Krzysztof Szczerski at the UN Security Council: Russia's aggression does not stop in Ukraine
In his speech at the Council meeting on the fourth anniversary of the start of full-scale aggression, the Polish representative – like many other participants in the discussion – assessed that despite ongoing talks, Russia was not striving for peace, and its aggression threatened the whole of Europe.
— Moscow does not want peace. Moscow wants Ukraine to capitulate, while Ukraine wants peace. And that's the difference. Despite the diplomatic efforts of Kiev, our partners in Washington and the broader international community, Putin still seeks to completely subjugate Ukraine, as we have already heard from the Russian ambassador, Szczerski said.
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Which countries have been accused of transferring equipment to Ukraine?
— This aggression does not end at Ukraine's borders. We feel it in Poland through hybrid attacks, sabotage and cynical attempts to destabilize our society, just like many of our partners throughout Europe. Make no mistake: these actions will not undermine our determination to help a nation under attack, but they carry a risk of escalation that should concern us all, he added.
The ambassador called for maintaining support for Ukraine, further sanctions against Russia and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving an acceptable peace for the victims of aggression.
The Russian ambassador accuses Europe
Tuesday's discussion in the Council was tense at times, mainly due to the attitude of Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia, who accused France and Great Britain of providing equipment and materials for a “dirty bomb” to Ukraine. He also accused Europe of sabotaging the peace talks. The British deputy foreign minister for European affairs, Stephen Doughty, who chaired the meeting, condemned the Russian's allegations as baseless, as did the representative of France.
Niebienzia also claimed that Ukrainians and Belarusians constitute one nation together with Russia and are united by a common faith, which the Ukrainians “sold cheaply for 30 pieces of silver.” Mariana Beca, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to these words.
– Mr. Niebienzia (…) you are not Ukrainian and please do not pretend that you are. Secondly, I will never be part of the same nation as Russia. Ukraine is a democratic, free European country, while Russia is an aggressive state that commits aggression, terrorism, war, crimes against humanity and genocide, said the Ukrainian diplomat.
US deputy ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce said that peace is “closer than ever” today thanks to the diplomatic efforts of President Donald Trump's administration. However, she emphasized the role of China, Iran and North Korea, which she described as factors prolonging the war.
— China remains the decisive factor driving Russia's war industrial machine. We have repeatedly called on China in this chamber to stop supplying Russia with dual-use goods and material components that go into drones and other weapons used in Ukraine, Bruce said.
— China also remains one of the main importers of Russian crude oil. If China really wants peace, it should immediately stop exporting dual-use goods and stop buying Russian oil, the US representative said.
Earlier in the General Assembly, the United States did not support the adopted resolution calling for an immediate, complete and unconditional truce between Russia and Ukraine. Bruce then stressed that the resolution contained “language that likely distracts attention” from diplomatic efforts to end the war rather than supporting them.
