Russia Ukraine war latest: Zelensky accuses Russia of ‘criminal, unprovoked aggression’ at UN

Volodymyr Zelensky has began addressing the particular United Nations Safety Council session, saying Ukrainian troopers have been doing what the UN safety council needs to be doing by vote.

He accused Russia of “felony and unprovoked aggression” that violated the UN Constitution.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky has repeated his name for reform of the UN’s basic meeting and safety council to finish the conflict.

“574 days of ache, losses, and wrestle have already handed because the begin of the full-scale aggression launched by the state, which, for some cause, remains to be current right here among the many everlasting UNSC members,” he wrote on social media.

In a protracted thread he wrote: “All on the earth see what makes the UN incapable. This seat within the Safety Council, which Russia occupied illegally, by way of backstage manipulations following the collapse of the USSR, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash Russia’s ongoing aggression and genocide…

“Veto energy within the arms of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN right into a lifeless finish…

“Humankind not pins its hopes on the UN in terms of the defence of the sovereign borders of countries.”

His proposals included increasing membership of the safety council to incorporate Germany and the African Union, amongst others.

He mentioned the epicentre of efforts to guard territorial integrity and sovereignty and human rights, in addition to stopping aggression and genocide needs to be in UN’s basic meeting and safety council.

“If reform of UN establishments is critical for this, then we shouldn’t be afraid of it. We’re able to work along with UN members who joined the Peace Method on draft resolutions and amendments to the UN Constitution.”

The council has met dozens of occasions since Russia invaded Ukraine, but it surely has been unable to take any motion as a result of Moscow holds a veto.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian international minister Sergey Lavrov prevented staring one another out throughout the UN Safety Council’s well-known horseshoe-shaped desk:

Earlier than Ukraine’s President Zelensky took the ground to talk to the safety council’s 15 members, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia objected.

Albanian prime minister Edi Rama, serving as president of the tense session, responded with a gibe at Moscow, which has lengthy mentioned the invasion doesn’t quantity to a conflict however was a “particular army operation”.

“I wish to guarantee our Russian colleagues and everybody right here that this isn’t a particular operation by the Albanian presidency,” Mr Rama mentioned to muted laughter throughout the room.

“There’s a answer for this,” he continued. “For those who agree, you cease the conflict and President Zelensky won’t take the ground.”

Mr Nebenzia mentioned the session was a present.

The speech of Russian international minister Sergei Lavrov lasted for greater than 24 minutes. Safety Council delegates had been requested to restrict speeches to 4 minutes.

Nazis may “skip the queue” to affix the EU, Sergei Lavrov claimed – in distinction with nations equivalent to Turkey, the place talks had dragged on.

Mr Lavrov’s rambling speech to the safety council has already lasted for much longer than these of different delegates and is constant with common swipes at Western “aggression” and “hypocrisy”.

Russian international minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West after the chilly conflict of ignoring the legacy of the founding fathers of the UN, fomenting “new world tensions”.

He accused the US and allies of meddling in Ukraine’s politics since fall of the Soviet Union to drive pro-western insurance policies in Kyiv, which didn’t symbolize the views of the individuals of Donbass (the Russian-occupied space of Ukraine), Mr Lavrov mentioned.

And he accused the West of making an attempt to suppress Russian tradition, together with individuals utilizing their native language.

Volodymyr Zelensky left the safety council assembly after his speech, avoiding a conflict with Mr Lavrov and his workforce.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited heinous examples of properties being focused and kids being eliminated type their properties, saying Russia was committing conflict crimes day by day.

He listed examples of acts of destruction he mentioned Russia was finishing up, together with concentrating on grain provides, utilizing Iranian drones.

“It’s onerous to think about a rustic demonstrating extra contempt of the UN,” Mr Blinken mentioned.

However Ukrainians weren’t giving up, he mentioned.

He pledged the US would proceed to do greater than its share of supporting the conflict effort and ship a transparent message to aggressors.

The UK is giving one other £3m to the UN Meals Programme following disruptions to grain provides, the UK’s deputy prime minister instructed the safety council.

Oliver Dowden mentioned the “hungry and malnourished individuals of the creating world” have been additionally victims of Russia’s “conflict of alternative”.

Russia was impervious to UN calls for and performed sham elections in Ukraine’s sovereign territory, he mentioned, as he highlighted the necessity for “efficient multilateralism” to safe peace, restore grain flows and assist Ukraine in its restoration”.

Poland summoned Kyiv’s envoy to the international ministry, after feedback by Ukraine’s president on a ban on grain imports angered the federal government in Warsaw, which is toughening its stance forward of October elections.

Poland has been one among Ukraine’s staunchest allies, however the nations at the moment are embroiled in a deepening battle over agricultural imports since Poland, together with Hungary and Slovakia, prolonged a ban on grain imports from their war-torn neighbour.

President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the United Nations Normal Meeting Kyiv was working to protect the land routes for grain exports, however he added that the “political theatre” round grain imports was solely serving to Moscow, which invaded Ukraine final yr.

“(Deputy International Minister Pawel Jablonski) conveyed the Polish aspect’s robust protest in opposition to the statements made by President V. Zelensky on the UN Normal Meeting yesterday, alleging that some EU nations feigned solidarity whereas not directly supporting Russia,” the international ministry mentioned in a press release.