YouSaid · the spoken record

Safronkov

lines on the record: 808
first: 2008-04-30
most recent: 2020-03-12
sittings or episodes: 103
sources: un-security-council

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“We note the statement from Pretoria and would like to read it out loud. "[T]he assistance provided to the Bushehr related to emergency repairs undertaken in accordance with South Africa's international obligations to assist a vessel in distress". (S/2017/515, para. 28) All of the actions undertaken were in line with South Africa's international commitments, since the ship was forced to stop owing to an emergency. I Wish to devote further attention to the following circumstance. With regard to the leaks that appeared in the media some time ago from parts of the then still unpublished report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015), we would stress the fact that such actions are unacceptable.”
2017-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7990 (2017) · source
“In the cases of some of the incidents a number of States have carried out investigations in accordance with their respective legislation without reaching any result. Unproven, unsubstantiated facts have no place in the report. It is unacceptable to use in the report information that is unsubstantiated by concrete information, even if such information comes from a Member State. Such information must first be conveyed to the Security Council, which is authorized to take decisions on follow- up steps, including the carrying out of professional, objective and impartial investigations. We do not understand the allegation that the Iranian vessel Bushehr, which stopped for repairs in a South African port, could have been in violation of any obligations under resolution 2231 (2015).”
2017-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7990 (2017) · source
“At the same time, we would like to flag some specific provisions of the report, so as to avoid repetition of such mistakes in the future. For example, the calls upon Iran to avoid ballistic missile launches carry far-reaching political ramifications that could potentially increase tensions in the region. Such statements have no place in that kind of report, which is devoted exclusively to the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015). The resolution includes a call that allows no misinterpretation, namely, a call upon Iran to refrain from launching ballistic missiles that are built in such a way as to carry a nuclear warhead. We also find it dubious that the weapons found on the vessel seized in the summer of 2016 were of Iranian origin or were being transported from Iran. Nor is there proof of other cases quoted in the report.”
2017-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7990 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General for preparing the latest biannual report (S/2017/515) on the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015). We note the professional work of Mr. Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy and Security Council Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) and his team. For us, one thing is clear. The arrangements concluded two years ago on the Iranian nuclear programme must serve as a basis for cooperation and not a source of confrontation. In that regard, we note that, compared with the two previous reports, we see a serious attempt by the Secretary- General to give the text a more calibrated nature.”
2017-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7990 (2017) · source
“For now, it is important that we avoid any provocation and prevent any unilateral acts, and that we support the significant political momentum that the discussions in Astana and the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva represent.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“However, we once again affirm our position that Russia will continue to insist on a comprehensive, professional and politically impartial investigation of chemical attacks - not just in Khan Shaykhun but also with regard to any other occurrence, or recurrence, of chemical terrorism in Syria and Iraq - as provided for in resolution 2319 (2016). With regard to extending the mandate of the OPCW- United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism for another year, its geographic scope and counter-terrorism dimension must be expanded. An objective investigation is the only way to get to the truth - not based on the fabrications of terrorists, extremists, opposition members, their foreign sympathizers and sponsors and non-governmental organizations and all their efforts to blame Damascus.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“Needless to say, all of this should take place under the leadership and oversight of State entities. Russia is committed to strengthening the non-proliferation regime, including within the framework of the 1540 Committee, and will make every possible effort to deal with this challenge. With regard to the statement by the representative of the United States, I would like to point out that Syria's armed forces pose no threat to the American specialists. We have no information about anything like that, whatever the reports may be.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“We believe that we should work actively to define the national and regional components for implementing resolution 1540 (2004). We should study best practices and conduct seminars for points of contact, because their benefits are clear. A number of Member States, including Russia, have already commendedthe seminars that have been held for national points of contact, and we welcome the intention of the People's Republic of China to organize a similar event in August. In order to improve the effectiveness of the Committee's work, we should draw on the capacities of international and regional organizations and ensure that their planned tasks conform with States' requests. We also support the involvement of the scientific and business communities.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“Such a convention could cover the advances that the international community has approved in recent years, particularly through provisions criminalizing activities falling within its purview, defining jurisdictions and appropriate levels of legal response, implementing the principle of extradite-or- prosecute, and so forth. It is clear that traditional views of what constitutes arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation are gradually blurring. Effectively, the entire area has acquired a new element and another dimension - the counter-terrorism dimension. The so-called Islamic State's acquisition of the industrial capacity to produce chemical weapons and the danger of their proliferation throughout the Middle East serve to emphasize the relevance of Russia's efforts to formulate the such a convention.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“We need to see a tough reaction from the Council to any violations of the resolution. Any assistance to non-State actors in acquiring WMDs or the materials, components and technologies used in their production is impermissible. Only collaborative efforts on the part of all Member States to implement the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004) can ensure successful results. We support the appeals that Ms. Nakamitsu made on the subject in her briefing. The issue of combating terrorist attacks is so acute that the machinery designed to enable resolution 1540 (2004) to carry out its vital function is not enough. We would therefore like to remind the Council of Russia's initiative concerning the drafting of an international convention on the fight against acts of chemical or biological terrorism.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“The proliferation of that knowledge is as much ofa threat as is the use of such WMDs. We support strengthening the counter-terrorist aspects of non-proliferation. We understand how urgent it is to find responses to new challenges and threats. In the light of the current terrorist activities in Syria and Iraq by the so-called Islamic State, the Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups, the significance of resolution 1540 (2004) can only grow. The Council should thoroughly investigate and respond to any reports that non-State actors may have gained access to chemical weapons, with an objective, impartial and professional investigation with no potential for politicization. The process should be based on credible and verifiable facts and should avoid any potential for deliberate disinformation.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“Ballard that this is no longer a mere threat but a harsh reality. The events in the Middle East are a clear example of that, and serve to emphasize the relevance of our meeting today. The threat of chemical and biological terrorism is becoming ever greater in scale and in its transborder nature. We have heard again and again about militants from the Islamic State and other groups using industrial chemicals, and even chemical warfare substances, for terroristpurposes, facts thathave been confirmed- even officially confirmed - by the Western intelligence community. With regard to such crimes, we would in particular like to emphasize that we must realize that, over the past five or six years, extremist organizations have gained considerable experience not just in using chemical weapons but in manufacturing them.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“Ensuring that every country can fully implement it is one of the international community's pressing tasks, and it is our hope that today's debate will be a major contribution to tackling that global challenge. Resolution 1540 (2004) remains the sole universal international document on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), obliging all countries to establish effective national systems for controlling WMDs, their delivery systems and related materials, and preventing them from falling into the hands of non-State actors. That goal has taken on major significance in the wake of the unprecedentedly complex and numerous regional conflicts taking place in the world today. The terror organizations involved in them have access to the technology and infrastructure needed to develop and use chemical weapons. We agree with Mr.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We welcome you, Mr. President, in your capacity as Chair ofthe Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We listened with great interest to your statement and the briefings by Ms. Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and Mr. Ballard, representing the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). We are also grateful to the Bolivian chairship of the Committee for its responsible and professional leadership of that subsidiary body of the Council. Resolution 1540 (2004), initiated jointly by Russia and the United States in 2004, is one of the pillars of non-proliferation.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985 (2017) · source
“Once again we repeat that the complex problems in Afghanistan can be solved only on the basis of broad, sincere cooperation at international and regional levels. The task of harmonizing the approaches of external players is becoming more urgent. Addressing that task with a view to achieving sustainable national reconciliation in Afghanistan is the very purpose of the Moscow negotiations.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We deem the demand by Afghan members of Parliament to clarify the situation well grounded, and we expect the United Nations Mission to provide a comprehensive report on those events. Narcotics pose a serious threat to stability in Afghanistan and its neighbours, and to our friends and allies in Central Asia. We are troubled by data showing that drug production and poppy crops are once again expanding. The rise in income from drug trafficking is inevitably spurring terrorist activity. In that regard, we call for international efforts to be stepped up in combating Afghan drug trafficking. We see good potential for bolstering counter-narcotics cooperation between Afghanistan and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We are very troubled by the intensification of the capabilities of Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham in Afghanistan. The ranks of that group are being filled. Its devastating potential is growing. The problem is dangerous and must not be ignored or glossed over. We have received reports of flights of unidentified aircraft that have been observed providing assistance to Afghan militants. The scale and scope of those flights are expanding. They are already reaching the provinces of Sari Pul, Farah Kandahar, Herat and Nangarhar. The flights often end as soon as the Afghan authorities publish the relevant information. We need to keep the situation under close review and we need to clamp down on that type of cove activities.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“In that regard, we support the arrangements reached between President Ahmadzai of Afghanistan and Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan at the Astana meeting. However, instead of making progress on a unification agenda, some of our partners would appear to resort to baseless allegations and rhetoric, including against Russia. I would like to point out that many years ago Russia was one ofthe first countries to draw the attention of the international community and the Afghans to the spike in terror activity in the northern part of the country. Our country made a significant contribution to counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan, including in cooperation with the United States and NATO. We are referring to the transit of military cargo, supplying helicopters and the training of Afghan troops.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We must acknowledge that the main tasks facing the international military presence in the country over the past 15 years remain unrealized. In many cases, the situation has actually gotten worse. We are not looking to accuse anyone, as that is not our political practice. Let me make it clear to everyone that that is not our goal. The task of reaching a settlement in Afghanistan requires a consolidation of international and regional efforts. Only our collective joint efforts will allow us to unravel the complex tangle of problems and move the country towards stable development in an atmosphere of cooperation and good neighbourliness. That is the only way in which counter-terrorism efforts will yield the necessary benefits.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“On the other hand, narrow formats clearly do not take into account the interests of many of the countries of the region, which also negatively affects the results of their work. In that regard, we are convinced that the launch of the Moscow talks on Afghanistan at the beginning of the year is an inclusive and the most promising method for establishing direct and constructive dialogue on issues concerning national reconciliation. The refusal of certain States to participate in those talks for no specific reason has left us perplexed. Given that India and Pakistan have become full members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and that Afghanistan and Iran have applied, the prospects for national reconciliation can only grow.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“In that vein, what is increasingly important with regard to stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan is the task of achieving national reconciliation. We support the corresponding efforts undertaken by Kabul in that respect. We proceed from the premise that the process must be guided and implemented by the Afghans themselves. We are ready to provide assistance in promoting that, including through flexibly approaching issues that concern potentially loosening the sanctions regime of the relevant Security Council committees. At the same time, we note the decreasing effectiveness of many of the international mechanisms for supporting national reconciliation in Afghanistan, which seem to involve too many actors.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Afghanistan has always been and will remain a friend of Russia. In that regard, the recent series of terrorist attacks that recently swept the country have weighed heavily on us. We extend our sincere condolences to the Government and the people of Afghanistan for the victims of those appalling crimes. We express our solidarity with those from the diplomatic corps who suffered from those attacks. We are seriously concerned about the growing internal political and military tension within the country. Afghanistan is seemingly unable to break the vicious cycle of violence, and the situation continues to grow worse, with low levels of economic growth and the increasing terrorist threat. This string ofproblems is a major burden for the people of Afghanistan, including its selfless armed forces.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, for his comprehensive analysis of the situation in Afghanistan. We listened with interest to the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, Mr. Mahmoud Saikal. We agree with the assessments made in the report (S/2017/508) of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan. We support the personal efforts of Secretary-General Guterres with regard to ensuring a sustainable Afghan settlement. In that regard, we echo the profound and far-reaching statement by the representative of Kazakhstan. Afghanistan needs to become an active participant in future regional and integrational processes.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We think that pooling cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States would serve this cause. The joint meeting between the Security Council and the League of Arab States in Cairo in May 2016 created a necessary foundation for these endeavours. However, we must realize that the situation in the Middle East can be improved only with the formation of a broad front of States working to suppress the terrorist threat. Today the relevant initiative - presented by the President of Russia, Mr. Vladimir Putin, to the General Assembly in September 2015 (see A/70/PV.13) - is gaining even more relevance. Russia stands ready to engage in collective work, and it is in constant contact with all States of the region.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“It was an appeal to take swift steps to halt the mass exodus of Christians from Middle Eastern countries. That was also the goal of the 7 April Tashkent joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States, with regard to the inadmissibility of discrimination and intolerance against Christians, Muslims and membersof other religions. History has many nuances but one thing remains clear. We established the Security Council to bring Member States together, not divide them. Today's review of the situation in the Middle East underscores an indisputable fact - resolving the numerous problems, new and old, in this long-suffering region is possible only through political and diplomatic means and collective efforts. A choice must be made for dialogue and engagement, rather than isolation and animosity.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“Russia is making its contribution to reinstating Palestinian unity and notes the efforts of other States, in particular the Arab Republic of Egypt. We would like to call the attention of the Security Council to the fact that the destabilization of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa has a most serious impact on the Christians living there and on other religious and ethnic minorities. Extremists draw upon ethnic and religious factors to incite hatred and fill their own ranks. Russia continues its efforts to curb attacks on Christians and other minorities, as well as to prevent the fragmentation of civilizations and religions. That is the very lens through which we should consider the joint statement of February last year issued by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Rus' and Pope Francis in Havana.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“To that end, we continue to make efforts to bring about the resumption of direct political dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis, bilaterally and in other formats. Our initiative to convene a meeting between President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Moscow remains on the table. We would like to see a speedy resumption of activity from the Middle East Quartet of international mediators. Let us not forget about the issue of inter-Palestinian divisions. Regrettably, such divisions are also at their lO-year mark. Effectively overcoming divisions on the basis of the political platform of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Arab Peace Initiative is in line with the national interests of all Palestinians and will serve to improve the situation in Gaza and create a sound basis for the success ofa future political process.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“They should lead to the creation of an independent, viable Palestinian State with contiguous borders, existing side by side in peace with Israel, within safe and recognized borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital and West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. We see no alternative to the two-State solution. We believe that it is the only realistic manner in which to halt the face-off between Israel and Palestine and the claims they levy against each another. We call upon Palestinians and Israelis to refrain from using violence and unilateral actions that might skew the outcome of the peace process. That pertains to the building of Israeli settlements on occupied Palnestinian territory. We are sure that, more than ever today, there is a need to take practical steps to break the dangerous deadlock in the peace process.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“We firmly believe that a just solution to the Palestinian problem is of key importance for improving the situation in the entire region. If not solved, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine will continue to taint international affairs, frustrate efforts to settle other regional crises and fuel terrorism. In that regard, we advocate a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of international law. That includes Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, which was just affirmed by His Excellency Mr. Aboul-Gheit. We are sure that a lasting solution to the conflict can be found through direct talks between sides, without preconditions. Such talks should lead to an end to Israel's occupation of Arab land that began in 1967.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“With the rise of international terrorism to the centre stage of global affairs as the main threat, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been unfairly pushed into the background. In that adverse context, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict continues to deepen. The two-State prospect is waning. Rather than addressing it, destabilizing factors fraught with risk of escalation have only worsened. They now loom large over Gaza. The absence of a political horizon is due to a chronic stalemate in the peace process. It has reinforced a sense of despair for the average person, first and foremost in Palestine. As a consequence, radicals have been given additional room for manoeuvre. Russia's position on the Middle East conflict has remained guided by principle and consistency.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to thank Mr. Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General; His Excellency Mr. Aboul-Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States; and Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, member of The Elders, for their detailed briefings. The fiftieth anniversary of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory on the West Bank of the Jordan River and the Gaza Strip occurs at a time of turbulent transformation of the Middle East and North Africa. Russia condemns terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations. We are outraged and express our condolences to all who have fallen victim to such heinous crimes.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“All activities of the world Organization should be underpinned by the principles of objectivity, impartiality and assistance to the Libyans in unifying their State and resolving Libya's current problems, first and foremost in the field of combating terrorism. It is quite clear that the United Nations work on Libya must be based on the consolidated support of foreign players, which in turn must act according to the same rules of the game. Russia and Libya are linked by long-standing friendly relations, and we have always championed a unified, flourishing Libya. Our actions are guided by the objective of rapidly resolving the challenges facing today's Libya, which require joint regional and international efforts. We stand ready to participate in any such work.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7964 (2017) · source
“We underscore that international and regional efforts to reach a settlement in Libya must be forged on the basis of an understanding and assessment of the priority tasks necessary to unite the country and its Government institutions, including of course the structures of power. This applies to assistance in the military field, including in conducting training programmes. Libyans must feel that their international partners are not interested in creating new divisive lines such as those that in recent years have prevented Libya from re-establishing its statehood. Any policy in this field that is careless or disconnected from reality could lead to further mistakes. We cherish the hope that the mediation role of the United Nations will lead to success.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7964 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We support the initiative to extend for a further year the special control regime on the high seas off the coast of Libya, established under resolution 2292 (2016), with the objective of ensuring respect for the Security Council's arms embargo. Those measures apply to flows both into Libya and out of Libya. Such special instruments can be useful, as the Libyan crisis remains a serious source of regional instability, accompanied by illicit trafficking in arms. We expect more effective inspection actions in that maritime area, which must take place with unswerving compliance for international law. It is, unfortunately, difficult to refer to last year's outcomes as impressive.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7964 (2017) · source
“It puts the security of neighbouring countries in a precarious position. Once again, we call on both the United States and the Republic of Korea to reconsider the expediency of such a step and think about its long-term consequences. We encourage others in the region to not be tempted to get involved in such destabilizing efforts. It is now more important than ever to find a political solution. Some of our partners say that they are ready to renew contacts with Pyongyang, but under certain conditions. If we speak to one another in the language of ultimatums we will never move forward. The situation on the Korean peninsula and other acute contemporary crises require that we start working together as quickly as possible. Russia stands ready to start that kind of work.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“In that regard, we are convinced that, when it comes to humanitarian efforts, the United Nations must fulfill its duty. Dehumanizing the decisions and actions regarding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and other situations of crisis is unacceptable, regardless of how difficult those situations are. The reason for the tension on the peninsula is not just Pyongyang's nuclear missile programme. It also has to do with increased military activity by some regional and especially extra-regional States in North-East Asia. Another destabilizing factor is the recent deployment of components of the United States THAAD missile defence system on the territory of the Republic of Korea. We have repeatedly stated that such a move undermines the existing military balance in the region.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“In that context, Chinese proposals on the two- pronged freeze to North Korea's nuclear missile programmes and the United States-South Korean exercises, while advancing the solutions to the problems that the peninsula is facing, deserve serious attention. We are ready to promote international efforts and in particular those of the United Nations aimed at a diplomatic detente on the Korean peninsula. We welcome the Secretary-General's intention to raise the profile of the United Nations in resolving the tension around the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. In order to find a formula for normalizing the situation, we ought not forget that sanctions against North Korea should not lead to a strangulation of its 25 million ordinary citizens, the vast majority of whom need urgent assistance.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“Instead of starting to sort through the backlog that has accumulated in bilateral relations, Washington is doing the direct opposite, taking unfriendly steps that only complicate the normalization of our dialogue and cooperation in international affairs. Pyongyang's reckless endeavours should not give rise to an increase in military activity in the region and, even more so, the implementation of plans to use force. Confrontational logic is fraught with catastrophic consequences for both the Korean peninsula and the region as a whole. To us, it is absolutely clear that the choice should be made in favour of maximizing the use of diplomatic tools.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“It concerned three Russian companies and one Russian citizen. The step is perplexing and deeply disappointing. We have repeatedly said that the mechanism of unilateral restriction is illegal from the point of view of international law. Practice shows the ineffectiveness of such measures and the destructiveness of the approach. The sledgeshammer of sanctions gets used as a universal method for solving world problems, instead of diplomatic tools. That fully applies to the recent decision of Washington, which does not contribute to the settlement of the situation around the Korean peninsula. It is necessary to note that, after the change of Administration in the United States, sanctions by inertia remain a constant in American policy. That includes attempts to apply those sanctions to Russian organizations and citizens.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“If any colleagues have relevant, convincing evidence about Pyongyang's guilt on the matter, then we stand ready to look at it. The facts that we have at our disposal say the following. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a member of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and no claims against it have been made under the Convention. We also know that Pyongyang, while not a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, nevertheless actively encouraged Malaysia to involve the expertise of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the investigation of the murder of Kim Jong-nam, the final results of which have not yet been made public. We would like to hear explanations from the United States regarding the broadening of American sanctions, announced on 1 June, against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“Supporters of maintaining the reference to resolution 1540 (2004) should understand that by doing so they undermine the inherent spirit of cooperation and interaction. In addition, countries that are already wary of this non-proliferation document are given an additional argument in favour of non-compliance. We also have serious doubts about the mention in the text of some other WMD programmes. The presence of that passage requires convincing evidence. The Security Council has no right to make mistakes and must operate with real facts, not with assumptions. We remember how the United States initiated a war against Iraq under the false pretext of the presence of WMDs in Baghdad. At the moment, there is no evidence that Pyongyang is developing chemical- or biological-weapons programmes.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“There is no direct connection between the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and the actions of the authorities in Pyongyang. The practice of mentioning it in the context of sanctions must be stopped. It is counterproductive, especially for resolution 1540 (2004) itself. Russia has repeatedly stated that resolution 1540 (2004) primarily serves as a platform for cooperation among States in order to prevent materials for weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of non-State actors. Without cooperation, it is impossible to achieve that goal at the global level. Attempts to drag the resolution into enforcement mechanisms will not work, especially in national jurisdictions.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): Russia supported today's adoption of the new resolution 2356 (2017), concerning sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The resolution we have just adopted demands that Pyongyang stop its inappropriate behaviour and submit to the legitimate demands of the international community. Missile launches, especially those carried out without warning, are unacceptable. They are not only a threat to transport security in the region, but also to the lives of people. At the same time, we would like to draw attention to some controversial points of the resolution that we have just adopted. Of course, Pyongyang is violating the sanctions imposed on it. However, it does not supply components of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to non-State actors.”
2017-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7958 (2017) · source
“Why do our colleagues not report to the Security Council about what their countries are doing to bring a political settlement closer? We call once again on Council members to refrain from the kind of fruitless and inappropriate rhetoric whose rules Council members have flouted when flinging unacceptable provocations on us and other countries. We propose instead that we concentrate on making specific contributions to ending the war in Syria and assisting in its reconstruction. We stand ready to work together there.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“One set of ideas is applied when considering Syria, a completely different set of ideas when it comes to Iraq, and yet a third set for Yemen. What does this mean? Does it mean that different kinds of people live in Middle East? Are there three different classes of citizens living there? Let us at least be honest. I must state in conclusion that regardless of the tenor of our meetings, whether it is an acute polemic or legendary diplomatic politeness, our Western partners exploit these public meetings to make unjustified accusations against us, which verges on insulting. The only question we hear is: What should Russia do about Syria? What we are doing is obvious, overt and known to all. We constantly inform the Council about what we are doing.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“It is the constant clashes among illegal groups that are hindering humanitarian activity, inflicting suffering on innocent people. How long will we have to wait before those who support and train the Syrian armed opposition can knock some sense into those people? We cannot help but be worried by the fact that we are seeing a rising number of victims among civilians in the areas controlled by the United States-led opposition. If they promote fairness and justice, why did they fail to mention that? We have pointed out the illegal nature of these operations on many occasions. They violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, which we have strongly emphasized in many Security Council resolutions. We cannot agree with the approach of some of our partners to humanitarian situations in hot spots of the Middle East.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“The difficulties with delivering supplies to Damascus suburbs have been intentionally exaggerated, following the direction of fighters associated with terrorist groups and non-governmental organizations that are at their beck and call, including the infamous White Helmets, in order to exert additional pressure on the authorities in Damascus. But the activities carried out by the White Helmets are very well known to the United Nations and in the region. It turns out, for example, that the the hospitals and clinics that many non-governmental organizations have claimed to have been destroyed are intact and working. The Al-Wafidin corridor has allowed for the provision of food supplies, which has caused the prices for foodstuffs at local markets to drop considerably.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“The main problem today is that neither the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons nor the Joint Investigative Mechanism have taken the steps necessary to carry out their mandate, including by sending specialists to Khan Shaykoun and the Shairat air base, even though we raised the issue with them. Damascus is ready to work with them but, despite the fact that it has been brought up, the Secretary-General's report (S/2017/445) does not say a word about the issue. On another note, the report says that the last route into eastern Ghouta was closed in late April, but we were told long ago that this region had been completely blocked.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“In order to improve the quality and volume of humanitarian access, normal working contact with Syrian authorities at various levels is needed, as acknowledged by many United Nations personnel. We have been very active to that end. However, Russia's capacity in this area is not unlimited, especially since as can be seen in today's meeting, we are not exactly supported by everyone here. Others need to establish normal working contacts with the Syrian Government. We think that a special role could be played here by the humanitarian troika of the Security Council since it decided to work on this difficult matter. The description of the incident that took place in Khan Shaykhun cannot withstand scrutiny.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“The reality is that most of the people who need assistance live in areas that are controlled by the Government. Special attention must be paid to regions that have been liberated from fighters, in particular those settlements where local truce agreements have been reached. We cannot share the negative assessment ofthis kind ofpractice. Those who criticize the practice should not forget that as result of our efforts on local truces, we have managed to save tens of thousands of human lives. Furthermore, peaceful inhabitants are returning to those regions. The agenda is now focused on de-mining and on ensuring that the infrastructure functions normally and that social services and facilities are in place and available.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source