Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to
the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
"This Council exists to uphold international peace and
security.
Yet we meet again because the actions of a permanent member over
the last two weeks have made one thing clear: Russia has no
interest in peace.
Despite repeated global calls for a ceasefire, President
Putin has continued his deadly attacks on Ukraine,
accepting a ceasefire only when it suited him: a pause long
enough to protect his Victory Day parade.
The moment the parade ended, the killing resumed. 24
people killed by a single strike on a block of apartments.
Russia is lashing out in desperation. A state that needs a
spectacle to mask its insecurity, and missiles to silence
diplomacy, is not acting from confidence. It is acting from fear.
Fear that Ukraine will endure and Russia's aggression will fail.
This disregard for life extends to those trying to save it. As
we've heard today, last week, a clearly marked UN vehicle on a
humanitarian mission in Kherson was struck twice by drones,
endangering humanitarians delivering vital aid. This is not an
isolated incident. OCHA reports over 50 incidents affecting
humanitarian personnel and operations so far this year. These
attacks are straining a response on which millions rely.
President Putin continues to choose deadly violence because he is
desperate. Russia has killed over 140 civilians this month alone.
His objectives remain unmet after over four years, and conditions
at home continue to deteriorate. Russia's economy is increasingly
subsumed by defence spending. Yet he continues, despite clear
evidence that Ukraine is resisting effectively and imposing
significant costs.
As the Council marks Protection of Civilians week, we remind
Russia of their obligations under international law. We
echo the Secretary General's call for a comprehensive ceasefire,
and a just and lasting peace.
But peace begins with truth: this war could end the moment Russia
stops its invasion.
President Putin cannot achieve his goals by military means.
Russia is losing more soldiers than it is recruiting.
And at the rate it is seizing territory, it would take
decades to achieve its war aims.
So he is desperate to convince us all that Russia's victory is
inevitable. That our support is a lost cause. But no one is
falling for it. Europe's support is here to stay"
