The decision of Russia, which decided to recognize the two separatist regions of Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly, was discussed. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that Russia’s decision to “recognize so-called independence” is the biggest threat to world peace and security in recent years. Secretary-General Guterres called for an immediate reduction of the tension, which has escalated due to the crisis.
Emphasizing that the crisis in the region will negatively affect the whole world, Guterres pointed out that if the crisis in Ukraine escalates, the world may face a severe famine on a scale that it has not seen for many years.
Guterres stated that Russia’s decision does not comply with the declaration of friendship and cooperation between the UN member states and said, “The UN fully stands behind Ukraine’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.” Secretary General Guterres noted that Russia’s recognition decision violates the UN charter and is a clear violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“May the ceasefire be respected, the problem be resolved through dialogue”
Noting that the crisis in Ukraine could spread to the world, Guterres noted that actions and statements that would take this very dangerous situation beyond the abyss should be avoided. Guterres called for a ceasefire to be declared and the problem to be resolved through dialogue and negotiation to save Ukrainians and people in the region from the scourge of war.
Secretary General Guterres reminded the 193-member General Assembly of Article 33 of the UN Charter and noted that according to this article, all alternatives should be used to resolve disputes through peaceful means.
Guterres stated that the ceasefire violations have increased gradually with the crisis in Ukraine and that the latest developments are a cause for serious concern and said, “Russia’s decision to recognize the so-called independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is also against the UN Charter,” he said.
Guterres described the Minsk agreements as a device that supports a person in intensive care for life in the fragile region.
“We will never give up to keep the peace”
“I urge all parties to allow safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid agencies, including the non-government-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. “I call on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law. I reiterate my promise to support all efforts to resolve this crisis without further bloodshed. We will never give up in the search for a peaceful solution.”
Shahid: “The solution must be political, not military”
UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid stated that the existence of the UN can only be achieved through political solutions, not military operations, to ensure lasting peace, and said that they will maintain their determination on this issue. “Dialogue is the only solution for peace and solution,” Shadid said. Shahid called on member states to “use the means at hand to resolve conflicts, give priority to diplomacy, well-intentioned approaches, mediation, and give peace all the chance it deserves”.
Kuleba: “No one can withstand this crisis if Putin continues his aggression against Ukraine”
Addressing the UN General Assembly about the crisis in his country, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that although the hope of peace, common sense and diplomacy prevails in the Ukrainian people, they need much more than hope at the last point reached. Stating that more than 40 million Ukrainians want to live in peace and prosperity, Kuleba said, “Speaking on their behalf, we need faster, concrete and decisive actions to end Russia’s aggression and threats. Under Russian fire and bombardment, we need joint efforts, not fear, not intimidation. What is happening in our country is the biggest European security crisis since the Second World War. Russia is creating this crisis unilaterally. Russian President Vladimir Putin openly denies Ukraine’s right to exist. We all need to accept the terrible reality of a new aggressive and vengeful dictatorship rising over Europe. In eastern Ukraine, where Russian tanks are now entering, the huge number of Russian soldiers accumulating on our borders should worry everyone. I warn every nation. “No one can withstand this crisis if Putin continues his aggression against Ukraine,” he said.
“Everyone should do their best to put out the blazing fire”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba stated that Russia’s propaganda machine is in full swing, and that it is using this propaganda machine to create excuses in order to attack its country more. Kuleba “Russia sent 46 military ships to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. He closed most of the sea under the pretext of holding naval exercises, which meant the blockade of Ukrainian ports. Russia must withdraw its forces from the sovereign territory of Ukraine and stop destabilizing the international security situation. We expect the countries of the world and the international community to do their best to extinguish the fire that is about to flare up in the middle of Europe.”
Russia: “Western countries are provoking Ukraine”
Vasily Nebenzya, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, said in his speech that the definition of temporarily occupied territories is wrong, and that these lands are actually related to the lands lost as a result of Ukraine’s inhumane policy.
Nebenzya noted that western countries continue to provoke, encourage and arm Kiev. Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Nebenzya criticized the speech of UN Secretary General Guterres at the meeting, claiming that the Secretary General’s statements were statements that did not comply with the UN Charter regarding what was happening in Ukraine. Nebenzya claimed that the Secretary-General never raised his voice on the Minsk Agreements and the implementation of Security Council resolution 2202.