YouSaid · the spoken record

Iliichev

lines on the record: 831
first: 2012-12-12
most recent: 2018-01-24
sittings or episodes: 141
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We join others in conveying our condolences and sympathies following the deaths of the two young and courageous experts, Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan. Russia voted in favour of resolution 2348 (2017), extending the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). We believe that, during this difficult time in the country's political history, it is important for the Mission to continue to carry out its work in stabilizing the eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and facilitating the implementation of the political agreement of 31 December 2016. We believe that all of that will be carried out by the Mission in full respect for Congolese sovereignty.”
2017-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7910 (2017) · source
“Ifwe are to establish lasting peace in South Sudan, what we need is not a Security Council arms embargo, but rather targeted measures to disarm the population and to demobilize and reintegrate combatants. We also believe that it is essential to heed the views of the regional Powers on the fact that this is not the time for proposals for introducing additional restrictions on Juba. Against that backdrop, we would point to information from United Nations experts that the same countries that appear to advocate introducing an arms embargo in the Security Council may be supplying South Sudan with weapons.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“The rise in inter-ethnic tensions is largely the result of provocative statements and actions by armed and criminal groups and undisciplined elements of the security forces. That hardly corresponds to the suggestions of some kind of purposeful, systematic policy on the part of the authorities. We welcome the establishment within UNMISS ofa working group on hate speech and incitement. We would like to emphasize the importance of preventing similar activities emanating from any country through Internet social networks, since otherwise the entire content of resolution 2327 (2016) would simply be ineffective. Our position on the new Security Council sanctions against South Sudan is well known.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“We trust that the proposed amnesty will enable progress to be made in the political process and also help to resolve the problem of the presence of supporters of the former First Vice-President Riek Machar on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In general, we believe that the parameters of a national dialogue and the location of the consultations should be determined by the South Sudanese themselves. We agree that it will be impossible to promote national dialogue or implement the peace agreement if the ceasefire is not maintained. But it would be unfair to blame the continuing violence exclusively on the Transitional Government of National Unity. We consider it absolutely inappropriate to bring up threats of genocide.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“At the same time, considering the situation in neighbouring Somalia and Kenya, we should also point out that the famine in various parts of South Sudan is the result not only of security problems but also of bad weather. We are also alarmed by the news of armed clashes in various parts of the country. We continue to hold the view that to a large degree those incidents are the result of command-and-control problems, as well as a certain lack of discipline among Government troops and those of the opposition. Another factor is the rift in anti-Government forces between supporters of Taban Deng Gai and Machar, with clashes that occur for inter-ethnic or simply criminal reasons. We welcome President Kiir's announcement of the forthcoming holding of a national dialogue in the framework of the peace agreement and call for active support to it.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“We urge the Secretariat to continue to cooperate with Juba in order to resolve all the current problems involving the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), including the need to create a mechanism for the prompt resolution of visa problems and for determining the modalities for deploying the regional protection force while complying with the basic norms of peacekeeping. We share the concerns about the country's disastrous humanitarian situation, and we note the efforts of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to improve things. We welcome President Kiir's statement on granting humanitarian access to the regions where there is a food crisis. We should not omit to note the assistance that has been given to the people of South Sudan by Khartoum.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“We credit the Secretariat for its recent provision of more balanced assessments in its monthly reports, among which we would like to emphasize the progress that has been made in preparing for the deployment of a regional protection force. As the information makes clear, the time frame for the deployment of front-line units was postponed somewhat through no fault of the South Sudanese. Juba's constructive position on the issue of the regional protection force is evidenced by the fact that the Government has allocated the first plot of land for their barracks, while as far as we know, the delays on the second plot are due to some unavoidable formalities.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to Mr. Mogae and Ms. Sunday for their assessments of the situation in South Sudan. We also welcome the personal efforts of the Secretary- General to reach a settlement on South Sudan. We agree on the importance of coordinating actions by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations aimed at ensuring peace, stability and security in South Sudan. We support the Secretary-General's approach in seeking African solutions to African problems with the appropriate support of the United Nations, including where the problem of South Sudan is concerned. We believe that it is appropriate that IGAD should play a central role in that process.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“We will continue training Somali civilian experts in Russia, the funding for which will be provided by the Russian federal budget. Our country has regularly provided humanitarian assistance to the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali refugees in neighbouring countries through targeted contributions to the relevant funds of the United Nations system. Since 2011, our overall share in providing assistance has exceeded $16 million, including $2 million for Kenya, which has hosted approximately 1 million Somali refugees. We intend to continue to provide similar humanitarian assistance to Somalia.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“The seriously deteriorating humanitarian situation in several parts of Somalia demands close attention and an appropriate international response. It was caused primarily by a combination of the catastrophic consequences of the drought and the persistent internal instability. Hundreds of thousands of people in the country are on the verge of starvation, and forecasts for the near future are far from encouraging. The international community must provide humanitarian assistance to ensure that the population is provided with drinking water, food and medicine. Russia is actively taking part in developing coordinated steps aimed at resolving the crisis, as well as in providing multidimensional assistance to the authorities in Mogadishu.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“We are concerned about the increase in destabilizing activity by that terrorist group beyond Somalia and the coordination of its actions with other terrorist groups in Africa. However, to date, achieving a decisive turning point in the fight against extremists has been impossible. In that regard, we call for a resolution ofthe issue of the delays in paying salaries to African peacekeepers and Somali soldiers and officers, who shed their blood to ensure Somalia's safety and security. The arms and coal embargoes against Somalia are an important and effective instrument in preventing extremist and terrorist forces from resupplying and re-arming. It is those forces that prevent the normalization of the region. The policy of partially lifting the embargo on arms to benefit the security forces of Somalia has proven its effectiveness.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“We look forward to the positive outcome of the serious work currently under way on preparing a new version of the country's Constitution and on adopting a law on political parties. At the same time, the most important tasks for the Government continue to be the strengthening of the security sector, solidifying the foundations of federalism and promoting a lasting national and interethnic reconciliation in Somalia. In our estimation, the security situation remains far from stable. We note the importance of continuing coordinated efforts by the international community to provide multidimensional assistance to Mogadishu so as to enhance the combat readiness of the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia, which bear the primary burden for combating Al-Shabaab.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo, has been an important milestone in moving the country forward on the path of national reconciliation, re-establishing State authority and consolidating democratic institutions. A Prime Minister has been appointed, a new Government has been formed and the process of establishing a system of territorial administration has practically been completed. However, we must note that a clan-based approach continues to prevail, unfortunately, in the domestic political life of the country. We need to gradually move away from that tendency and eliminate the fragmented nature of the Somali State at every level. We expect that the new Government will address the issues associated with internal political reforms, socioeconomic revitalization and development.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): First of all, we would like to express our condolences and sympathy to our United Kingdom colleagues, all the victims and the families of those who were killed in yesterday's terrorist attack in London. We strongly condemn that murderous attack, which once again confirms the need for coordinated action to effectively counter the global terrorist threat. We believe that that tragic event clearly demonstrates the timeliness and necessity of our initiatives to unify the efforts of the international community to combat terrorism. The successful completion of the electoral process in Somalia and the election of the new President, Mr.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“It is clear that the country needs fundamental reforms and modernization. The disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and resettlement or repatriation process must be jumpstarted with the full assistance of the international community and with regional mediation. In that regard, we welcome the initiative of the African Union to launch the process of reconciliation between the Central African Republic Government and the armed groups. The sponsors of that initiative include the Economic Community of Central African States, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad. We also welcome the initiative of President Touadera to make national reconciliation more inclusive, as well as his intent to work with all armed groups. This is a window of opportunity that must not be lost.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“The Central African authorities have to work on several fronts simultaneously in order to ensure the adequate functioning of the judiciary. In that context, the focus should be on rebuilding national capacity. Peacekeepers taking emergency temporary measures and the long-awaited creation of the special criminal court are not cure-alls for the country's problems in combating impunity. Furthermore, as world history shows, various types of courts with international participation are extremely costly and, in general, not very efficient. We would also like to call attention to the demand of armed groups with respect to the awarding of general amnesty. In that regard, we must proceed with caution. Let us not forget the Bangui Forum of 2015, which culminated in an appeal for fighting against impunity.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“It is evident that in a difficult military and political situation in the Central African Republic, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic is playing an important stabilizing role. However, given the situation on the ground, we note that Blue Helmets must often act as firefighting brigades. We are concerned about the deteriorating social, economic and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic, along with the ongoing lack of financing to meet the humanitarian needs of the country. We call on all sides to ensure unhampered humanitarian access, and the Government to create conditions conducive to the safe, voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to thank President Touadera for sharing his point of view regarding the situation in his country. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Ladsous and the Permanent Representative of Morocco for their briefings, which were quite instructive. The situation in the country remains precarious. Reprisals between tribes continue, crime and banditry are widespread, and sectarian and ethnic violence is rife. Government bodies and security forces in many parts of the country are failing or totally lacking. In spite of some breakthroughs on the security front in the capital, in the central and northern parts of the country there are ongoing deadly battles between armed groups engaging in turf wars. Last month's events around Bambari were a sad illustration of that reality.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“Guterres' intention to scale up cooperation with the AU and other African organizations with a view to settling conflicts on the continent. We support his intention to seek African solutions to African problems, with the whatever assistance is needed from the United Nations. In conclusion, we would like to wish every success to the delegation of the United Kingdom, which will be heading the Council in the month of March.”
2017-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7892 (2017) · source
“The discussion of the issue of the Middle East conflict on 16 February (see S/PV.7885) showed that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict continues to be marked by destabilizing factors, including repeated acts of violence, tensions around Gaza and settlement activities. We are convinced that there is a need today more than ever to take practical measures to unblock the peace process. Our proposal to conduct meetings with Messrs. Netanyahu and Abbas in Moscow remains on the table. We would like to see the Palestinian sides implement the agreements achieved during the meeting in Moscow from 15 to 17 January. We nevertheless note a new positive feature - consultations on 3 February, where the new Secretary-General, upon his initiative, briefed the Security Council on his participation at the African Union (AU) summit. We note Mr.”
2017-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7892 (2017) · source
“With respect to the unabated threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Jabhat Al-Nusra, Al-Qaida and their enablers, the Security Council should focus on the pressing issue of counter-terrorism. It is high time to establish a broad counter-terrorist coalition and improve measures to combat the fuelling and ideology of terrorism. The thematic meeting of the Security Council on 13 February on the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorists (see S/PV.7882) and the content of resolution 2341 (2017) unfortunately could hardly be considered evidence of priority being given to counter-terrorism. The discussions brought no new elements to the work of the Council or its existing decisions.”
2017-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7892 (2017) · source
“Indeed, refutation of the policy of indivisible security has caused protracted conflicts and triggered new ones in Europe. We also had hoped that we would jointly convince Kyiv of the need to implement the Minsk agreements. Many delegations spoke of that at that time and today. However, we have to note that these hopes were dashed. We share the priorities set out by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office - the Foreign Minister of Austria, Mr. Kurz - on 22 February (see S/PV.7887). We would like to see constructive cooperation in such key areas as conflict resolution, combating radicalization and extremism, and restoring trust among States. We would like to see the further development of cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE, including in the interest of this major European organization implementing United Nations decisions.”
2017-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7892 (2017) · source
“Unfortunately, due to the stubborn refusal of some delegations to recognize the close cooperation of UNRCCA with regional organizations, including the OSCE, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the text was not agreed for the fourth time in a row. The lack of reaction on the activities of UNRCCA not only hurts the image of the Security Council but also has a negative impact on cooperation between the Centre and countries of the region. It also fails to convey the right message to the Secretary-General of the United Nations who has made preventive diplomacy the crux of his activities. We had hoped that during the 21 February meeting (see S/PV.7886), the Security Council would constructively discuss ways to react collectively to European challenges.”
2017-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7892 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): The past month has been a very full one for the Security Council. In particular, there have been several meetings on regional and general issues. I would now like to talk about the three important thematic debates that took place on the situation in the Eurasian region: on the activities of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), on conflicts in Europe (see S/PV.7886) and the Austrian Chairperson-in-Office's briefing on the priorities for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) (see S/PV.7887). The outcome of the briefing by the head of UNRCCA, Mr. Draganov, on 2 February, led the Russian delegation to distribute a draft Security Council press statement.”
2017-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7892 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that Russia considers the OSCE to be an important mechanism for building a fair and indivisible security system for Europe as a whole, and is involved in strengthening its role and authority. We believe firmly that in order to improve the OSCE's relevance it is essential to clearly define the priorities for its activities and to create a charter for the organization.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“We hope that the Austrian chairmanship will continue to keep the Mission's objectivity under control, while giving direction to its representatives in the Trilateral Contact Group and its subgroups on developing a direct dialogue between the parties to the conflict. While the OSCE has sufficient resources in the area of conflict resolution, it is important to act extremely cautiously in this sensitive and delicate process and to bear in mind three key principles - that conflicts must be resolved peacefully, with the direct participation of the parties and respect for their interests, and within existing formats.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“The residents of Donetsk and Luhansk have suffered for their right to freedom and special status Within the Ukrainian State. It is vital that full compliance with the Minsk package of measures be finally achieved if we are to grant the region and its inhabitants the possibility of a peaceful life and democratic self-government and to restore their broken economic ties to the rest of Ukraine. All of that is provided for in the Minsk agreement, as adopted in resolution 2202 (2015). In that regard, we believe that we have a proven and well-established model for settling the conflict in south- eastern Ukraine, one element of which is the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. We do not see any practical benefits of duplicating the functions of the Special Monitoring Mission through any new types of international structure.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“We take a generally positive view of cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE in the field, for example, through the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. We appreciate their collaboration in the Geneva talks on Transcaucasia, which have been an important factor in establishing direct dialogue between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We support the Austrian chairship for its backing of the OSCE's continuing efforts to help settle regional conflicts, and we are willing to cooperate in reaching settlements in Transnistria and Nagorno Karabakh. It is to be hoped that 2017 can bring peace and a political solution in eastern Ukraine, where the armed conflict, which has now lasted more than three years, continues to take new civilian lives.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“Last summer in Kaliningrad, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, organized a seminar for OSCE participating States' focal points on implementing resolution 1540 (2004). In the area of international security information, the OSCE complements the global United Nations efforts to develop confidence-building measures through the use of information and communications technologies. However, there have also been alarming attempts to introduce monitoring mechanisms similar to those of the United Nations into OSCE practices, as well as non-consensus documents of the General Assembly and Human Rights Council.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“We have noted the evolution of the cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE, with major collaboration between the OSCE secretariat's Transnational Threats Department and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in combating trafficking in drugs and small arms, terrorism, organized crime, corruption and money-laundering, as well as in the areas of combating human trafficking and illegal migration. The OSCE's Ministerial Council meetings in Basel in 2014 and Belgrade in 2015 adopted declarations on the issue of cooperation between the two organizations, strengthening the OSCE's role in implementing important United Nations decisions, in particular the Security Council's anti-terrorism resolutions 2170 (2014), 2178 (2014), 2199 (2015) and 2249 (2015).”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“Its focus should be on the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and cyberthreats; the harmonization of integration processes; support for traditional values and the protection of the rights of national minorities; combatting neo-Nazism; reform of the OSCE, including the development of its charter; and the organization of the electoral monitoring work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. We are ready to contribute to that. We see the greatest potential in combating transnational threats, particularly in the context of the immigration crisis, the fight against human trafficking, xenophobia and discrimination, and especially in the protection of the rights of national, religious and linguistic minorities.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“We should like to see constructive cooperation with the Austrian chairmanship of the OSCE and we share its key priorities, aimed at conflict resolution, combatting radicalization and extremism, the restoration of trust among States, and the strengthening of the institutional foundation of the Organization. The OSCE must strive to carry out those functions for which it was created, serving as a platform for equitable dialogue and collective decision-making on security issues.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Kurz, for his comprehensive briefing. We should like to see growing cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations, especially its Chapter VIII. Such cooperation must be regular and multifaceted, encompassing all dimensions of security. The OSCE is designed to assist United Nations mechanisms in the area of their purview within the framework of its mandate. It is important to take into account the comparative advantages of the two organizations and to avoid duplication and the waste of resources.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“While the paragraph in the note on the unpreparedness of the parties to conflict to meet their obligations under existing agreements ascribed them to a lack of political will, our position was that we would hear ideas about how the Security Council could help them to achieve that. We also hoped that our joint efforts would enable us to persuade Kyiv as to the necessity of fulfilling the Minsk agreements, and many delegations have spoken about that today. The Ukrainian authorities must understand that the package of measures is not a dead end but rather a means of salvation for Ukraine that will enable it to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Regrettably, we are not quite certain that we were able to move forward in that direction today.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would once again like to thank the delegations that have expressed their condolences on the death of the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin. Their support at this difficult time is very important to us. With regard to today's meeting, we had hoped that in the light of the concept note prepared by the presidency (S/2017/ 108, annex), we would be able to work together to come up with complementary approaches to finding ways of emerging from the crises in the European region.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Once again, we call on our colleagues to set aside confrontational approaches to ensuring their own security by undermining that of others. Instead, we should seek mutually acceptable solutions to the crises in Europe. Russian policy is based on establishing a shared security and stability space, the basis of our relations with Europe, our good neighbourliness and reciprocal benefits. We are part of a unified continent. We have written history together and achieve success when we work together for the prosperity of our peoples.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“What matters now is not the settlement of the conflict but rather a normalization of relations between Georgia and the two young Republics. That issue was also addressed during the Geneva discussions. The conflict in the Nagorno Karabakh is the most difficult and has the most destructive impact on the Commonwealth of Independent States. The military phase concluded in 1994 with the signing of the ceasefire agreement by the two sides. Since then, to conclude a peace agreement, there have been talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by Russia, the United States and France, drawing upon its relations with Baku and Yerevan to identify agreed approaches. That has to happen on the political and diplomatic tracks exclusively and through dialogue between the sides on the basis of the standards and principles of international law.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“We think that guarantees from the Security Council would be best, rather than from separate countries. The situation in Transnistria remains complicated. We welcome the resumption of international talks in the 5+2 format, as well as bilateral contacts at various levels, including the first meeting in eight years between the President of Moldova and the leader of Transnistria. Our approach to Moldova and its borders as they stood on 1 January 1990, with the guaranteed status for Transnistria, has not changed. We stand ready to act as a mediator and to uphold security guarantees. The conflict in the Caucasus was addressed in August 2008, in particular with respect to the misadventures of Mr. Saakashvili and the emergence of the two independent States of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“We are in favour of internal Bosnian dialogue without outside interference, curtailing the presence of a protectorate, through the apparatus of the High Representative. We believe that it would be destructive to exacerbate the situation with respect to the Republika Srpska in relation to the celebration of Republic Day on 9 January. We think that United States restrictive measures against Bosnian- Serbian leaders are unjustified and baseless. They are unilateral sanctions. Russia's position on Cyprus has not changed. We would like to see an equitable, comprehensive and viable settlement on the island. In the interests of all of its people, we would support Cypriot-led solutions and the inclusion of Security Council members in the discussion of political solutions on the matter of security guarantees.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“We continue to be guided by the idea that the only basis for any settlement of this that matter is resolution 1244 (1999). We believe that high-level dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, with European Union mediation, is a mechanism for normalizing relations between the sides. Implementing the agreement is of key importance, first and foremost, for the creation of the Community of Serb-mahority Municipalities in Kosovo. We are against Kosovo becoming a member of international organizations; the right to represent Kosovo in the international arena belongs exclusively to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. With regard to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we underscore the need for full compliance with the Dayton Peace Agreement.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“The recent thematic report of the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) reports conflict-related difficulties encountered by civilians in eastern Ukraine during the period from May to September 2016. First and foremost, the main problems discussed as a result of Kyiv's special regime for the territories not controlled by the Government are linked to the difficult procedures for crossing the contact line, as well as to the use of State services and the suspension of the payment of pensions and benefits. We note that the United States and France, like other members of the Security Council, allow citizens of Taiwan, who they do not officially recognize, into their countries. A similar situation obtains with regard to the Turkish area of Cyprus. Kosovo highlights another such instance.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“There is no alternative to the Minsk package. Kyiv must begin to implement those agreements, which are required for a political solution. The failure to implement the agreements hinders the settlement process. We were not surprised that the statement of the Ukrainian delegation did not contain even one reference to the Minsk agreements. With respect to allegations that the Russian decision to recognize certain documents from the Donetsk and Lugansk regions allegedly runs counter to the Minsk agreements, I stress that they do not run counter to any of our country's international obligations. They were adopted in the interest of people to ensure that they enjoy their rights and freedoms, in a context in which it seems that the Government of Ukraine is attempting to achieve the opposite.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“If the implementation of that document had not been rejected the very next day and had it not been condoned by the Governments of Germany, Poland and France, it could have saved the country and its people from upheaval. Ukraine is in the throes of a far-reaching crisis. Kyiv is unable to resolve the crisis. They are afraid of losing power because there have been attempts to resolve the situation through military misadventures. The goal is to distract people from the pressing social issues and demonstrate the alleged inability of the Minsk agreements to work. We think that the words of President Poroshenko were particularly cynical. On 16 February, he restated the position that he and his team have long held that we must restore those territories to Ukraine via political and diplomatic means alone.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“At that time, the Council unanimously called upon the sides to restore the ceasefire and to implement the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which continues to be the recognized necessary basis for a peaceful solution. The Agreements must be implemented, as should agreements reached during the talks, including at the level of the Normandy leaders format. Otherwise, the conflict could become frozen. Unfortunately, our concerns were well founded with respect to the Ukrainian delegation and the use of the Security Council for furthering political propaganda. It is unfortunate that this is happening on the very day of the third anniversary of the signing of an agreement by the former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, and the opposition.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“The intention to create equal security for all was the basis for the Russian proposal for a comprehensive agreement on European security. That proposal was presented during the sixty-fourth session ofthe General Assembly, at which time we also did not get positive reactions from our partners. We are convinced that the reckless refutation of that comprehensive security policy became the root cause for the current situation in which old conflicts have remained frozen and new conflicts have emerged in Europe. One of the most pressing issues is the situation in Ukraine, which continues to be difficult and unpredictable, as can be seen from the clashes that took place at the end of January and the beginning of February in Avdiivka.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“For its part, Russia actively attempted to assist in the implementation of the single Europe concept. We would like to remind the Council of the Russian- German initiative of 2010, which sought to create a European Union-Russia committee on matters of foreign policy and security as a forum for discussing a comprehensive agenda. Unfortunately, the European Union decided not to follow through on that promising idea. We are pretty confident that had that initiative been developed further, many conflicts on the continent could have been avoided, including in Ukraine. Instead, we are seeing an extension of NATO to the East. Russia continues to oppose such an approach, because NATO expansion creates a superficial feeling of security while leading, instead, to an unprecedented level of tension in Europe in the past 30 years.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Secondly, in many of those conflicts, there have been clear attempts by the West to intervene from the outside, which has necessarily led to the exacerbation of crises. Thirdly, there is the concept that the solution for conflicts in Europe cannot be military in nature. At the end of the Cold War, there was a real possibility that the European security space could be unified. I would quote the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, of 1990, which set forth that "relations will be founded on respect and cooperation and equal security for all ...". The European representatives in this Chamber have heard many times about the need to ensure indivisible security from Lisbon to Vladivostok, where the security of one State cannot be ensured at the expense of the security of others.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Mr. Lamberto Zannier, and the Secretary General of the European External Action Service of the European Union, Ms. Helga Schmid, for their briefings. The Security Council has a very ambitious mission, namely, to evaluate the entirety of the threats to European security and propose solutions thereto. It is a difficult mission, because each situation that we are discussing today has its own particularities, including historical ones. At the same time, there are unifying factors. First and foremost among them would be the failure of efforts to implement plans to create a single Europe.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“He always sought ways to unify efforts and strike a balance ofinterests, while carefully listening to the Views of his partners in debates. That is why he was respected by all who worked with him, even those who may not have agreed with his approach. The hundreds of calls and letters of condolence that continue to flow into the Russian Mission bear witness to that. Vitaly Ivanovich will always remain in our memory as a principled diplomat of the highest calibre, a leader who demanded much but also upheld the highest standards. I again thank everyone for their kind words.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): The Russian delegation is grateful for the warm words and expressions of condolence on Russia's irreparable loss of Ambassador Vitaly Churkin. We have lost an outstanding diplomat, a great professional, a talented orator and polemicist, and a soulful and kind-hearted person. He had encyclopedic knowledge that he often applied in practice, delving into the finer points of all issues discussed. Working at the forefront of international diplomacy and occupying the most critical posts, Vitaly Ivanovich defended the positions of his country for more than 40 years. Thanks to his talent and brilliant mind, he often found solutions to what seemed to be impossible situations.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source