Today the UN Security Council held a three-hour session on Ukraine, featuring denunciations of Russia, on the eve of the Abu Dhabi talks by delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia, toward a resolution of the strife. The UN Security Council was convened by Latvia, which holds the November rotating presidency, at the request of Ukraine, backed by the UK, France, Denmark and Greece. In addition to speeches from most of the 15 Council member nations, there were presentations by the EU, the Baltic states, the Nordic states, as well as by Ukraine.
Ukraine announced that it will today send an official letter to the UN Secretary General and to the UNSC chair country Latvia, providing information, including photos, of Russia committing “mass killings.” This was the gist of other statements to the Council.
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia, among several points, denounced the way that Western political leaders are speaking about war with Russia by 2029-2030. He said that if they initiate warfare, they should know that it will escalate quickly, and they are confronting a nuclear power. He referred to people on the streets in Europe, protesting against the war policy.
The representative from France intervened in the debate at a later point, to charge Nebenzia with personally violating the UNSC rules by his comments on what people on the streets of France are thinking, which the French accuser said is a matter internal to France. He added that Nebenzia had it wrong.
The Ukraine representative also confronted Nebenzia personally, saying that there are precedents for punishing diplomats with jail time or death for lying to cover up war crimes. He cited the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals, listing name by name, German and Japanese diplomats convicted.
In stark contrast, the Chinese spokesman presented three points about the Ukraine conflict. First, there must be respect for humanitarian needs. All efforts must be taken to avoid civilian suffering, and to care for people. People come first. Secondly, strengthen the “will for peace,” especially among the negotiators from the United States, Ukraine and Russia. The international community must do its part to support this. Thirdly, the root causes of the conflict must be addressed, and efforts undertaken for valid mutual security. Security is indivisible.
