Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy
Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council
meeting on threats to international peace and security.
By calling this meeting today on ‘western weapons transfers to
Ukraine', Russia has, yet again, succeeded only in drawing our
attention to its continued hypocrisy.
Just days ago, it came to light that Russia has received Iranian
ballistic missiles for use in prosecuting its illegal war against
Ukraine. The transfer poses a direct threat to European security
and stability elsewhere and will increase the suffering of the
Ukrainian people. It is this which should be the focus of today's
meeting, not Western support for a sovereign state's legitimate
and legal right to defend itself.
Iranian close-range ballistic missiles will soon reach European
soil. The transfer will increase Russia's capability to launch
short-range attacks on the front lines, enabling it to use more
of its long-distance missiles to strike deeper inside Ukraine. As
we said earlier this week together with our international
partners, we can be certain that the suffering of the Ukrainian
people will increase as a result.
Colleagues, none of us need reminding of the atrocities Russia
will inflict with the aid of these weapons. The UN has verified
over 35,000 civilian casualties caused by Russia's war – we
suspect the real number is far higher. Russian missiles are
hitting schools and children's hospitals. Humanitarian workers
are being killed. And Russia is cynically and brutally targeting
Ukrainian energy infrastructure, posing significant risks to the
lives of millions of Ukrainians ahead of winter. It seems that
only one member of this Council needs reminding that deliberately
targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.
President, Russia also continues to purchase significant
quantities of weapons for use in Ukraine, including ballistic
missiles from DPRK, in violation of UN Security Council
resolutions Russia itself voted for.
This increased military cooperation between Russia, Iran and DPRK
poses an unacceptable threat to not only European security, but
to global security. In return for weapons needed to prolong its
illegal war, Russia is violating sanctions endorsed by the UN
Security Council and building the capabilities of, and
emboldening, both the Iranian and North Korean regimes. This
contributes to further destablisation in the Middle East and
Indo-Pacific.
Russia's war in Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international
law and the UN Charter. We will not be deterred from our
unwavering support for Ukraine. We remain committed to providing
the political and military support Ukraine requires to defend
itself – in line with its Article 51 right – against Russia's
unjustified and unprovoked invasion, and to secure a just and
lasting peace, in line with the UN Charter.
And President, let me conclude with the words of my Prime
Minister yesterday: “Russia started this conflict. Russia
illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia could end this conflict
straight away. Ukraine has the right to self-defence.”
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