Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, has condemned Russia during a speech at the United Nations Security Council, accusing the nation of violating the UN charter and questioning its presence at the council.
He criticized Moscow’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and its treatment of its citizens, saying they were treated as “bits of meat to fling into the grinder.” Starmer argued that Russia’s aggression threatens global security and has led to untold suffering in Ukraine.
“We must ensure accountability for those violating the UN charter, and this council must recommit to the values that it sets out,” Starmer said.
“This should go without saying. Yet, the greatest violation of the charter in a generation has been committed by one of this council’s permanent members.”
Keir Starmer
Starmer provided a summary of the toll the war has taken, pointing to the deaths and injuries of 35,000 civilians, the displacement of 6 million Ukrainians, and the abduction of 20,000 Ukrainian children.
Starmer recounted the story of Yaroslav Bazylevych, a Ukrainian man who recently lost his wife and three daughters to a Russian missile strike on civilians in Lviv. He questioned how Russia could continue to participate in the UN after such actions.
“I think of Yaroslav Bazylevych, whose wife and three daughters were killed earlier this month by a Russian strike on civilians in Lviv. And I wonder how Russia can show its face in this building,” Starmer said. He also called attention to the immense losses suffered by Russian forces.
“Six hundred thousand Russian soldiers have also been killed or wounded in this war. And for what? The UN charter, which they sit here to uphold, speaks of human dignity. Not treating your own citizens as bits of meat to fling into the grinder.”
Keir Starmer
Conflicts Beyond Ukraine
Though Ukraine was the focal point of his speech, Starmer also addressed other global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East. He warned that the region was “on the brink” and called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. He urged for a halt to hostilities in Gaza and the release of all hostages.
“We need a political route to that agreement, which provides a bridge to a better future. A credible and irreversible path towards a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure state of Israel. This is the only way to provide security and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
Keir Starmer
Starmer’s appearance at the UN coincides with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit, where he is set to present his “victory plan” to U.S. President Joe Biden and other global leaders.
Zelenskyy is also seeking approval to use British-French-made Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory, a move backed by the UK but still under negotiation due to U.S. technology being part of the missiles.
When pressed on whether a decision had been made regarding the missile use, Starmer noted that discussions were ongoing. “We will have discussions about a whole range of issues, and we will listen carefully to what President Zelenskyy’s got to say, and that’s what’s going to happen in the next few days,” he stated.
He emphasized that the focus was not solely on long-range missiles but on finding a strategic solution to help Ukraine resist Russian aggression.
In a separate address to the Security Council, Zelenskyy accused Russia of committing “international crimes” by deliberately targeting Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. He also claimed to have evidence of Russian President Vladimir Putin plotting to attack three Ukrainian nuclear power plants to further weaken Ukraine’s energy grid.
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