Ukraine snubs Russia-chaired UNSC meeting

This was reported by Ukrinform's own correspondent in New York.

In a statement issued today, the Ukrainian Delegation reiterated “its principled position on the illegitimacy of the occupation of the Soviet permanent seat in the Security Council by the Russian Federation. Hence, Russia has no right, from either a legal or moral perspective, to serve in the presidency of the Security Council."

In this regard, the Delegation does not consider it possible to participate in UNSC meetings under Russian chairmanship, except for cases when it is necessary to bring to the UNSC attention "urgent information”, as was the case following the recent Russian strike on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv.

The statement emphasizes that Russia convened the Security Council "for the purpose of propaganda and manipulation."

The Delegation of Ukraine expresses its regret over yet another attempt by Russia to exploit the UNSC platform to whitewash its war of aggression against Ukraine and deny responsibility for the war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the statement.

Ukrainian diplomats recall that this is already the 16th meeting of the UNSC, starting from September 2022, which Moscow convenes "to address the contrived problem of ‘weapon supplies to Ukraine’”.

The most absurd part of the Russian propaganda disseminated by the Russian delegation and its puppet “briefers” at such meetings has been the regular blame placed on the victim of its aggression for using weapons, including those supplied by Ukraine’s allies, to defend itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Delegation noted.

Ukrainian diplomats note that the frequency of such meetings can hardly help Russia lend credibility to its fake narratives as they often completely contradict each other, as was the case of the Okhmatdyt attack.

Every time ahead of the meetings it initiates, Russia ramps up its missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, the Ukrainian diplomatic mission noted, stressing that Iran and North Korea provide military assistance to Russia.

The Delegation states it is “impossible to shoot down all Russian missiles and drones; it is also not possible to intercept guided aerial bombs at all”.

However, it is possible to destroy Russian bomb and missile carriers, deployment sites, launch sites, storage facilities and logistical routes, diplomats stress.

“Military assistance to Ukraine in defending its sovereign territory and population should therefore be considered an efficient contribution to deterring the aggressive Russian regime and preventing the spillover of its aggression to new countries and regions,” the statement notes.

"This will save lives of Ukrainians, sober the aggressor and push the Kremlin towards acceptance of the logic of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the principles of the UN Charter," the Ukrainian Delegation emphasizes.

After starting the meeting, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vasiliy Nebenzya, said he had asked other Security Council members to summon a representative of Ukraine to the meeting, but heard a refusal from one of the members. The British diplomat explained that members of the Security Council cannot force non-members to attend the meetings, as they themselves shall determine to what extent their participation is in their interest.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in July, Russia chairs the UN Security Council. On Thursday, Moscow convened another meeting to "condemn" international aid to Ukraine, at which the pro-Russian ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Karin Kneissl, spoke.