YouSaid · the spoken record

Vitrenko

lines on the record: 354
first: 2011-01-21
most recent: 2022-01-25
sittings or episodes: 61
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

“We see no alternative to a political and diplomatic solution to this international armed conflict and will continue to seek any viable option to secure peace. The starting point must begin with Russia de-escalating the security situation on Ukraine’s borders and withdrawing from Donbas and Crimea. Since the Council bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, we encourage the Council to make full use of its man-date so as to avoid any escalation of military confrontation. Although it is unimaginable to have the aggressor State among Council members, we do believe in the integrity and the commitment to the United Nations Charter of the other members of the Council — an essential element of the credibility of this body.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Its illegitimate and manipulative claims strike at the core of the United Nations, its Charter, purposes and principles, in particular the sovereign equality of States and refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. The State that is questioning international law and the rules-based order now cynically attempts to present itself as a victim in need of security guarantees. One can hardly imagine a more upside-down way to defend oneself than by plunging one’s neighbour into bloodshed and suffering. Let me reiterate that Ukraine has no intention whatsoever of taking any military action on the occupied parts of its sovereign territory, let alone along the border with Russia.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“All of that has been a tragic reality for the residents of the occupied part of Donbas, especially during the initial stage of the Russian aggression, when the level of violence on the ground was at its highest. The civilian population in the situation of conflict in urban areas is also extremely exposed to flagrant violations of human rights. That is exactly the case for the population in the temporarily occupied territories in Donbas and Crimea. The topic of today’s debate is even more strikingly relevant for Ukrainians living close to the border with Russia and along the administrative line with temporarily occupied Crimea. As we all know, a Russian military force of more than 100,000 soldiers is amassed on the border with Ukraine, against the backdrop of warmongering rhetoric and unacceptable ultimatums by Russia.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“That has contributed, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to the death of almost 4,000 civilians and up to 900,000 wounded in Donbas. Almost 1.5 million people have had to leave their homes in the occupied areas of Ukraine, becoming internally displaced persons. In addition, one of the biggest losses caused by combat activity in urban areas is the enormous damage to civilian infrastructure. In Donbas, that is often the result of the indiscriminate shelling by the Russian occupation forces. Conflict-related damage to infrastructure leaves many people with no access to water, sanitation, electricity and fuel. The destruction of infrastructure and deliberate impediments to repair work often result in serious environmental and epidemiological threats.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“That heinous attack left 31 civilians, including children, dead and over 100 wounded. The then Un- der-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, speaking in this Chamber, labelled the attack as having “knowingly targeted a civilian population” and one that constituted “a violation of international humanitarian law” (S/PV.7368, p.2). That is just one example of the fact that since the very beginning of the Russian aggression, the residential areas of Ukrainian cities in the conflict areas have been an integral element of the aggressor’s military plans. In the Government-controlled part of Ukraine, such areas have served targets for shelling or terrorist attacks. In the occupied areas, they have been used by the occupiers for the deployment of artillery weapons, with the local population serving as human shields.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Ukraine appreciates the initiative of the Norwegian presidency to hold this important debate and expresses its gratitude to the briefers for their useful presentations (see S/PV.8953). While Ukraine aligns itself with the statements made by the observer of the European Union (EU) and by the representative of Switzerland on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, I would like to make the following comments in my national capacity. The issue of war in cities has been an extremely painful one for my country. Just yesterday, Ukraine com-memorated one of the most tragic pages in its modern history. On 24 January 2015, the Russian occupation forces shelled the densely populated areas of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol with Grad and Uragan rockets.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Our deliberations, therefore, must be followed by concrete actions to break the cycle of impunity and hold violators accountable.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“For instance, in the occupied areas of Donbas, many coal mines have had their power supplies cut. The shut-down of mine ventilation and pumping systems often leads to volley emissions of mine gases and the flooding of mines and nearby areas. Yet the situation of occupation makes it impossible to assess the precise environment- and climate-related risks in those territories and implement the measures required to address them. The fight against terrorism and an efficient response to climate-related security risks are indispensable prerequisites for the maintenance of international peace and security. To deliver practical results, we need strong preventive diplomacy and resolve in returning to the tenets of international law.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“In that context, we welcome the adoption earlier today by the General Assembly of the fourth resolution entitled “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”, in which the international community reiterates, inter alia, its concern “regarding multiple military exercises of Russian armed forces held in Crimea and parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, which undermine regional security and entail considerable long-term negative environmental consequences in the region (General Assembly resolution 76/70, para. 11). Moreover, the continued Russian aggression in Donbas also harmfully affects the environment in the region and creates high climate-related risks.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Yet it is crucial for States to develop and put in place a strategy that would assign relevant tasks and responsibilities regarding the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks and extend its applicability to the area of environmental security. As the President of Ukraine stated at the twenty- sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow last month, “Our planet has two eco-bombs in the centre of Europe: occupied Crimea and part of Donbas”. The militarization of Crimea, which Russia is attempting to transform into its naval military base, has an adverse impact on the unique ecosystem of the peninsula and its adjacent waters.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“We are appalled by the practices of the Russian occupying administration to oppress Crimean Tatar activists, human rights defenders and journalists in temporarily occupied Crimea under the guise of counter-terrorism measures and to terrorize civilians in temporarily occupied parts of Donbas. It is our joint task to ensure that all perpetrators, organizers, mentors and sponsors of terrorist activities be brought to justice. The environmental impacts of armed conflicts and terrorism also remain a source of serious concern. As a non-permanent member of the Council from 2016 to 2017, Ukraine made its own contribution to the advancement of new counter-terrorism standards by raising the issue of the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks. That resulted in the adoption of resolution 2341 (2017).”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Ukraine remains fully committed to fighting terrorism and violent extremism. That includes taking effective measures to address conditions that allow the spread of that menace. We highly value civil society engagement, including that of women and youth, in counter-terrorism efforts at the domestic and global levels. We are convinced that combating the activities of individual terrorists and terrorist groups will not be sufficient if the problem of State-sponsored terrorism is not addressed in a robust and comprehensive way. Another matter of concern are attempts to use counter-terrorism as a pretext for repressive purposes in situations of occupation.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“While we align ourselves with the statement delivered by the observer European Union, I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity. We fully share the view that both terrorism-related threats and the security implications of climate change should remain in the focus of the United Nations. Terrorism threatens our core values and principles, Any act of terrorism is unjustifiable and shall be punished. Unfortunately, Ukrainians know too well how evil terrorism can be. The Russian armed aggression against Ukraine has led to a sharp increase in terrorist threats in the occupied territories and throughout the country. It suffices to mention the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 by the Russian Buk missile system, killing almost 300 innocent people of 17 nationalities.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Ukraine appreciates the initiative of the Nigerien presidency to hold this important high-level debate and welcomes the personal participation of the President of the Niger and the President of Estonia. We also express our gratitude to the Secretary-General and the other briefers for their rich insights. Having played an active part in the first-ever visit of the Security Council to the Lake Chad basin, in March 2017 and having witnessed first-hand the devastating impact on the ground of the terrorism and climate change nexus — to which I can personally testify, as one of the visit participants — Ukraine is closely following the challenge at hand. We also look forward to the adoption of the relevant Security Council draft resolution.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“The only viable way to end those violations is to restore the full control of the Government of Ukraine along the entire stretch of our country’s internationally recognized borders. Any progress in that regard would substantially strengthen the security of the entire European region.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909Resumption1 (2021) · source
“More weapons and military equipment, including SALW and conventional ammunition, are finding their way into Ukraine through those border points under the false pretext of the provision humanitarian assistance. All of those clandestine convoys and cargos have been entering and exiting the territory of Ukraine in blatant violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Such actions contradict the letter and the spirit of the Programme of Action and its International Tracing Instrument and undermine global and regional efforts in this field. They also erode the internationally established export control and licencing procedures that secure effective customs and border controls.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Civil society, for its part, plays an important role in supporting States’ efforts for the full and effective implementation of the international instruments on SALW. Countering the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is a top priority for Ukraine, given the existential security challenges we are currently facing in the defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. In particular, Ukraine is countering on a daily basis large-scale illicit trafficking in SALW via the huge segment of its uncontrolled border with Russia in the temporarily occupied areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as was also confirmed by the Secretary-General. We receive regular reports on clandestine night-time convoys entering and exiting Ukraine through the uncontrolled points away from the border crossings.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909Resumption1 (2021) · source
“A number of national legal acts adopted by Ukraine’s Parliament, President and Cabinet of Ministers regulate all forms of activity related to export control, including that of SALW. We recognize the important contribution that the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects brings to the dialogue and concerted actions of States in their efforts to realize its objectives. Ukraine emphasizes the need for the equal, full and effective participation of women in all decision-making and implementation processes related to the Programme of Action and its International Tracing Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909Resumption1 (2021) · source
“That is why Ukraine is fully committed to continuing to implement international instruments in the sphere of small arms and light weapons. The production, possession and destruction of small arms and light weapons in my country are licensed and supervised in accordance with a number of international and national regulations. We attach particular importance to ensuring effective export control procedures. In that regard, Ukraine strictly adheres to decisions of the Security Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and international export control regimes. In particular, the Security Council resolutions dealing with sanctions regimes serve as guidelines for the adoption of relevant legislation and regulations in Ukraine and are strictly implemented by the national authorities.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Let me start by expressing our appreciation to you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate. Ukraine remains gravely concerned by the fact that the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW) continue to be part of domestic and transnational organized crime and terrorism, posing a serious threat to international peace and security. As of today, small arms and light weapons are the main cause of the vast majority of casualties in armed conflicts, having a wide range of negative human rights, humanitarian, development and socioeconomic consequences, as well as undermining the rule of law, respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909Resumption1 (2021) · source
“We hope that in the near future the efforts of Ukraine, supported by the international community and aimed at the peaceful settlement of the conflict and the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories, will serve as a historic example, including in the field of the effective implementation of transitional justice during ongoing conflicts, as well as post-war reintegration, reconstruction and reconciliation.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“Its pillars relate to access to justice and fair treatment, redress for victims of armed conflict, restoration of violated rights, ensuring the right to truth, the prosecution of perpetrators of serious crimes and measures on non-repetition. In conclusion, let me just note that almost in all cases of recent conflicts, justice has become transitional. Despite the absence of a universal solution that would fit all scenarios, the establishment of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence are among the preconditions for sustainable peace after wars, conflicts and occupation. The ongoing Russian- Ukrainian conflict is not an exception here.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“The body includes a Working Group on the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, which is tasked with the following: drafting the national transitional justice model for Ukraine, for both Crimea and Donbas, amending provisions in Ukrainian legislation with regard to the residents of temporarily occupied territories and drafting the de-occupation and reintegration strategy for Crimea and Donbas. At present, the Working Group, jointly with human rights non-governmental organizations and international experts, developed the draft concept of a State policy for the protection of human rights in the context of overcoming the consequences of international armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine. The concept is a framework document and represents an embodiment of the overall concept of transitional justice for Ukraine.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“Before doing so, it is important to refer to the 2010 guidance note of the Secretary-General on a United Nations approach to transitional justice and touch upon the normative boundaries of the United Nations, in accordance with international standards, in particular the fact that the United Nations cannot endorse provisions in peace agreements that include amnesties for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and gross violations of human rights. In 2019, the Legal Reform Commission was established in Ukraine by presidential decree. The Commission acts as a consultative and advisory organ for the Head of State.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“Taking into account my limited speaking time and the late hour, I will not recall all of Ukraine’s actions and judicial avenues to achieve justice in international courts and tribunals, including the International Criminal Court, and bring to account those responsible for numerous war crimes and human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. I will also not delve into the details of the Ukrainian proposal that dates back to early 2015 to deploy a peacekeeping operation, under the auspices of the United Nations, with a strong transitional justice component in its mandate. Instead, I will focus on the practical realization of transitional justice by the Ukrainian authorities.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“Still, there is no doubt that transitional justice is an important tool, which, from its inception, continues to be developed not only in the legal domain, but is also associated with complex processes involving non-judicial instruments and mechanisms employed to restore peace in post- conflict circumstances. The subject of transitional justice gained special importance for my country amid the ongoing foreign aggression — almost six years of unprecedented, in post-war Europe, violations of the basic norms and principles of international law and order, the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and certain parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“We appreciate your timely initiative, Madam President, to discuss this very important issue. I would like to put on record that my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. At the outset, let me recall the widely recognized notion that transitional justice is composed of different sorts of regulations, including retributive justice, restorative justice, reparatory justice, administrative justice and constitutional justice — all of which shall be understood as complementary to each other. We share that vision and agree with the conclusion with regard to the lack of a coherent and comprehensive approach to the holistic implementation of all components of transitional justice, as rightly mentioned in today’s concept note (S/2020/98, annex).”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“In that regard, we greatly appreciate longstanding cooperation with United Nations agencies - with UNICEF at the top of the list 4 in order to ensure the protection of children. We stand ready to remain a reliable United Nations partner in this crucial area.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Approximately 170 children have been left without breadwinners, with their fathers arrested, abducted or murdered by the occupying Power. That is why I would like to call on the Secretariat once again to include a reference to the situation of Ukrainian children living in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in the relevant thematic reports. On its part, Ukraine, as party to the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child and its Optional Protocol and the Paris Commitments and Paris Principles on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, is exerting utmost efforts to develop and secure social protection and reintegration for children who have been affected by the conflict and displacement.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“A week ago it was exactly five years since his horrendous killing in cold blood by Russian proxies near Donetsk. His three killers first tortured him badly, then fired three shots into Stepan's head - one shot from each of them. Does the Council want to know why? It was simply because Stepan, my young compatriot, had a blue and yellow ribbon on his backpack. Blue and yellow - the colours of the Ukrainian flag. He was killed for simply being a patriot of his own land. The identities of his executioners are well known; at least two of them are hiding from justice in Russia. The human rights and fundamental freedoms of all residents, especially children, also living in Crimea 4 temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation - continue to be significantly threatened.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“According to the latest report on the human rights situation in Ukraine by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, almost 150 children have lost their lives in Donbas. Thousands of children have become victims of physical and psychological violence. It really pains me to show Council members this photograph. Just look at this young face full of hope, energy, life, innocence and optimism. This is 16-year- old Stepan Chubenko, a schoolboy from Kramatorsk, Donetsk oblast, Ukraine. He was a goalkeeper in the Ukrainian first league youth football team, an activist and one of the organizers of a local club called Funny and Inventive People. Those who knew him recall that he was all smiles, even taking care of a children's home in Kramatorsk. He loved life and life loved him back.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Thirty years ago, the international community was united in the understanding that children's rights require special protection and a continuous improvement of the situation of children all over the world, as well as their development and education in conditions of peace and security. Unfortunately, as a result ofthe ongoing Russian aggression, children in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine are deprived of an opportunity to enjoy life without fear, violence and death. They continue to account for numerous casualties from killing and maiming, the indiscriminate use of force, landmines and cluster munitions. UNICEF confirms that every escalation of the hostilities in Donbas threatens access to water and sanitation for 3.2 million people, including 500,000 children.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“It is obvious, therefore, that the work of the United Nations in this area is far from complete In fact, this challenge warrants more attention and effort today than back in 1989, when the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted, under Poland's leadership. That is why the right and urgent thing to do is to scale up our common actions to ensure that the implementation of existing ambitious resolutions and conventions does not just remain on paper. Impunity for grave violations against children cannot be tolerated. Military recruitment and the use of children in armed conflicts must finally come to an end. It is equally important to develop effective rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. If we fail to protect our children 4 or "people of today", as coined by Korczak - how can we protect the future of humankind?”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“As we mark a number of important dates this year, namely, the thirtieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the tenth anniversary of resolution 1882 (2009), it is regrettable that universal protection of the rights of the child remains a goal yet to be achieved. The scale of violations committed against children, as reflected in the Secretary-General's report, is nothing short of staggering. Behind dry statistics lie the fates of thousands of children who have lived through horrors and sufferings that few in this Chamber can imagine. When we factor in the issue of underreporting, the picture becomes even bleaker.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Ukraine appreciates the initiative of Poland to hold this open debate, as well as your personal participation, Mr. President, in this meeting. We would also like to wish the delegation of Poland every success in its presidency and appreciate the attention it pays to Ukraine. We thank the Secretary-General for his report on the issue at hand (S/2019/509), as well as the briefers for their participation and useful presentations. Before delivering a statement in my national capacity, I would like to note that Ukraine aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union. Let me start with the quote of a notable Polish doctor and pedagogue Janusz Korczak: "Children are not the people of tomorrow, but are people of today. They have a right to be taken seriously and to be treated with tenderness and respect".”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“For our part, we are ready for constructive negotiations to find a solution to the conflict. We will also welcome productive and results-oriented contributions to the process from the United Nations, the OSCE, the Normandy format countries and other partners. In conclusion, my delegation strongly believes that boosting United Nations conflict prevention and resolution capacities, expanding its respective toolbox, and encouraging and supporting its cooperation with relevant regional organizations on such issues is a worthy goal for States Members of the United Nations to pursue.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“In order to make progress towards the resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, it is also necessary to create a solid security foundation, which should involve not only concrete measures and steps in the conflict- affected areas of Donbas but also the de-escalation of the situation in the Black Sea and Azov Sea region. The latter includes the immediate release by Russia of the 24 Ukrainian prisoners of war whom I mentioned and the return of the vessels seized in the Black Sea, as well as restoration of the freedom of navigation through the Kerch Strait and in the Sea of Azov. We believe that the OSCE and its Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, with the support of the Normandy format countries and other partners, can play an indispensable role to that end.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“If it comes to fruition - and we hope that it does - the eventual multinational presence, in implementing its tasks, will also have to closely coordinate with and support the work of the OSCE, including by creating the proper security conditions for the unhindered implementation of its mandate by the Special Monitoring Mission. We are convinced that confidence-building measures constitute an important step in the process towards a political and diplomatic resolution of any conflict. From that perspective, the release by the Russian Federation of all Ukrainian political prisoners and illegally detained persons, including the crews of the three Ukrainian naval vessels captured on 26 November in international waters in the Black Sea, will be a crucial benchmark for assessing Moscow's readiness to embark on the path of de-escalation.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has indeed become an indispensable part of the political efforts to find a solution to the conflict. The Mission's reports serve as a valuable source of information about the real situation in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, marked by a significant Russian presence and regular inflows of modern Russian weaponry through the uncontrolled segment of the Ukraine-Russia State border. The idea ofestablishing a full-fledged peacekeeping operation in the occupied areas of the Donbas region of Ukraine mandated by the Security Council is still on the table.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“In that regard, from the perspective of a European country, we would like to see more robust practical cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It is highly commendable that the practice of yearly briefings to the Security Council by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has been established. Annual staff-level meetings also contribute to building closer ties between the two organizations. However, the practical cooperation is rather limited, while the two sides could benefit greatly from a closer partnership. It is well known that the OSCE remains at the forefront of international efforts towards the resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“As the previous Secretary-General stated in his report on the United Nations and conflict prevention of 2015 (S/2015/730), while Member States bear the primary responsibility for conflict prevention, the United Nations, with its universal membership, impartiality and the legitimacy derived from the principles of the Charter, has an important and unique role to play. The United Nations has played its role in various regions at different times. However, in a number of cases, it was and still is notably absent. In our opinion, that means that the potential of the United Nations is far from being fully realized. It also means that the Organization must, as a priority, step up its efforts in the areas of both the prevention and the resolution of conflicts.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“Having faced military aggression for almost five years, Ukraine firmly believes in the need to strengthen the existing instruments and to further improve and fine-tune the applicable practices at the disposal of the international community in order to increase the efficiency of our collective efforts in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. It is especially pertinent in today's world, where it is extremely difficult to achieve a climate oftrust and confidence. Instead, bellicose and confrontational policies and actions set the overall tone. There is no doubt that, as a universal body enjoying a unique level oflegitimacy, the United Nations must be as active as possible in preventing potential conflicts, as well as in addressing the ongoing ones.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“Mr. Vitrenko (Ukraine) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to warmly congratulate you, Mr. President, on C6te d'lvoire's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and to assure you of our full support in your work. (spoke in English) I would also like tojoin other speakers in expressing our appreciation for your initiative to convene today's discussion on the role on international actors in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. The subject is of particular importance to my delegation. I hope that from my statement, members will understand why that is so. First, let me say that Ukraine aligns itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“We now look forward to a concrete follow-through, with Article 99 of the Charter being used by the Secretary- General to the fullest, in particular in relation to the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict. Lastly, contributing to conflict resolution requires total commitment, combined with a conscious decision to uncompromisingly persevere in pursuit of a peaceful settlement, which will further strengthen the moral authority of the United Nations and make the Organization more resilient.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“In conclusion, my delegation strongly believes that empowering and strengthening existing international legal tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States should be one of the international community's priorities. In that context, a more proactive approach to mediation on the part of the United Nations is needed. By shying away from the issues considered to be too hot or sensitive, the United Nations is doing nothing less than undermining its own standing. As it pertains to our region, we are encouraged by the fact that the Secretary-General has identified the settlement of conflicts in Europe as one of his priorities for 2018.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Earlier this year we filed a memorial in arbitration proceedings against the Russian Federation under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, since Russia continues to violate Ukraine's sovereign rights in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Together with other members of the Joint Investigation Team, we continue working to ensure accountability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17. All in all, we consider negotiations to be the go-to method of dispute settlement. Before lodging the cases mentioned at the various international judicial organs, we exhausted all avenues of negotiation at all levels.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Still, Ukraine remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. We proceed from the fact that Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations envisages an obligation to settle any international disputes peacefully and provides a toolkit to do so. In particular, we initiated proceedings at the International Court of Justice concerning the application of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. We lodged the declaration pursuant to article 12 (3) of the Rome Statute to enable the International Criminal Court to exercise its jurisdiction over war crimes committed since the beginning of the military aggression against Ukraine.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Exactly four years ago today, Russian armed forces launched a direct attack on Ukrainian military units near Ilovaisk, which is deep in Ukrainian sovereign territory. That act of aggression resulted in a treacherous massacre of 366 unarmed Ukrainian soldiers - I repeat 366 unarmed Ukrainian soldiers - despite a safe passage agreement negotiated with the Russian Federation. On the anniversary of that tragic occasion and with your indulgence, Mr. President, I would like to commemorate Ukrainians who sacrificed their lives in Ilovaisk and other battlefields in defence of their land and democratic values. As Ukraine mourns its heroes today, we would like the tragedy to serve as another reminder and warning to the Council and others that deals and compromises with Moscow are worthless.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“There are always justifications for why the United Nations does or does not do something. However, those reasons do not in any way absolve the United Nations from its responsibilities. People all over the world, including in Ukraine, therefore continue to look up to the United Nations in the hope and expectation that it will step up its efforts to prevent armed conflicts between States and to ensure universal compliance with international law. We note with regret the inability of the United Nations and the Council to take proper and robust action in response to the blatant Violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. As a result, the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine continues unabated for the fifth year.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“In the light of the Security Council's primary task to maintain international peace and security, we share the view that mediation activities can and should greatly contribute to reducing and to eliminating threats to global peace and security. They are an important tool in preventing conflicts, building up trust and confidence between the parties to a conflict, reaching peaceful solutions and consolidating peace agreements. There is no doubt that, as a universal body enjoying a unique level of legitimacy, the United Nations must play as effective a role as possible in preventing potential conflicts and in addressing ongoing ones. Yet, as rightly observed by a number of speakers before me, the potential ofthe United Nations is not being used to its fullest in that regard.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source