliberately shelling peaceful cities in order to intimidate the people and exact revenge against those who chose to be part of the Russian Federation. This impotent bestial rage will change nothing, of course. There is at least one more reason for that. The Kyiv regime, which has been suffering defeats and losing positions and settlements one after another, seeks to distract its citizens from that awkward reality. To that end, the regime is fabricating virtual victories, such as attempts by Ukrainian special forces to breach the Belgorod oblast. However, the only victories achieved are on TikTok. In real life, from 12 to 14 March, the enemy lost 1,500 saboteurs, 500 of whom were killed. In addition, 18 tanks and 23 armoured vehicles were destroyed. Ukrainian Telegram channels also mention another reason why the Kyiv regime has had to carry out such suicidal but clamorous raids, sacrificing equipment and well-trained personnel, who are already in short supply. The fact is that the Ukrainian dictator, who usurped power and is stifling any manifestation of dissent, becomes completely illegitimate starting 21 May, pursuant to the Ukrainian constitution. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who back in the day assumed power under the slogan of being a “servant of the people”, single-handedly and in violation of the Constitution of Ukraine, cancelled the presidential elections in his country, which was to be held this spring. Today Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo said something odd. She called on us to obey Ukrainian laws in new Russian territories. Did she not think about first calling on the Zelenskyy regime to obey Ukrainian laws? I would like to put a question to our Western colleagues. They have called an entire meeting of the Security Council to criticize Russia for holding democratic elections in the territories that are administratively, politically and economically part of our country — like it or not. How would they characterize a single-handed cancellation of elections by a Head of State from the point of view of their vaunted Western democratic standards? What would they say if, for example, Joe Biden cancelled presidential elections in the United States or Emmanuel Macron were to do so in France? Or is that something we have yet to see? Strangely, our Western colleagues did not make a single comment today on the cancellation of elections in Ukraine. Likewise, they have carefully overlooked the existence of a huge number of political prisoners in that country. Apparently, that also dovetails perfectly with their standards of a “Ukrainian-style democracy”. Once again, we did not hear a word of condemnation today, not even from the representative of the United States, about the fact that the Ukrainian special services tortured an American citizen, journalist Gonzalo Lira, in a Kharkiv pretrial detention centre. It is also regrettable that Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo, while spreading blatant fakes about torture on Russian territory, was unable to summon the courage to mention the tragic death of Mr. Lira, a fellow American, by the way, due to the torture perpetrated by the Kyiv regime. Are those stories of no interest to her or to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights? But let us get back to the Ukrainian dictator. Zelenskyy has not yet figured out how to achieve the goal of clinging to power, but he has already shown that he is willing to drown the entire country in blood and sacrifice every last Ukrainian for the sake of his goal. In order to shift the focus from that very uncomfortable topic, he needs loud provocations similar to the provocation in Bucha. But given the fact that the provocative nature of the Kyiv regime is already obvious to everyone in the world, and its new “spectacles” are no longer persuading anyone, he is failing to come up with such a provocation. That is why he has introduced virtual victories and breakthroughs. And of course, Russia continues to be blamed for everything, there is no escaping that. Be that as it may, there is one thing that the head of the Kyiv junta can be absolutely sure of — his accomplices in Western capitals, who in other situations readily pose as defenders of democracy, in his case will ignore not only his illegitimacy, but also his litany of crimes and dictatorial decisions. As Franklin Roosevelt is remembered to once have said about Nicaraguan dictator Somoza: “he may be a son of a bitch, but he is our son of a bitch”. Since then, when it comes to similar situations, nothing has essentially changed in American politics. I will not comment on the absolutely shameless attempts in the Chamber of interfering in my country’s domestic affairs. Those who made such statements have exposed themselves, and it is good that their words will remain enshrined in the record of today’s meeting. Like it or not, presidential elections have begun today in Russia. They will last for three days and will also be carried out in the new Russian regions that joined our country as a result of the free expression of popular will in September 2022. The voting will take place in full compliance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation. I congratulate the residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics and the Zaporizhzhya and Kherson oblasts, who are determining their future alongside us today. I especially want to congratulate the residents of Crimea — who 10 years ago almost to the day voted for reunification with Russia — as this is the second time that they have participated in presidential elections. They have achieved great success during that time; Crimea has flourished, building more and more modern infrastructure and social facilities. That, far more than any words, motivates our new citizens to choose a decent future for themselves and their children. All of us, as citizens of the great Russia, will make our homeland even more beautiful and prosperous. I call on all my fellow citizens to go to the polling stations during the remaining two days and make their free choice. Let our foes and those who are envious of us writhe in their impotent rage. Our cause is righteous, and together we will win.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Japan. I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her comprehensive briefing. At the outset, I would like to express our condemnation of the recent missile attacks on Odesa and our condolences for the victims. We reiterate that attacks on civilians are unlawful and totally unacceptable. Whenever we attend a Council meeting on Ukraine, we do so reaffirming our solid commitment to international peace and security in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, which has been challenged by actions that gravely undermine justice and the rule of law  — the very foundation of the international community. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has brought us together with even stronger resolve. We must acknowledge that this situation threatens not only the affected regions but also the international peace and security in which we all live. We continue to urge Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Russia’s unilaterally holding what it calls “presidential elections” in the occupied territories of Ukraine infringes upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a sovereign State and is based on a clear violation of international law. Such acts following Russia’s illegal annexation are totally unacceptable and shall never be recognized. We will never recognize so- called elections, past and future, held by Russia in the territories of Ukraine, or their results. Council members should imagine finding themselves in such a situation: if a neighbouring country started a war of aggression against their country and occupied part of their territory, and if, within that occupied territory, the citizens of their own country were forced to participate in the presidential elections held by the aggressor. That would be clearly unthinkable and unacceptable to any State Member of the United Nations. Let me be clear: as affirmed in the relevant General assembly resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority of Member States, Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions into the territory of the Russian Federation by force clearly breaches international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. Those actions in the areas that have been forcibly placed under Russia’s control are nothing but attempts to acquire territory by force and have no validity. They cannot form the basis for any alteration of the status of those regions of Ukraine. Let me recall the statement made in September 2022 by the Secretary-General, who said that “any decision to proceed with the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned.” That could not be clearer. In conclusion, as I said at the beginning, our commitment to upholding the Charter of the United Nations and to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is unwavering. The overwhelming majority shares these principles and is united around the aim of realizing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. History will show that Russia’s futile attempts to establish a sense of normalcy or legitimacy through those activities are doomed to fail. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine.

I thank Under- Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo very much for the very comprehensive and strong briefing that she delivered today. I was also about to recognize Putin’s envoy in the permanent seat of the Soviet Union, who once again extricated himself from the Council. Having listened to his overused Communist-style balderdash, I am obliged to admit that that delegation’s presence adds no value — apart, perhaps, from that of providing a record of their statements for use by a future tribunal established to try the crimes committed by Moscow, its political and military leadership and its senior diplomats. But there is probably another important thing to mention, and that is the complete isolation of the Russian delegation today in this meeting. There is not a single delegation that has found a single word of support for the illegitimate Russian attempts to organize elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. We requested this meeting to address yet another violation that Russia is committing today. It again undermines the bedrock of our international order  — the principles of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States. The so- called presidential elections that Russia is holding in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are nothing more than a flagrant violation of international law, particularly the Charter of the United Nations. These unlawful activities also violate Ukrainian legislation. In that regard, we emphasize that any election process in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions of Ukraine — like any other similar propaganda activities in the past — is unlawful and will be legally null and void. We are grateful to those States Members of the United Nations that co-sponsored the joint statement in response to the Russian Federation’s organization of presidential elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine today. In that document, we recall the strong stance taken by the General Assembly on the inadmissibility of any alteration of the status of the Ukrainian regions I mentioned owing to Russia’s aggressive actions. General Assembly resolution 68/262, of 2014, entitled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine”, reconfirmed that Crimea and Sevastopol are Ukraine. General Assembly resolution ES-11/4, entitled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations”, which was adopted on 12 October 2022 by an overwhelming majority  — 143 States Members of the United Nations — endorsed the same approach in relation to the regions in question. Consequently, voting in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will finally delegitimize the election process, which was already dubious from the very beginning. What is now called an election in Russia does not comply with generally recognized democratic principles and election standards. It has nothing in common with the free and fair expression of the will of the people. Rather, it is Putin’s self-reappointment under the sterile conditions of the absence of any competition. Those who might have been his opponents were killed, arrested or, at best, forced to leave the country. Those whom the Kremlin let participate do not even hide their technical role as a mise en scène for the predetermined winner. The temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine have a special role in this mockery of an election. Full closure from the outside world enables the Kremlin to fabricate any turnout numbers and election results it desires. We observed a similar situation in the fall of 2022, when Russia reported about 80 to 90 per cent voter turnout at the fake referendums. A year later, at the sham local elections, the Kremlin again fabricated much higher turnout numbers for the occupied Ukrainian regions — 63 to 76 per cent, while the average turnout for Russian territory only reached 43 per cent. The sham election process in the temporarily occupied territories is marked with the intimidation and coercion of the local population. The Russian occupiers have elaborated many means to reach that end, including threats against life, illegal detention, the denial of access to health care and social services, threats of deportation and the deprivation of property. We should not forget that these actions take place at gunpoint. The report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine presented today in Geneva contains shocking evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which remain a grim reality in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. The torture and wilful killing of civilian residents, rape and sexual violence and crimes against children are on that list. For instance, as per the report, “Russian authorities, mostly in groups, conducted house searches, sometimes on multiple occasions. [...] They threatened and intimidated victims and their family members with weapons, including by shooting near their heads or legs. Perpetrators raped the victims in their homes, or forcibly took them to premises they had occupied”. There were also cases in which women “were subjected to sexual violence as punishment for support to the Ukrainian authorities”. Just bear that in mind when Putin’s envoy talks about the so-called free people’s will in the occupied territories. Forcing millions of Ukrainian citizens who live in temporarily occupied territories or who have been forcibly transferred to Russian Federation territory to participate in the so-called elections is illegal. We condemn the illegal passportization of Ukrainians on those territories with Russian passports. Moreover, to expand their capacity for falsification, the Russian occupiers have even allowed local residents to vote using their Ukrainian documents, issued before the occupation. All mentioned violations of the norms and principles of international law put into question the legitimacy of the overall outcome of the so-called presidential elections in Russia, irrespective of their preordained results. We therefore call on the international community to resolutely condemn Russia’s illegitimate intention to imitate presidential elections in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, to refrain from recognizing the results of those “elections” and to impose sanctions on those involved in organizing and conducting them. We also call on Member States to hold to account their nationals who, despite warnings from the Ukrainian side, showed up in the temporarily occupied territories as “international observers” of the fake elections. Foreign nationals who decided to be part of an attempt to legitimize the occupation of the Ukrainian regions will face criminal responsibility under Ukrainian legislation. Putin has been in power for 24 years, not through the free expression of the people’s will, but through manipulation of the Russian Constitution, propaganda, elimination of political competition and through violence, including the assassination of prominent independent politicians. Over those years, Ukraine successfully conducted four presidential elections. Those elections’ compliance with the standards of democratic elections were observed by the most esteemed institutions mandated to monitor elections, in particular the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe. It speaks volumes that Russia decided not to invite OSCE observers, despite that contradicting its commitments as an OSCE participating State. Indeed, this travesty of an election does not require an impartial and independent assessment of the process. In that regard, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in resolution 2519, called for the recognition of Putin as illegitimate after the end of his current presidential term and to cease all contact with him, except for humanitarian contact and in the pursuit of peace. The undemocratic nature of the presidential election and the use of the election to violate Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity should speed up the execution of the warrant of arrest for Putin issued a year ago by the International Criminal Court. Immunity should not be extended to an aggressive dictator reappointing himself via undemocratic elections. The deadly missile attacks against Ukrainian cities carried out by the Russian forces this week serve as further proof of the need to intensify our efforts to bring Putin and his accomplices to justice. This morning Russia again shelled the city of Odesa with ballistic missiles: 20 people were killed and 73 were wounded. Moreover, Russia resorted to the despicable tactic of a double strike, hitting the site again while the rescue operation and the clearing of debris were under way. As a result, medical and rescue workers were also among the casualties. Several days earlier, on 12 March, a night attack on a multistorey residential building in the city of Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, took the lives of five residents. Another 43 were wounded, among them 12 children. Three people were killed, and 12 others were wounded, on the same day in the city of Sumy following the drone attack on a five-storey residential building. The organization of illegal elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will be added to the materials for a future trial against Putin. We reiterate that the continued preservation of Putin’s aggressive and revanchist regime poses an unprecedented challenge to the world. If not stopped, Russian terror and chaos will spread further. The longer the convulsions of Putin’s regime last, the longer and more painful Russia’s return to the democratic path will be. While Putin tries to expand his personal power, we urge the international community to reaffirm its respect for human life, the rule of law and democratic values by maximizing its support for our country and the Ukrainian people in the fight against Russian terror. We also urge the Member States to support the United Nations Charter’s purposes and principles through the continued and unwavering non-recognition of Russia’s occupation of Ukraine.

I now give the floor to the representative of Italy.

Italy fully aligns itself with the statement that will be delivered by the observer of the European Union and would like to add some additional considerations in its national capacity. Far from being an exercise of democracy and self- determination, the illegitimate so-called elections organized by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are taking place amid widespread and systematic abuses of human rights and intimidation. Just as in recent years, it remains crystal clear that such elections merely serve as a charade of democratic principles masking Russia’s imposition of its aggressive and domineering ambitions through coercion and military force. Recalling the 2022 General Assembly resolution (ES-11/4), we want to underscore once again the condemnation by the overwhelming majority of the international community of such flagrant violations of international law. Russia’s annexation attempts in Crimea, Sevastopol and other regions of Ukraine remain illegal and unacceptable. Let me be clear: Italy will never recognize the fabricated results of the illegitimate elections organized by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. We call on all States to do the same, as our common obligation under international law. Italy condemns in the strongest possible way Russia’s continuous brutal attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and cities across Ukraine, as well as Russia’s complete disregard for the call rising from the entire membership to put an end to its full-scale, unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine. There must be no impunity for those responsible for war crimes and other atrocities. Russia will ultimately have to be accountable for the catastrophic damage caused by its war of aggression. We reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Ukraine, pay tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for the independence of their country and express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims who continue to be killed as a result of the ongoing aggression. Italy remains committed to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Political, military and economic support for Ukraine is one of the key priorities of our Group of Seven (G7) presidency, and we are determined to continue that as long as necessary and as intensely as needed. Those principles have been at the centre of the G7 leaders’ meeting convened by Italy on 24 February to mark the day of the second anniversary of the aggression, with the participation of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We strongly believe it is more important than ever to engage the whole international community to contribute to the solution of that devastating, senseless war. Italy remains committed to collaborating with all sincere partners to ensure the widest possible international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. The ongoing aggression by Russia must cease immediately, and the responsibility for ending it lies solely with Russia itself. That can be achieved by halting its attacks and withdrawing its forces from Ukrainian territory. Russia may try to bank on the exhaustion of the Ukrainian people and their global supporters who advocate for a free, independent and sovereign Ukraine. But we refuse to allow such tactics to prevail. Justice will prevail. Ukraine will endure.

I now give the floor to the representative of Poland.

First of all I would like to thank the Japanese presidency for convening this extremely timely and important meeting. In line with the definition provided by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), true elections must adhere to democratic principles, ensuring the free and fair participation of citizens in choosing their representatives. There is no doubt, however, that the imposition of Russian presidential elections in Ukrainian territories under illegal military occupation by the Russian Federation, as well as in the territories of other States under its illegal control, blatantly contradicts those principles clearly outlined by ODIHR. And that is exactly why we fully understand why Russia decided not to invite the ODIHR and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly observers to the presidential elections, which started today. That meticulously staged facade of presidential elections, which Poland sees as a plebiscite of support for Putin’s policy, is nothing more than a manifestation of another act of aggression, this time of a political nature. They are also yet another attempt to legitimize the illegal annexation of Ukraine’s territories and violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity not only of Ukraine, but also other countries subject to Russian colonial expansionism. Poland condemns Russia’s organization of the voting in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine: the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and the Kherson region of Ukraine. Those actions demonstrate deliberate attempts to manipulate the political landscape of Ukraine and undermine its sovereignty. We also believe that any vote conducted by the aggressor under war conditions cannot be considered as binding. The international community has no right to recognize the results of the presidential elections held by Russia in the temporarily annexed territories of another, sovereign country. Holding sham and staged elections is a blatant proof of the policy of faits accomplis conducted by Russian occupiers and their proxies. The discussion on the legitimacy of the electoral process cannot ignore the fact that the President who will run in the election is the alleged perpetrator of international crimes wanted by the International Criminal Court. Russian readiness to sacrifice human lives on a large scale in exchange for gains on the front lines, aimed at bolstering Putin’s election campaign, demonstrates Moscow’s disregard for human life. We call on the international community to condemn the act of political aggression that Russia calls elections in the territories of Ukraine it has temporarily occupied. We also call on the international community not to recognize the results of the elections within the Ukrainian territories. It must be emphasized publicly that the elections are conducted in a situation of total crackdown on civil society and human rights, including electoral rights, and a lack of meaningful and real competition. We should also not forget that the attempted annexation of parts of Ukrainian territories and the organization of the staged referendums there was condemned by 143 Member States in the General Assembly resolution adopted on 12 October 2022 (General Assembly resolution ES-11/4). In conclusion, Poland reiterates the importance of upholding the ODIHR definition of elections as processes that safeguard democratic values, transparency and inclusivity, and condemns any attempts to subvert them for political gains. We cannot expect the impartial and independent assessment of the voting. The presidential vote will be the second time in a row that the OSCE is unable to observe elections in the country, following the 2021 parliamentary elections, when no OSCE observers were deployed. That decision goes against the OSCE commitments made by Russia and proves clearly that the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Russia continues to significantly deteriorate. Therefore we firmly reject that unquestionable act of political aggression by the Russian Federation, as much as we condemn its ongoing targeting of civilian populations in Ukraine, which only today, as we heard, resulted in the loss of many innocent lives in the city of Odesa.

I now give the floor to the representative of Romania.

We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this meeting. Today’s meeting is about the core values of the Charter of the United Nations, which need, once again, to be defended: independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia continues its indiscriminate attacks against innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, but also continues to undermine its territorial integrity and sovereignty through multiple illegal actions. A year and a half ago, we stood united in the General Assembly and rejected the Russian Federation’s attempts to hold illegal so-called referendums in September 2022 in parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine. It is now time to stand again against any action that disregards international law. To organize elections in the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions, Crimea and the city of Sevastopol is a blatant and direct violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Romania will not recognize the results of the upcoming presidential elections organized by Russia in the temporarily occupied and illegally annexed territories of Ukraine. Moreover, we strongly deplore Russia’s intention to open polling stations in other territories, such as the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova or the occupied regions of Georgia, without the consent of the constitutional authorities of the respective countries. That constitutes also a direct assault on the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of those countries. A large number of countries will organize elections this year, including my own country. We are all expected to uphold our commitments and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Earlier this morning in Geneva, 59 States joined a cross-regional joint statement, championed by Romania, in support of the principles of article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that deals, among others, with the issue of genuine elections. Russia misunderstood the spirit of inclusive and effective participation in elections, as also reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goal 16. Elections cannot be organized in illegally occupied territories. We condemn once again any action or behaviour inconsistent with international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or any other relevant documents. Such actions by a permanent member of the Security Council undermine the very international peace and security that it is duty-bound to protect.

I now give the floor to Mr. Lambrinidis. Mr. Lambrinidis: My thoughts are with the victims of one more brutal bombing attack by Russia against Ukrainians today in Odesa. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, and the European Free Trade Area country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement. The European Union strongly condemns the holding of illegitimate so-called elections in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied. It is yet another manifest violation by Russia of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and relevant General Assembly resolutions, and of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU reiterates that it does not and will not recognize either the holding of the so-called elections or their results. All the so-called polls, past and future, are null and void. In 2022, the General Assembly decided by an overwhelming majority that Russia’s attempts to hold illegal so-called referendums in parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine had no validity under international law and did not form the basis for any alteration of the status of those regions of Ukraine. In 2014, the General Assembly similarly decided that Russia’s referendums in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol had no validity and could not form the basis for any alteration of the status of those regions. In other words, one cannot hold elections in areas of a country that one has annexed illegally through force. And yet, the Russian representative here today told us that, whether we like it or not, Russia will annex those areas and will hold elections and anything else it wants in them. Whether we like the Charter of the United Nations or not, whether we like United Nations resolutions that were adopted by large majorities in the General Assembly or not, Russia will do whatever it wants with impunity. Coming from a permanent member of the Security Council, that is chilling. All of us have a responsibility to unequivocally reject Russia’s illegal annexation attempts. All of us must be clear to Russia that its actions also undermine all efforts to reach a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations and are flagrantly illegal and unacceptable. The human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories also remains of great concern. International monitoring mechanisms, including the United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine — which issued its latest report today, have concluded that Russia has committed a wide range of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Ukraine. The EU fully supports the work of the United Nations to monitor and report on human rights violations and abuses and to support efforts towards accountability. Russia must enable full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access through the front lines and stop willingly withholding aid from people in need in the areas it has temporarily occupied. Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, has the obligation to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law. I reaffirm the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as its inherent right to self-defence. Let me repeat: Donetsk is Ukraine; Luhansk is Ukraine; Kherson is Ukraine; Zaporizhzhya is Ukraine; and Crimea is Ukraine. The world will not accept Russia’s attempted land grab, and the aggressor will be held to account.

I now give the floor to the representative of Estonia.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the three Baltic States  — Latvia, Lithuania and my own country, Estonia. We also align ourselves with the statement of the European Union. I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s Security Council briefing. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her valuable insight. Let me start by extending my condolences to all those citizens of Odesa who lost their close ones owing to another strike by so-called Russian precision weapons which continue to sow chaos and destruction in Ukraine, indiscriminately killing peaceful citizens. Starting today, the so-called presidential elections are taking place in Russia. In the months leading up to the so-called elections, the Kremlin has increased its propaganda and media censorship and has eliminated opposition members physically via imprisonment or murder, as was the case with Alexei Navalny. Ordinary citizens who, according to the Kremlin’s twisted KGB logic, display even the slightest kind of dissent are being frightened, silenced or detained. The number of political prisoners in Russia is rapidly growing. On the legitimacy of the elections, quoting Russia’s imprisoned prominent opposition figure Mr. Kara- Murza seems appropriate. “Putin is not a legitimately elected president. Putin’s next term is illegal. He is a dictator and a usurper. It’s time the free world finally said so. Sometimes the most powerful tool of all is simply telling the truth.” Externally, in the shadows of the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, Russia is conducting its hybrid operations. During the past month, for example, Russia has initiated criminal cases against more than 80 politicians and senior officials from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Czechia. Furthermore, Russian dissidents, journalists, human rights activists and others who are living abroad and are opposing the Kremlin’s revanchist narratives and actions are in danger too. Some are labelled foreign agents, intimidated or threatened. This week, a violent attack in line with the Kremlin’s actions against its opposition was acted out in Vilnius against Navalny’s close ally Mr. Volkov. I would like to emphasize once more that any attempted land grab under any pretext runs against the Charter of the United Nations and international law. It cannot be justified or covered up with fake referendums held by the Russians at gun point. Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson are an integral part of the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. So-called elections in the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine therefore can be neither justified nor tolerated, as holding the so-called elections in the temporarily occupied and illegally annexed territories of Ukraine is in itself a grave violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Let me remind Council members that, last year, the General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of temporarily occupied Ukrainian regions. For those reasons, the Baltic States will never recognize or support the holding of such fake elections, nor can they accept their results. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and all Russia’s criminal actions in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders are not compatible with Russia’s permanent membership obligations. Unfortunately, for the past two years, through its criminal acts and by shielding itself from accountability for its crimes by exercising its veto right, that country continues to undermine the legitimacy and the image of the Council and thus the United Nations. I regret that we were not able collectively to prevent that or to stop it. Lastly, we once again call upon Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.