YouSaid · the spoken record

Thomas-Greenfield

lines on the record: 1,605
first: 2021-05-27
most recent: 2023-12-22
sittings or episodes: 219
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

“Such exclusion is particularly severe in fragile and conflict-affected countries — precisely the nations and economies that most need the full, equal and meaningful participation of their entire workforce. Research has shown that about 30 million fewer women than men of working age are in paid employment globally. Women who are in paid work are often engaged in low-paid and low-return activities, and very few women have the access and opportunities to become entrepreneurs and business owners. Not only are women critically underrepresented and excluded from economic opportunities in fragile and conflict-affected countries, but their access to financial institutions also remains extremely limited. That has become more apparent with the impact of the coronavirus disease over the past two years. Such practices block women’s access to capital.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“One simply cannot expect to compete with the world without half one’s workforce, and yet women are still forcibly kept out of the workplace. That attitude should be a relic of the past — one that I remember seeing first-hand. When I joined I joined the United States Foreign Service in 1982, it was at a moment when the State Department was facing two lawsuits that directly applied to me: one for excluding black people and the other for excluding women. Nearly 40 years later, the State Department actively recruits and encourages black and female applicants. The results are remarkable, and we are so much stronger for it. Despite this obvious truth, today women around the world still face economic exclusion.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“Women are leading Ukraine’s efforts through the new humanitarian catastrophe that Russia has unleashed, just as they have been critical to building a burgeoning democratic society over the past eight years in Ukraine. If Russia ever chooses to return to dialogue and diplomacy, women must be meaningfully and consistently involved. After all, we know that woman’s full, equal and meaningful participation is not just a moral imperative; it also increases the likelihood of securing a long-term and sustainable peace. Women’s participation is essential for growing economies. Our approach to women’s economic empowerment must take into account the evolving context for work, and we must collaborate with the private sector, along with other partners, to ensure full and meaningful access for women today, as in the future.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“As in other conflicts, women are being forced to make unimaginable choices — being forced to flee their homes due to threats of imminent violence while they continue to support their communities, families and loved ones. In particular, we must attest to the extraordinary pain of mothers during this terrible time — mothers who have been forced to give birth in bomb shelters; mothers who have been forced to pass their children, alone and terrified, onto crowded trains leaving the country; and the mother chasing after the blue blood- stained blanket that held her 18-month-old, now dead from Russian shelling. All those present have seen the images of their pain. Of course, many women are bravely coming together to defend their homes, their communities and their country, and we stand with them today, as every day.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“I welcome you, Madam President, and thank you for convening us here today to discuss this critical issue. I would like to welcome all the ministers and other guests who have joined us here today, and it is also great to see so many women around the table at this event. I thank our briefers for their powerful, insightful and enlightening remarks. Unfortunately, it is impossible to talk about the women and peace and security agenda today without, as was noted by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms. Georgieva, and Foreign Minister Coveney, without acknowledging the horrific consequences for women of Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable war of choice against the people of Ukraine.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“The question is: How much devastation is President Putin willing to wreak for this enormous mistake? We continue to call on Russia to change course, withdraw its forces and de-escalate through diplomacy, and we support Ukraine’s call for a ceasefire. In the meantime, we applaud those doing everything in their power to alleviate the suffering that Putin has unleashed on the Ukrainian people. Whatever course Russia’s invasion may take, we must do everything — and I stress everything — we can to help the people of Ukraine. Kyiv continues to stand and we stand with Kyiv. We stand with Ukrainians.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“It is clear that Mr. Putin has a plan to destroy and terrorize Ukraine. If the past two weeks have shown us anything, it is that the Ukrainian people are not going to give up and that many Russian people themselves, including many Russian soldiers, do not want this war. Unfortunately, Mr. Putin does not seem to be listening, and we are concerned that the world needs to be prepared for a very long and very difficult road ahead. The Ukrainians are defending themselves bravely, and we will continue to stand with them and support them. But President Putin is clearly willing to sacrifice the lives of thousands of Russian soldiers to achieve his personal ambitions. We have been warning Moscow for weeks that, in the end, Russia will be weaker, not stronger, for launching this war. That is already proving true.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“We also call for the protection and care of all vulnerable children, including separated and unaccompanied children and those in institutional care. Children should never, never be involved in conflict. I reiterate: children should never be involved in conflict. They must be protected. The humanitarian toll of President Putin’s war on Ukraine is mounting. Children are dying. People are fleeing their homes. And for what? As UNICEF has reported, we already know that dozens of children have been killed in Putin’s war. As we work to confirm cases, we know that the actual numbers are actually far greater. Young children have also been severely traumatized by the violence and destruction. They have witnessed so many things to the point that they have stopped speaking. The physical and psychological wounds of this war will be long-lasting.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“Very specifically, we call for the Russian Federation to agree to, and honour in good faith, Ukrainian proposals for time-bound humanitarian safe passage in specific agreed-upon locations. We call for the establishment of a ground- level notification system that will facilitate the safe movement of humanitarian convoys and flights. That is imperative for ensuring that humanitarian supplies and commodities can be reliably transported into Ukraine to reach those most in need. I also want to note today that the United States is increasingly concerned about the protection of civilians in this conflict, particularly women and girls, who are vulnerable to gender-based violence, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex Ukrainians, as well as Ukraine’s population of older adults and people with disabilities.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“We all need to ensure that those pledged funds are flexible and mobilized as quickly as possible, given the escalating needs on the ground. But, perhaps, most important of all, we must heed the call that we heard today from the Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs. That means a sustained pause in hostilities to allow the safe passage of civilians who wish to leave areas of active conflict, the safe passage of humanitarian supplies and the free and safe movement of those delivering humanitarian assistance. We need Russia’s firm, clear, public and unequivocal commitment to allowing and facilitating immediate, unhindered humanitarian access for humanitarian partners in Ukraine.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“Food is dwindling and civilian casualties are mounting, while the most vulnerable groups — those with disabilities, the elderly and children — continue to bear the brunt of the suffering. We have seen besiegement before, from Leningrad to Aleppo. Those are tragedies of immense proportions. The United States is closely coordinating with the Government of Ukraine, neighbouring countries and international organizations, including those within the United Nations system, to monitor the situation, and we will work with them to address the humanitarian needs, both in Ukraine and in the region. While we are heartened by the international community’s pledges of more than $1.5 billion in humanitarian support so far, we know that, as long as Russia pursues is relentless and brutal campaign, the need for assistance will only increase.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“We are committed to providing support, and we know that their needs will only increase if Russia does not cease its violence. We know that because of what we have seen over the past week from the reckless attack on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and the siege of cities across Ukraine to the tragic images and alarming reports from those who are unable to leave Ukraine to seek safety. The world is haunted by such images of homes, hospitals, schools and orphanages being destroyed, demolished in front of our eyes, child cancer patients unable to receive chemotherapy, babies delivered in basements instead of wards and hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to electricity for heat or drinking water to stay alive. Ukrainian cities are under siege, under relentless Russian shelling. Hospitals are running out of supplies.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to my counterparts from Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, where their Governments’ international organizations and non-governmental organizations have been working non-stop to welcome all those who are fleeing. What I heard was staggering. My Polish colleague, who is sitting in the Chamber with us today, shared that 100 refugees are crossing into Poland every minute — 100 a minute. We should just do the maths. We talked about many of the challenges that those neighbouring countries are facing and how the United States can help to keep their borders open to all those seeking international protection, including those who may experience communication barriers with border agents due to disabilities or other factors.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“We are outraged by increased reports of Moscow’s attacks harming Ukrainian civilians in its unprovoked and unjustified war against the Ukrainian people. President Putin’s war of choice has already turned half a million children into refugees. More than 1.7 million civilians have already fled Ukraine into surrounding countries, That does not include those who have been internally displaced. We have seen the images of the elderly fleeing, a woman killed in her wheelchair, children dying in their mother’s arms and a woman being rushed bleeding to a hospital. Those are the images that we see daily of what is happening on the ground in Ukraine.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“I thank Executive Director Russell at her first briefing to the Security Council. We welcome her to this setting. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Griffiths. Both their briefings were extraordinarily sobering, but we very much appreciate the work that they do. I also want to say that we are so appreciative and so proud and grateful to UNICEF, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and other humanitarian agency staff on the ground in Ukraine and throughout the region. We have seen the images of them coordinating deliveries from bomb shelters and continuing to provide assistance to the Ukrainian people under difficult and dangerous conditions. They are testament to the life-saving work of the United Nations humanitarian agencies and their indispensable role helping vulnerable civilians suffering the consequences of war.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8988 (2022) · source
“The United States remains committed to the people of South Sudan. We remain committed to working closely with the Transitional Government of National Unity, our fellow Council members and all stakeholders to enable peace and prosperity for the country and for the region.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“South Sudan needs to create an enabling environment for free and fair elections by respecting fundamental freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Fourthly and finally, we urge actors at the national and subnational levels to do everything possible to facilitate humanitarian access. There are 8.9 million people estimated to need humanitarian assistance this year; that is 600,000 more than last year. This increase is driven by continued conflict, widespread flooding, deepening food insecurity, inflation, high food prices and a lack of access to basic services. These factors make the role of UNMISS so important. UNMISS must continue to work with all parties to implement its core task, and that is to create conditions that allow humanitarians unhindered access to the most vulnerable.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“Unfortunately, the Government of South Sudan is behind in meeting key electoral benchmarks outlined in the revitalized agreement, and that is simply unacceptable. We urge the Government to establish the legal and institutional framework required to conduct free and fair elections. The diminishing civic space in South Sudan is hindering the country’s progress towards democracy. In particular, the United States was seriously concerned by the detentions and arrests of journalists and civil rights activists by national security forces on 22 February. Journalists and activists belong on the beat; they belong on the street, not in prison. The Government of South Sudan must respect the rights of all citizens, in accordance with the Transitional Constitution.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“Similarly, we remain deeply concerned about reports of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by UNMISS personnel over the past year, including two allegations filed last December. We urge all parties involved in these investigations to complete their inquiries in a timely and transparent manner and to ensure accountability for perpetrators if these allegations are substantiated. Thirdly, the Government of South Sudan must swiftly implement key provisions of the revitalized agreement to work towards a true democracy. That means an inclusive constitution-drafting process, public financial management reform, transitional security arrangements and transitional justice mechanisms — including the Hybrid Court for South Sudan — in order to ensure free and fair elections that reflect the will of all South Sudanese.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“It documents the abduction of civilians. It documents the killing of at least 440 civilians. Horrifically, the report documents that political and security sector elites have instigated, facilitated and aided this violence and manipulated ethnic identities. The victims and survivors of sexual violence were predominantly women and girls, of course. They were assaulted publicly and at least 19 of them who were publicly sexually assaulted were brutally killed during and after. One of those killed was a 13-year-old. The Security Council has to take these kinds of reports seriously. We cannot stay silent, and the region cannot stay silent. The Government of South Sudan must investigate and prosecute all those responsible for crimes committed, including and especially those in positions of command and authority.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“And we urgently call on local, state and national leaders to immediately intervene and hold accountable the perpetrators of human rights abuses and attacks against humanitarian aid workers, regardless of affiliation. Overall, the protection of civilians, including the protection of women and children, and accountability for sexual exploitation and abuse must continue to be a top priority for UNMISS. Ms. Williams Yuyada has made a demand that the Council deal with this issue and we need to listen to her request, which leads me to my second point. The United States is appalled by the recent findings in the joint report of UNMISS and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on human rights abuses committed in Tambura. The report documents 14 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence, involving 64 victims.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“To that end, I want to discuss four aspects of the situation in South Sudan — the security situation and protection of civilians, the widespread human rights abuses, progress towards democracy and the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and the importance of humanitarian access — and the role of UNMISS within them. First, the United States remains deeply concerned about the volatile security situation throughout the country. Fighting between numerous armed actors has led to allegations of horrific human rights abuses, including the killing of civilians, rapes, burning and destruction of villages and the looting of humanitarian supplies. We strongly condemn those atrocious acts of violence and the impunity with which they are taking place.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haysom and the briefers for their insightful and sobering presentations. Their reports provide a clear understanding of current developments and lack of progress in South Sudan and of the significant contributions that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is making in this country. Let me start by thanking the women and men of UNMISS, who serve to protect the people of South Sudan. I also commend the troop- and police-contributing countries and civilian experts for their efforts to preserve peace and stability in South Sudan. In his most recent UNMISS report (S/2022/156), the Secretary-General made clear that the Mission’s mandated tasks remain valid. The United States agrees.”
2022-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8987 (2022) · source
“Russian forces are now 20 miles and closing from Ukraine’s second-largest nuclear facility, so the imminent danger continues. We narrowly avoided a disaster last night. The international community must be unanimous in demanding that Russia’s forces stop their dangerous assault. As I have said before, the people of Ukraine are counting on us, and we must not let them down.”
2022-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8986 (2022) · source
“The world demands that Russia abide by international humanitarian law, which prohibits intentionally targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and allow humanitarian agencies full and secure access to people in need of aid. The United States and its partners have called for a briefing on Monday on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. We support the urgent work of humanitarian organizations on a humanitarian pause to allow for the safe passage and delivery of humanitarian supplies. President Putin must stop this humanitarian catastrophe by ending the war and ceasing these unconscionable attacks against the people of Ukraine. Mr. Putin must stop this madness and he must stop it now. Cooler heads must prevail.”
2022-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8986 (2022) · source
“Not only has he not listened, but we have just witnessed a dangerous new escalation that represents a dire threat to all of Europe and the world. To my Russian counterparts, I say that the Council needs answers. We need to hear its representative say that this will not happen again, as our colleague of the United Kingdom just stated. We call on Russia to withdraw its troops and weaponry from Ukraine. We call on Russia to respect Ukraine’s borders, its people and the Charter of the United Nations. We call on Russia to respect its own troops enough not to send them into an unjust war or on a suicide mission against a nuclear power plant. We call on Russia to abide by its international law obligations.”
2022-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8986 (2022) · source
“Over the past nine days, we have witnessed the devastating impacts of President Putin’s war of choice on the Ukrainian people. Yesterday, the United Nations reported that Russia’s invasion had turned half a million children into refugees. Russia has killed thousands of Ukrainians and sacrificed the lives of thousands more Russian soldiers in the process. Russia is destroying critical infrastructure, which is denying people drinking water to stay alive and gas to keep them from freezing to death in the middle of winter. The humanitarian impact of the destruction will be significant. Some 141 nations across the world have called loudly and clearly on President Putin to stop this brutal, unjustified, unprovoked attack.”
2022-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8986 (2022) · source
“Russia must halt any further use of force that might put at further risk all 15 operable reactors across Ukraine or interfere with Ukraine’s ability to maintain the safety and security of its 37 nuclear facilities and their surrounding populations. The United States remains highly concerned about the fact that Russian military forces controlling the Chernobyl site have not permitted operators there to have a shift change since last week. That is highly irresponsible behaviour and causes grave concerns for the continued safe operation of both sites. We call on all countries to support IAEA Director General Grossi in his efforts to find arrangements going forward to ensure nuclear safety and prevent a nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine.”
2022-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8986 (2022) · source
“As a first step, we call on Russia to withdraw its troops from the plant to permit medical treatment for injured personnel; to ensure that operators have full access to the site and are able to communicate with nuclear regulators; and to allow the operators to conduct shift changes to ensure the continued safe operation of the plant. Ukrainian firefighters and nuclear engineers must have full access to the nuclear facility to assess damage, particularly to water intake piping, and mitigate a further deterioration of the situation, if needed. Nuclear facilities cannot become part of this conflict. Reliable electricity is vital for the nuclear facility, as are backup diesel generators and fuel. Safe transit corridors must be maintained.”
2022-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8986 (2022) · source
“By the grace of God, the world narrowly averted a nuclear catastrophe last night. We all waited to exhale as we watched the horrific situation unfold in real time. I applaud the ability of the Ukrainian operators to keep all six reactors in safe conditions while under attack, and to report, as they were able, to their nuclear regulator. Moreover, we appreciate the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine for its continuous updates to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the international community. We are gravely concerned that the Ukrainian operators are now doing their jobs under extreme duress. Russia’s attack last night put Europe’s largest nuclear power plant at grave risk. It was incredibly reckless and dangerous and threatened the safety of civilians across Russia, Ukraine and Europe.”
2022-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8986 (2022) · source
“Let us show them that they are not alone; that the world stands behind them; that the United Nations has a purpose; and that the additional bravery of the protesters in Russia is not in vain. Let us do everything we can to help the people of Ukraine as they stand up for themselves, their sovereign country and their children.”
2022-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8980 (2022) · source
“They have shown strength, courage and resilience in the face of Russian guns, soldiers, bombs and rockets. They also maintain the courage to sit down and talk. We welcome their continued willingness to participate in peace talks. On Friday night, darkness descended on Kyiv. Missiles attacked a sheltering city. But the next morning, Ukrainians woke up to a new citizen — a baby girl born to a mother in a bomb shelter. The baby’s name is Mia. Photos of her tiny hand gripping her mother as they hid underground have inspired the world. Let us have the courage of Mia’s mother. Let us have the courage of the Ukrainian people standing bravely to defend their democracy, way of life and futures.”
2022-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8980 (2022) · source
“Those of us here safely sitting in this hallowed Chamber have a moral responsibility to respond to Russia’s desecration of human life. That means humanitarian aid like the thermal blankets that the United States Agency for International Development has already airlifted to tens of thousands of Ukrainians in need and the recently announced $54 million in additional humanitarian assistance that will reach hundreds of thousands more. That means military support, including the additional $350 million of security assistance that the United States is shipping to Ukraine. And it means holding the sole aggressor — Russia — accountable for its actions. That will take some courage from some fellow Member States, and I know that. For inspiration, I would ask them to look to the Ukrainian people.”
2022-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8980 (2022) · source
“As we speak, rockets continue to rain down on Kyiv and across Ukraine. Tanks are tearing through cities. Russia continues to ready even more brutal weaponry — bombs that flatten cities and indiscriminately target civilians — for an unjustifiable assault, fabricated out of lies and the rewriting of history. Russia also propagates outrageous lies about Ukraine’s conduct in its own defence. We are alarmed by the mounting reports of civilian casualties, videos of Russian forces moving exceptionally lethal weaponry into Ukraine and the widespread destruction of civilian facilities like residences, schools and hospitals. To the Russian officers and soldiers, I say that the world is watching, photographic and video evidence is mounting, and they will be held to account for their actions. We will not let atrocities slide.”
2022-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8980 (2022) · source
“We need to take extraordinary actions to meet this threat to our international system and do everything we can to help Ukraine and its people. Just this morning, President Putin put Russia’s nuclear forces on high alert, although he is invading a country with no nuclear weapons and is under no threat from NATO, a defensive alliance that will not fight in Ukraine. This is another escalatory and unnecessary step that threatens us all. We urge Russia to tone down its dangerous rhetoric with regard to nuclear weapons. These are issues that affect all Member States, and now in the General Assembly they can all make their voices heard on Russia’s war of choice. We will then vote on a draft resolution that will hold Russia to account for its indefensible actions and for its violations of the Charter.”
2022-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8980 (2022) · source
“On Friday night, we stood together outside this Chamber to declare that the Russian veto (see S/PV.8979) would not stop us from holding Russia accountable for invading a sovereign State — a State that dared to be a democracy. Russia vetoed Friday’s draft resolution (S/2022/155) but, as I have said before, Russia cannot veto our voices, Russia cannot veto the Ukrainian people, and Russia cannot veto the Charter of the United Nations. Russia cannot and will not veto accountability. Now, the Security Council has taken an important step forward towards that accountability. For the first time in decades, it has called for an emergency special session of the General Assembly. The Council members who supported resolution 2623 (2022) recognize that this is no ordinary moment.”
2022-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8980 (2022) · source
“We will continue to all speak within one voice in the days ahead to address the atrocious situation that we see happening every day on the ground, despite what we have heard from our Russian colleagues.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“I am not going to respond to the atrocious lies, propaganda and disinformation that we have just heard from our Russian colleague. I have asked to take the floor for a different reason. I have asked to take the floor to recall some of our members whose names may not have been heard earlier. Due to the rapidly moving response to the events in Ukraine, the names of some of the countries that sponsored draft resolution S/2022/155 may not have been clearly read out or heard. I would just like to highlight their names because we greatly appreciate what they have done. Those countries are Barbados, Croatia, Estonia, the Gambia, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Lesotho, the Marshall Islands, Monaco, North Macedonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Suriname. I want to thank all of them for their support.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“As we move forward, I hope that more Member States take their cues from that courage and honour all of that bravery with more of our own.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“He also conveyed the ongoing economic, humanitarian and security support being provided by the United States, as well as our continued commitment to rally other countries to provide similar assistance. It is hard to imagine what it must feel like for people to see tanks rolling into their cities, bombs being dropped onto their streets and soldiers storming their parks and gardens. But in the face of all of that, everyday Ukrainian people are taking extraordinary actions to protect their children, to protect their country and to defend everything they hold dear. I also want to commend the courage of the thousands of people in Russia who are protesting Putin’s war, despite grave risks to their personal safety. They will keep chanting “no war”. They will keep asking how many Russian lives Putin wants to sacrifice for his cynical ambitions.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“Today’s vote showed which countries truly believe in supporting the core principles of the United Nations and which ones deploy them as convenient catchphrases. The vote showed which Security Council members support the United Nations Charter and which ones do not. We will be addressing this matter in the General Assembly, where the Russian veto does not apply and the nations of the world can, will and should hold Russia accountable and stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Before I conclude, I want to commend the true and tremendous courage that we are seeing from the Ukrainian people. I also want to thank the Ukrainian Permanent Representative, who is with us here today. Earlier today, President Biden spoke with President Zelenskyy and personally commended the brave actions of the Ukrainian people, who are fighting to defend their country.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“Not surprisingly, Russia exercised its veto power today in an effort to protect Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, unjustified and unconscionable war in Ukraine. But let me make one thing clear: Russia can veto draft resolution S/2022/155, but it cannot veto our voices. It cannot veto the truth. It cannot veto our principles. It cannot veto the Ukrainian people. It cannot veto the Charter of the United Nations. And it will not veto accountability. Responsible members of the Security Council have stood together today in the face of Russia’s aggression and we will continue to stand with Ukraine, supporting it in every way we can. We are united behind Ukraine and its people, despite a reckless, irresponsible permanent member of the Council abusing its power to attack its neighbour and subvert the United Nations and our international system.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“That is the entire purpose of our international system. That is, fundamentally, the point of the Security Council and the United Nations. Today’s vote is therefore simple. Let me put it plainly. Members should vote in favour of the draft resolution if they believe in upholding the United Nations Charter. They should vote in favour if they support the right of Ukraine or any State to sovereignty and territorial integrity. They should vote in favour if they believe that Russia should be held to account for its actions. Members should vote against or abstain in the voting if they do not uphold the Charter and if they align themselves with the aggressive and unprovoked actions of Russia. Just as Russia had a choice, so do members of the Council.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“One country — one country only — is invading another. Russia is the aggressor here. There is no middle ground. To any doubters, I say, look at the kindergarten that was bombed this morning — take a hard look. To those who say that there is a special history between Russia and Ukraine that somehow excuses the war, I say that we should all think carefully about who that label might apply to next. As I said on Monday night (see S/PV.8970), President Putin has asserted that Russia has a rightful claim to all territories from the Russian Empire. Just a few hours ago, Russia threatened Finland and Sweden with military and political repercussions. Responsible Member States do not invade their neighbours. They do not commit violence against their neighbours just because they have the ability to do so.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“In addition, as was just announced, President Biden will be sanctioning President Putin himself, along with Foreign Minister Lavrov and members of Russia’s national security team. Those actions are meant to complement the important work we are doing in the Security Council and the draft resolution we have put forward today. History will judge us for our actions — or lack thereof — and so long as we have a Security Council, I believe that we should strive to ensure that it lives up to its highest purposes: to prevent conflict and avert unnecessary war. Russia has already subverted that mission, but at a minimum — the very minimum — the rest of us have an obligation to object and to stand up for the United Nations Charter. To those who say that all parties are culpable, I say that is a clear cop out.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“Today, we are taking a principled stand against Russia’s aggression in the Council, but many of us are taking action in our capitals to defend international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and to impose severe consequences on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. In coordination with our allies and partners, we are imposing severe and immediate economic costs on Russia. Those measures include sweeping financial sanctions that will have an immediate impact on its economy and export controls that will cut off Russia’s access to vital technological inputs, atrophy its industrial base and undercut Russia’s strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“For those reasons, we and Albania, in consultation with our allies and partners, have proposed draft resolution S/2022/155 to hold Russia to account for its aggression against Ukraine. The draft resolution condemns Russia’s aggression. It reaffirms the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine and it demands that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its forces. It also calls for the facilitation of rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in need in Ukraine and for the protection of civilians, including those who are humanitarian personnel.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“The Council, charged with maintaining international peace and security, was created to prevent precisely this kind of aggression from ever happening again. Russia’s latest attack on our most fundamental principles is so bold and so brazen that it threatens our international system as we know it. We have a solemn obligation to not look away. We believe, to our core, that the noble intentions of this institution should still have a place in solving twenty-first century problems and shielding our children and our grandchildren from the horrors of war. The horrors of war are exactly what our Ukrainian brothers and sisters are experiencing today. The people of Ukraine will soon need food, water, shelter and medical aid. They will face displacement and lose everything they have worked to build.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“We have seen heart-wrenching images of fathers sobbing as they say goodbye to their young children and send their families away to safety while they stay behind to defend their country. In Kyiv today, thousands of people crushed into a local train station, with mothers passing their children over the crowd, begging for people to help get their babies onto trains and to safety. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 50,000 people have fled Ukraine in less than 48 hours. We have also seen everyday Russians bravely speak out and demonstrate in cities across Russia against President Putin’s decision to plunge them into a war with their neighbour. They do not want to sacrifice Russian lives for Putin’s ambition.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source
“We are here today because of Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified, unconscionable war on Ukraine. Let us never forget that this is a war of choice — Russia’s choice. Russia chose to invade its neighbour. Russia chose to inflict untold suffering on the Ukrainian people and its own citizens. Russia chose to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty, to violate international law, and to violate the Charter of the United Nations. Now, all across Ukraine, people are fleeing for their lives. Residents of Kyiv and Kharkiv have left their homes with only the belongings they could stuff in their backpacks to take shelter in subway stations, which have now become bomb shelters. We have seen reports of attacks on kindergartens and orphanages. Newborn babies in an intensive care unit have been evacuated to makeshift bomb shelters, too.”
2022-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8979 (2022) · source