The United States and its allies, during an emergency Security Council session, condemned Vladimir Putin’s rebel-held areas in Ukraine and his ordered deployment of troops as a gross violation of international law and “pretext for war.”
Addressing the Council, US Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, heaped disapproval on Putin’s assertion that the Russian troops would embark on a peacekeeping role in the Donetsk and Lugansk areas.
“He calls them peacekeepers. This is nonsense. We know what they really are.”
US Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Ukraine’s Ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, insisted that his country’s borders remain “unchangeable” despite Russia’s actions.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said Moscow is still “open to diplomacy for a diplomatic solution”, but warned against what he dubbed Ukrainian aggression.
Nebenzya said “Allowing a new bloodbath in the Donbass is something we do not intend to do,” while referring to the region encompassing Donetsk and Lugansk.
Putin’s order is widely seen as paving the way for an operation to deploy part of the potential invasion force he has massed on Ukraine’s borders. In a lengthy televised national address announcing his recognition of the rebel-held areas, Putin railed against Ukraine as a failed state and “puppet” of the West, repeatedly suggesting it was essentially part of Russia.
Thomas-Greenfield said the speech amounted to a “series of outrageous, false claims” that were aimed at “creating a pretext for war.”
Thomas-Greenfield’s remarks came just before a White House spokesperson said Washington, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, will impose sanctions on Moscow following Putin’s order.
‘Critical’ moment
Russia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council wanted the session to be closed, but the United States insisted it is public. Multiple countries had requested Monday’s (February 21, 2022) emergency meeting based on a letter from Ukraine demanding its representative be able to attend.
Speaking at the UN’s late Monday (February 21, 2022) meeting, Sergiy Kyslytsya, a permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations challenged the Security Council to defy Russian intimidation, saying: “The United Nations is sick.”
“It’s been hit by the virus spread by the Kremlin. Will it succumb to this virus? It is in the hands of the membership.”
Sergiy Kyslytsya, a permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations
The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, voiced “regret” that Russian troops were ordered to eastern Ukraine.
“The next hours and days will be critical. The risk of major conflict is real and needs to be prevented at all costs.”
Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo
Putin’s recognition of the separatist republics effectively buries a fragile 2015 peace plan for the conflict and opens the door for direct Russian military involvement.
Moscow provided no details or date for any deployment of the “peacekeeping” forces, only saying that it “comes into force from the day it was signed.”
British Envoy, Barbara Woodward, said the council must be united in urging Russia to “de-escalate” and “respect its obligations.”
“Russia has brought us to the brink. We urge Russia to step back,” Woodward said, with China calling for restraint by “all sides.”
Ireland’s Ambassador to the UN, Geraldine Byrne Nason, called Russia’s actions “a flagrant violation of international law.” According to him, “unilateral step” has “cast into doubt all the diplomatic efforts of past weeks.”
Martin Kimani of Kenya pointed out that many countries were “birthed by the ending of empire” hence, urging against “dangerous nostalgia” for past borders. He added that Russia’s move “breaches the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
“Multilateralism lies on its deathbed tonight. It has been assaulted today, as it has been by other powerful states in the recent past.”
Martin Kimani of Kenya
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