The UN and a majority of Security Council members on Monday condemned in an emergency meeting Russia’s recognition of the independence of breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine and President Vladimir’s order Putin to deploy troops there to “keep the peace”, Moscow ensuring to remain “open to diplomacy”. “The internationally recognized borders of Ukraine will remain unchanged regardless of Russia’s statements and actions,” Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya said.
Moscow still “ready” for negotiations with Blinken
Russia assured on Tuesday that it was always “ready” for negotiations with the American Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is due to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Thursday, after Moscow’s recognition of the pro-Russian Ukrainian separatist regions. “Even in the most difficult times…we say: we are ready for the process of negotiations, that’s why our position has remained the same…We are always for the use of diplomacy,” he said. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in comments posted on Youtube.
Ukraine calls for a “verifiable withdrawal of troops” from Russia
Ukraine asks Russia “to cancel its decision to recognize” Ukrainian secessionist territories, “to return to the negotiating table” and to proceed with “an immediate and verifiable withdrawal of its occupation troops”, a- he added. But at the end of a tense meeting of nearly two hours, the Ukrainian diplomat estimated that the “United Nations were sick (…) hit by the virus spread by the Kremlin”.
At the start of the meeting, the United States, through its UN ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called “nonsense” the designation of the Russian army by President Vladimir Putin as a “force of peacekeeping” to justify a possible entry into the separatist territories of eastern Ukraine. “We know what they really are,” castigated the American diplomat.
“The risk of major conflict is real”, warns the UN
The UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, had previously strongly “regretted” Russia’s decisions and actions. “The next few hours and days will be critical. The risk of a major conflict is real and must be avoided at all costs”, she claimed during the meeting organized at the request of Westerners in particular. “We remain open to diplomacy, for a diplomatic solution. However, we do not intend to allow a bloodbath in the Donbass”, retorted the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia.
During the session, several members of the Security Council condemned Russia’s actions, like France, Norway or Ireland, whose ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason, strongly criticized Moscow. “Russia’s unilateral actions only exacerbate tensions,” she said.
For France, Russia has chosen “confrontation”
For France, Russia has “chosen the path of questioning and confrontation”, lamented the French ambassador, Nicolas de Rivière. “Who is the next” to have to be invaded? Asked the Albanian ambassador, Ferit Hoxha, in a more direct way, condemning “a breach of international law”.
His Indian counterpart, TS Tirumurti, expressed “deep concern” and called for “restraint from all parties”, while British Ambassador Barbara Woodward demanded that Russia “reverse ” and that Brazil demanded “an immediate ceasefire” in eastern Ukraine.
No direct condemnation from China
“This action of ‘militarily entering eastern Ukraine’ and this announcement of ‘recognition of independence’ undermines the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Kenyan Ambassador Martin Kimani said. . “Kenya is seriously concerned,” he added. “Today, the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine has been affected,” the Kenyan diplomat said. Ghana, the United Arab Emirates also criticized Russia, calling for “de-escalation” and “restraint”.
China has distinguished itself from its partners by not explicitly condemning Russia. “All countries should resolve international disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”, limited itself to saying the Chinese ambassador, Zhang Jun, calling on all parties to “show detention”. Two decrees of the Russian president, signed after a televised address, recognize the “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Lugansk and ask the Ministry of Defense that “the armed forces of Russia (assume) peacekeeping functions there”.