YouSaid · the spoken record

Safronkov

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808

first

2008-04-30

most recent

2020-03-12

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103

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un-security-council

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1. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to thank Under-Secretaries- General Rosemary DiCarlo and Jean-Pierre Lacroix for their informative briefings on the situation in the Syrian Golan. We believe it is essential to highlight the following points. In the summer of 2018, as a result of measures taken by the Syrian Government with assistance from Russia and in coordination with regional and international partners, the situation in the Syrian Golan underwent major changes and was stabilized. The main obstacle to the full implementation by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) of its mandate, in the form of the presence in the area of separation of various armed groups, including terrorist groups, was removed.”

   2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source

2. “Only active international cooperation, based on common rules, will allow us to resolve the many regional conflicts we face, including that between Palestine and Israel. We call on everyone to engage in that interaction and cooperation.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

3. “Unilateral steps, such as the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, do not change the status of those territories, which is determined by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. The status of those territories is the subject of direct dialogue between Syria and Israel, which was under way until very recently. Such an approach is determined and clearly set out by Secretary-General and the overwhelming majority of States, and fully corresponds to the resolutions that have been adopted by consensus in this very Chamber. There is no doubt that no one party alone will be able to solve the complex of problems in the Middle East. Individual efforts need to be pooled; only a broad and inclusive international coalition will be able to overcome the threat of terrorism.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

4. “History has shown that only a negotiated settlement can guarantee that any resulting agreement will last, which is why all our efforts must be focused on relaunching a political dialogue between the Palestinians and Israelis. In the framework of that dialogue, we will have to work to resolve the complex final-status issues that include the status of Jerusalem, refugees and borders, as well as fundamental aspects of security. The principle of multilateralism, mutually respectful dialogue based on compromise and the quest for negotiated solutions must define the paradigm for solving the problems in relations between Israel and the Arab world.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

5. “We believe that it is essential to ensure that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) can function fully. It is a critical mechanism for reducing the burdens on the Palestinian refugees in the Middle East who have been forced to leave their homes because of war and conflicts. For its part, Russia will continue to help Palestinians both through its contributions to UNRWA's budget and bilaterally. We believe the Agency should continue to be an important and effective mechanism for helping Palestinian refugees until a lasting solution to the refugee problem is found. We see no other way of alleviating the situation of the refugees themselves or of the countries hosting them.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

6. “Russia will continue to take steps to restore positive momentum and a positive agenda to the Palestinian-Israeli question. Our proposal for holding a summit in Russia between the leaders of Palestine and Israel remains on the table. We believe that regional players, particularly Egypt and Jordan, have an important role to play. In our view, the most recent intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow in February represented a contribution to the efforts to overcome the schism in the Palestinian ranks. We emphasize once again that international and regional steps to achieve an intra-Palestinian reconciliation will have effect only if they are undertaken in coordination with the legitimate Administration of the State of Palestine led by President Abbas.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

7. “We urge the Palestinians and Israelis to focus on a negotiating track based on a generally recognized international legal framework that includes the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Madrid principles, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the road map of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators. The Quartet's 2016 report is still relevant, with its clear outline of the steps needed to overcome the negative trends that are obstructing a Middle East settlement. Any viable plans to achieve a comprehensive solution in the Middle East must start from those multilateral decisions and take into account the opinion of the Arab world as reflected in the Arab Peace Initiative, adopted at the Arab League summit in 2002. That is a precondition for any peace process to have effective results.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

8. “Today, when the Middle East and North Africa continue to be troubled by acute conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya, the lack of progress in the resolution of the central problem of Palestine is deeply alarming. The current status quo is not viable. We have no right to put up with this state of affairs. There is an alternative. It involves ramping up our collective efforts to relaunch the negotiation process aimed at realizing a two-State solution based on two States, Palestine and Israel, coexisting in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders. We have a difficult issue on our agenda, that of reviving the channels for dialogue.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

9. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank Mr. Mladenov for his informative briefing on the situation in the Middle East and the occupied Palestinian territories, and on the state of Palestinian-Israeli relations. The Special Coordinator makes it very clear that negative trends have the upper hand today with regard to a settlement in the Middle East, in which we see a logic based on violence whose victims are the civilian population. The latest events confirm the fragility and volatility of the situation. We firmly condemn the firing of rockets from Gaza towards Israeli towns, which has killed civilians, and any kind of terrorism or indiscriminate attacks. We call on all the parties to refrain from using force or taking unilateral steps, including illegal settlement activity and provocative rhetoric.”

   2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source

10. “We look forward to constructive and productive cooperation with all partners in the interests of ensuring the fullest possible implementation of the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004) in order to prevent weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery from falling into the hands of non-State actors.”

    2019-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8487 (2019) · source

11. “In the light ofthe continued activity in the Middle East of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and other terrorist groups, which have acquired the technology for producing chemical weapons use and are making active use of it, the significance of collective efforts to prevent the terrifying problem of chemical terrorism is only increasing. We should act quickly, especially given the fact that as the situation in Syria is resolved, the terrorists, including those with practical experience in the area of chemical weapons, will try to seek refuge in third countries and continue to ply their destructive trade there. For our part, we intend to continue participating actively in the Committee's work.”

    2019-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8487 (2019) · source

12. “Surrounding the Committee with additional bureaucratic structures, limiting the continuity of experts' contracts or artificially promoting radical but unconsidered proposals could lead to additional bureaucratization and create obstacles rather than enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of this important body's activity. Combating the proliferation of WMDs is one of Russia's military and political priorities. Like any other difficult issue, what it needs is concerted, coordinated effort on the part of all States, without exception. We need engagement and cooperation, not confrontation. We are interested in reaching common positions with our partners with the purpose of advancing the non-proliferation agenda as quickly as possible, especially considering that the problems in this area continue to worsen.”

    2019-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8487 (2019) · source

13. “In order to prepare properly for the process it is important first of all to ensure that States, international and regional organizations, business and academic circles develop recommendations and proposals that in the event of a consensus-based adoption will underpin the Committee's new mandate for the period following 25 April 2021. In that regard we believe the Committee could hold an open meeting to which all interested stakeholders would be invited. Brainstorming would help to identify additional directions for cooperation. We want to point out that the approach to assessing the operations of the Committee and its Groups of Experts should be a professional one guided by the principle of "first do no harm".”

    2019-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8487 (2019) · source

14. “International and regional organizations, industry, business, academic and scientific circles and other sectors of civil society play a very important but secondary role in helping States to implement specific provisions. Resolution 2325 (2016), adopted in accordance with the results of the 2016 review process, helped to further strengthen the 1540 Committee's non-proliferation mandate, facilitating the exchange of best practices for its implementation and improving the effectiveness of assistance to States in need of it, while taking their specific requirements into account. We believe firmly that the goal established by resolution 1977 (2011) of conducting comprehensive reviews of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) should be a priority for the Committee.”

    2019-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8487 (2019) · source

15. “The Security Council's adoption of it by consensus in 2004 was the result ofajoint initiative ofRussia and the United States aimed at establishing a robust legal and law-enforcement bulwark to prevent weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) from falling into the hands of non-State actors, including terrorists. That means that for the past 15 years we have been able to work together to identify a problem that is now manifest in extremely serious forms. The particular value of resolution 1540 (2004) consists in the fact that it is a mechanism for cooperation, not coercion or the imposition of so- called solutions. Its adoption launched an era of cooperation in the collective work of countering one of the world's most serious threats to global stability. The responsibility for implementing the resolution lies with States.”

    2019-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8487 (2019) · source

16. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank Ambassador Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia, for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We would like to thank Ambassador Djani and his team for their conscientious stewardship of this subsidiary body of the Security Council. We look forward to productive cooperation in the future and will fully support him in his endeavours. Resolution 1540 (2004) is rightly considered a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation architecture.”

    2019-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8487 (2019) · source

17. “The Moscow consultations formation on Afghanistan and the intra-Afghan dialogue launched in the Russian capital seek solely to achieve lasting and irreversible national reconciliation. We once again affirm our commitment to working in close cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, all political parties in the country and regional and international partners. We call on the Council members to act in a mutually respectful way on the basis of consensus in pursuit of a common solution. In that regard, we note the important role that the People's Republic of China can play in finding a lasting settlement in Afghanistan.”

    2019-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8485 (2019) · source

18. “That gave rise to a counterproductive situation, ultimately undermining our joint efforts to resolve the situation in the country and to achieve national reconciliation. In the Council's future work on Afghanistan, we call on all colleagues to take into account the military and political realities in the country. There must be a realistic assessment of the situation in Afghanistan, which requires strengthening the joint fight against terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Al-Qaida and affiliated terrorist organizations. The ongoing focus must continue to be on combating drug trafficking and the narcotics trade. Regional organizations, in particular the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, continue to play an important role.”

    2019-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8485 (2019) · source

19. “We regret that on this occasion the Council was not able to adopt a substantive resolution, which would have reflected the coordinated approaches of all Security Council members on the issue of Afghanistan. We once again draw attention to the procedure for negotiating resolutions. We understand that the co-authors were trying to bring the Security Council to a consensus but external pressure prevented the work from being conducted in such a way that the consultation process could take into account the wide range of positions. Some of our colleagues decided to ignore the views of a number of Council members, at the last moment changing positions on the previously agreed language.”

    2019-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8485 (2019) · source

20. “The need for such an approach is increasing, in particular at this time, since because Afghanistan is on the verge of fundamental changes in the life of the country and the people. The Afghans themselves must play a key role in resolving national issues. Ensuring the most inclusive peace process in Afghanistan, whose most important task is to seek sustainable national reconciliation, and involving all public and political forces in the country in that process is crucial. We are convinced that stabilization in Afghanistan and addressing the complex challenges facing the country will be possible only through the integrated and consistent approach of the international community. Russia is working to ensure that all Afghan political parties and key external stakeholders act in unity on the basis of common rules.”

    2019-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8485 (2019) · source

21. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): The Russian Federation voted in favour of resolution 2460 (2019) just adopted by the Security Council to extend the mandate the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. We believe that the United Nations Mission has an important role in coordinating international humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. We highly appreciate the courageous and self-sacrificing work of United Nations staff in that country, It is our view that an important precondition for the effectiveness of our joint efforts to resolve the situation in Afghanistan should be the adoption of decisions that are based on a thorough assessment, taking into account the current realities and acknowledgement of the common positions of the international community towards establishing peace in that important State.”

    2019-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8485 (2019) · source

22. “We want to emphasize that all disagreements that arise either in the area of the Blue Line or with regard to the agenda item for Lebanon should be addressed through political dialogue and consultations, as every relevant Security Council resolution makes clear. The fact is that what is going on in this part of the Middle East is the result of many years of conflicts, crises and wars. Stabilizing the situation requires the cooperation of the States concerned with a view to increasing trust and relaunching international efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

23. “We want to emphasize the importance of seeing both parties display a sense of responsibility and restraint and avoid provocative steps and abrasive statements that might further exacerbate an already tense situation in the Middle East. Separately, we would like to focus on the fact that the tunnel problem should not become a reason for hasty conclusions about the functioning of UNIFIL. The mission should not be subjected to politicized aspirations that have little to do with improving its effectiveness. Any efforts to undermine UNIFIL's capacity would be unacceptable, considering that its peacekeepers' work has a stabilizing effect not only along the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel but inside Lebanon itself and in the Middle East generally.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

24. “However, we hope that the action undertaken in that regard will not run counter to the provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) defining the rules of conduct ofthe parties in the area of the Blue Line, which is not an internationally recognized boundary. The commitments relating to it are mutually binding only between the two parties. We welcome the clear messages from the leadership of both the States involved signalling that they do not intend to engage in direct confrontation. We heard a similar message in the conversation between President Vladimir Putin and Prime MinisterNetanyahu. President Aoun, speaking for the Lebanese side, reaffirmed his commitment to resolution 1701 (2006) and expressed his willingness to take all necessary measures to resolve the problem based on the clarification of all the circumstances.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

25. “Right now, it is critical that the parties immediately engage in constructive, professional dialogue aimed at eliminating controversial points. In the Israeli-Lebanon context there are opportunities for that. The existing tripartite mechanism in Naqoura for preventing and resolving incidents works well. We have also taken into consideration UNIFIL's preliminary conclusions about the violation of resolution 1701 (2006). Our view is that all violations of the resolution's provisions must cease, on both sides. That means all of them. We cannot have a selective approach to the resolution's implementation. With regard to the Israeli military's launch of its Operation Northern Shield, we naturally recognize Israel's right to defend its national security, including by preventing any illegal penetration of its territory by anyone.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

26. “One of our most exemplary missions is deployed along the Blue Line, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose peacekeepers are serving in difficult circumstances, considering the general security crisis in the Middle East. Russia has remained in close contact with both the Lebanese and the Israelis, as well as the United Nations personnel, including with regard to the events currently taking place. With regard to the situation that has developed around the discovery of these tunnels, whose existence UNIFIL confirmed in the past few days, we would chiefly like to focus on the following points. While we understand everyone's alarm, for the sake of stability we believe that all the parties should refrain from emotional polemics.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

27. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under- Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his detailed briefing. We also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Israel and of Lebanon in today's meeting. At the outset, we would like to point out that the Russian Federation has historically maintained friendly, constructive and mutually respectful relations with both Lebanon and Israel. We therefore support both States' right to peaceful development without challenges to their national security or violations of their sovereignty. That is why we firmly believe that maintaining a calm environment on the line of separation between Lebanon and Israel is essential not only to preventing any escalation in the area, but for ensuring stability more broadly.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

28. “Despite the evolving realities, we must help to create conditions there that are conducive to strengthening a general atmosphere of trust, which is hugely important to the relations between the Arab States, Israel and Iran. We would like to remind members that in its resolution 598 (1987), the Security Council directed the Secretary- General to work with regional stakeholders on measures to strengthen security and stability in the region. It is time to implement that resolution. In that context, we believe that the Russian blueprint for security in the Persian Gulf could be very helpful. Russia stands ready to work on all of those aspects, and others, with interested partners on a basis of openness and impartiality.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

29. “Russia will continue to play an active role in restoring peace in Israel, Palestine and the entire Middle East in its capacity as a permanent member of the Security Council and a participant in the Middle East Quartet, which remains the only mediation format approved in Security Council resolutions. Our offer to convene a summit in Russia between the leaders of Palestine and Israel is still on the table. We will continue to assist the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, whose critical humanitarian activities have an important stabilizing effect in the Palestinian territories and the countries of the Middle East. In conclusion, we want to once again call for genuine collective efforts in the Middle East.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

30. “Russia will continue to maintain its principled and consistent position that a comprehensive and lasting settlement between Palestinians and Israelis and Arabs and Israelis can be achieved on the basis of internationally recognized principles, including the Security Council's resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, the Madrid principles - including the principle ofland for peace - and the two-State formula, which provides for the creation, through negotiations, of an independent State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with Israel. Policies that seek to change the facts on the ground are unacceptable, and we reject violence in any form. We consider the expansion of Israeli settlements, the demolition of Palestinian property and the expulsion of Palestinian families to be illegal.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

31. “Itisurgentthatweintensify ourcollective diplomacy in order to prevent a collapse of the efforts that the international community - all of us - have jointly undertaken, including in the Security Council, for the sake of ensuring the conditions for implementing the only viable solution, which is the establishment of two States through direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis. It is direct dialogue that can find answers to all final status issues regarding Jerusalem, refugees, borders and security. Dismissing those problems will not work. Any future deal must take account of these issues, which are so sensitive and significant for both parties.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

32. “Implementing its recommendations would enable us to stop the violence, whose victims are Palestinians and Israelis alike, and to tackle the familiar destabilizing factors hindering progress on the political process, including the settlement activities and the rupture between the West Bank and Gaza. Bringing that sector back under the control of the legitimate authorities in Ramallah under the leadership of President Abbas would strengthen the international community's humanitarian efforts there. We should emphasize in particular that every step taken should be geared to ensuring and restoring Palestinian unity.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

33. “We have regretfully had to conclude that against a backdrop of increasingly frequent attempts to aggressively revise previously settled agreements aimed at achieving sustainable Palestinian-Israeli and Arab- Israeli settlements on an internationally recognized basis, the prospects for a resumption of the negotiation process are still faint. The misunderstanding and mistrust between Palestinians and Israelis is growing constantly. Aggressive attitudes are intensifying and violence, unilateral measures and provocative rhetoric are coming to the fore. But there is an alternative to the current developments, which entails implementing the steps outlined in the 2016 report of the Middle East Quartet.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

34. “And, of course, through our joint efforts we can sort out the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. We can say that based on our experience of friendly relations with the Arab States, Palestine and Israel. The foundations for our cooperation exist. They are based on international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and many Security Council resolutions. Our main tools should be dialogue and mediation, and we should refrain from unilateral steps. We cannot achieve lasting solutions to these crises any other way. The need for urgent collective action is greatest with regard to the Palestinian-Israeli issue, which is at the epicentre of the turmoil in the Middle East. Resolving it is key to improving the situation in the entire region.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

35. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to thank Mr. Mladenov for his briefing on developments in the Middle East. The situation in this region plagued by crises old and new remains problematic and demands considerable collective efforts, including by the Security Council. The only way we can make progress on stabilizing and normalizing the situation in the region is by acting together, regardless of the differences in our approaches. By presenting the broadest possible united front, which Russia's President Vladimir Putin has called for, we can achieve substantive breakthroughs in combating terrorism. Together we can end the bloodshed in Yemen, stabilize Libya, help Syrian refugees return home, tackle the global migration crisis, support normalization in Iraq and end the stalemate in other crises.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

36. “Geir Pedersen, the new Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, who we know is an experienced and impartial diplomat, will base his efforts on the robust foundation established in the Geneva, Astana and Sochi forums.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8406 (2018) · source

37. “As the leaders of the four States said in their joint statement in Istanbul on 27 October, we intend to start the work by the end of this year, circumstances permitting. As before, we believe that all the parameters for the committee's operations, including its structure, composition and rules of procedure, should be decided by the Syrians themselves. That is the only way to ensure that it is effective and fit for purpose. Any attempt to dictate how or what to do to the Syrians is a sure way to a dead end. And we suggest that we all get to work collectively instead of asking each other questions. That would help us to solve a lot of the problems quickly and really get the political process moving under the exclusive leadership of the Syrians themselves. We hope that as he begins his duties in early December, Mr.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8406 (2018) · source

38. “In that connection, we share the concerns of the United Nations about the consequences for civilians of the military operation is conducted in that area. We also want to remind the Council of the results of the coalition forces' bombardment of Raqqa, where mass graves have been found. At the end of November, we plan to hold the next Astana format meeting with our partners in the process. We are trying to make progress on the political front with regard to implementing the Syrians" decision in Sochi to set up a constitutional committee. Needless to say, it was a decision taken by the Syrians themselves in response to the prolonged stagnation of the peace process, and it has given momentum to the United Nations-led intra-Syrian dialogue that Mr. De Mistura has been shepherding for the past few years under resolution 2254 (2015).”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8406 (2018) · source

39. “At the same time processes for organizing refugees' voluntary return and rebuilding the country are being established, but it would greatly help our efforts if our Western partners joined these processes in a constructive spirit and stopped violating Syrian sovereignty and illegally occupying its territory. Another point I want to make is that we are once again calling on our partners to stop using phrases such as "the Syrian regime". No one has certified the use of such definitions or labels anywhere. What should be happening is that more attention should be paid to Syria's reports ofindiscriminate coalition air strikes east of the Euphrates that have killed dozens of people and should be investigated.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8406 (2018) · source

40. “Believe me, that would be a much more meaningful contribution to our efforts to reach a settlement than endless, unfounded questions and demands on Russia and other States about what to do and how to do it. In parallel with progress on the military front, there has been also been progress on political cooperation. There is ongoing constructive dialogue between the Russian and United States specialists. A significant summit was held in Istanbul at which leaders from Russia, Turkey, France and Germany made major decisions, and work is currently under way to implement them.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8406 (2018) · source

41. “A number of attempts by Al-Nusra militias and groups associated with them to infiltrate Aleppo have been suppressed. Civilians in the western part of the city have been killed by jihadist shelling. The Turks are making serious efforts under their existing obligations to separate the moderates from the terrorist groups. That would be greatly facilitated by having those who prepared, financed and sent those groups to Syria in the early stages of the conflict with the aim of ousting the legitimate Government - thereby crudely violating the Charter of the United Nations and the principle of non-interference in States' internal affairs - educate them on the situation.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8406 (2018) · source

42. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank Mr. De Mistura for his briefing and his long service in his position. Possibly for the first time in the history of the Syrian crisis, today an overwhelming majority of the members of the Security Council have made the important admission that the situation in Syria is really continuing to stabilize. This trend began in October 2015 when at the request of the Syrian Government the Russian Federation began a counter-terrorist operation in Syria. Today we can say that the greater part of Syrian territory has been cleared of terrorists. We are worried about the activities of terrorist groups in Idlib, which are violating the de-escalation agreements and putting them in jeopardy.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8406 (2018) · source

43. “Israelis, Palestinians, Saudis and Iranians all deserve to live in prosperity and security, but if that goal is to be achieved, the regional security architecture must be comprehensive and indivisible, and diplomacy and dialogue channels must be brought to bear. We believe that Russia's security concept for the Persian Gulf constitutes a good basis for launching efforts in that direction. History has shown us that we can succeed in the Middle East only when we work together according to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source

44. “We will continue our financial and political assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA's work is vital, as it has an important stabilizing effect in the Palestinian territories and the countries of the Middle East. It must be able to survive and function fully. In conclusion, we want to once again urge our colleagues in the Council to refrain from making threats and unfounded accusations, and instead do the essential work of strengthening the overall atmosphere of trust in the Security Council, the Near and Middle East and North Africa and to abandon policies of confrontation once and for all.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source

45. “The holding of municipal elections in the occupied Syrian Golan by Israeli authorities is equally unacceptable and illegitimate. This dangerous step, which violates more than one Council resolution, could have far-reaching negative consequences for a Middle East settlement as a whole. Russia's position remains consistent. We maintain and develop relations with all the States in the region based on a positive agenda. We support a resumption of active efforts by the Middle East Quartet ofinternational mediators, which is still the only mediation format approved by Security Council resolutions. Russia's proposal for hosting a summit between the leaders of Palestine and Israel is still on the table, and we want to point out that the Palestinian leader has repeatedly confirmed his agreement with that initiative.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source

46. “It is through the direct dialogue format that we can work to find answers to all final status issues, including those regarding Jerusalem, refugees, borders and all the security issues that are crucial to the region. These sensitive issues cannot just be taken off the negotiating table before the parties can discuss them. If they are not settled, they will still surface as painful shocks for everyone. The policy of creating faits accomplis on the ground in an attempt to anticipate the outcome of a bilateral discussion ofthese issues is not acceptable. We consider the expansion of Israeli settlements, the demolition of Palestinian property and the eviction of Palestinian families illegal, in contravention of international law and detrimental to a two-State solution.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source

47. “We hope it will be sustainable and long-term, that it will enable the international community to mobilize efforts to improve the dismal humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and focus on advancing the political process. Of course, we particularly emphasize that any assistance to the Gaza Strip should be carried out in close coordination with the legitimate Palestinian authorities, led by President Abbas, and should conform to the goal of restoring Palestinian unity. We urgently need to mobilize our collective diplomacy in order to prevent the failure of the efforts that all of us in the international community have made together to establish the conditions for implementing the only viable solution there is, a two-State solution based on direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source

48. “What is now front and centre is not the call for peace and peaceful initiatives but violence, unilateral measures and provocative rhetoric. In the Gaza Strip, where only recently much effort had succeeded in creating a relative lull, the tensions have not subsided. A willingness to show restraint must be maintained. Actions resulting in civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip and in Israel should be firmly condemned. Considering the current worsening of the Palestinian-Israeli issue, we have been urging the parties to immediately end hostilities. We appreciate and support the mediation efforts of Egypt and the United Nations to restore the ceasefire.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source

49. “The result is that it blocks any movement towards achieving a comprehensive, sustainable Arab-Israeli settlement and resolution of the Palestinian question on internationally recognized foundations, which include the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, the Madrid principles, including the principle of land for peace, and the two-State formula, which provides for the creation through negotiations of a State of Palestine coexisting in peace and security with Israel. Against a backdrop - repudiated by the entire international community - of aggressive revision of agreements previously arrived at, including in the Security Council, any prospects for a resumption of the negotiation process are receding. The gulf of misunderstanding and mistrust between Palestinians and Israelis is widening.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source

50. “Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to Mr. Mladenov for his briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. That is the way the agenda item we developed together is written, so let us abide by it. We deplore the fact that the status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories, the epicentre of the potential for conflict in the Middle East, is untenable, consisting as it does of an endless series of crises.”

    2018-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8405 (2018) · source