Russia has brought us to the brink, we urge Russia to step back: UK statement to the United Nations Security Council
UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Barbara Woodward gave a statement at the emergency Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
Mr President, we meet this evening because, earlier today, President Putin announced the Russian Federation鈥檚 recognition of the independence of the so-called 鈥淒onetsk People鈥檚 Republic鈥� and 鈥楲uhansk People鈥檚 Republic鈥� and issued a decree to send Russian military forces into Ukraine as so-called 鈥減eacekeepers鈥�.
Colleagues, the actions Russia has chosen to take today will have severe and far-reaching consequences. First, to human life: an invasion of Ukraine unleashes the forces of war, death and destruction on the people of Ukraine. The humanitarian impact will be terrible on civilians fleeing the fighting. We know that women and children will suffer most.
Second, to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a UN Member State, which is protected and guaranteed by the UN Charter. As the Secretary-General said earlier Russia鈥檚 decisions are a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the UN Charter.
Third, to international law. The actions taken today make mockery of the commitments Russia has made through the Budapest Memorandum and the Minsk Agreements, endorsed by Security Council resolution 2202. In seeking to redraw borders by force Russia鈥檚 actions show blatant contempt for international law.
The United Kingdom will be announcing new sanctions on Russia in response to its breach of international law and attack on Ukraine鈥檚 sovereignty and territorial integrity. There will be severe economic consequences to its actions.
Colleagues, now more than ever the Council must shoulder its responsibilities for peace and security and defend the principles of the UN Charter.
This Council must be united in: calling on Russia to de-escalate immediately; condemning aggression against a sovereign nation, and defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine; calling on Russia to respect its obligations under the Charter to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Russia has brought us to the brink. We urge Russia to step back.