Thank you, Mr. President,
I thank ASG Khiari for his briefing.
Let me first thank you, Mr. President, for the quick reaction to a request sent today by 25 Member States, Albania included, to organize this meeting.
Your understanding, flexibility and prompt reaction reflect the very professional way in which you have conducted business during this entire month.
Colleagues,
In two days, we will say goodbye to this year.
Everyone on earth is preparing to end this difficult year in the best and most joyful atmosphere, surrounded by loved ones, with hope and wishes for a better tomorrow.
Well, maybe not really everyone, because in the Kremlin they seem to have other plans, and are busy thinking of ways to destroy and inflict more pain to those they have been assaulting in every possible way during the last two years, showing once more what we already know: their total disregard for human life.
Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, which, – remember, was meant to be a walk through Ukraine but turned horribly wrong – has never been shy of the worst, of war crimes and crimes against humanity, of deliberate destruction with a view to put to knees an entire nation. We have exposed them continuously during these two years, and the UN General Assembly has been clear and loud.
But today, this reckless behavior has reached a new record. A massive Russian air attack, the biggest since February 2022, combined hypersonic and other missiles along with illegally acquired Iranian drones, and hit different targets all over the country: Kiiv, Lviv, Odesa, and many other major cities.
The latest count speaks of 31 persons have been killed and more than 160 injured.
In an already recognizable Russian signature attack, nothing was spared: a hospital, a shopping mall, a train station, educational facilities & residential building were hit simultaneously.
Military targets, they always say, as always; civilian, social and critical infrastructure they turn out to be, in reality. Over and over again.
This latest attack is hardly a message of peace; it is not a sign that Russia seeks to resolve what it stated.
It is instead, a stark reminder to the world that the Kremlin objective remains the same: to destroy Ukraine and terrorize and subjugate its people.
And when they are caught red handed, they just accuse Ukraine of self-destruction, self-immolation and suicide.
No one believes such absurdities but it doesn’t matter. The muted domestic opinion will unfortunately, and that is enough.
Russian pundits and news anchors were competing today to joyfully portraying the attack in the most macabre and cynical way – as the end of year fireworks for Ukraine.
We condemn these horrific attacks at the strongest terms. We are not the only ones. The Secretary General has condemned in the strongest terms the overnight large-scale missile and drone attack by Russia on Ukrainian cities and towns across the country, including against civilian and critical infrastructure.
This Security Council has resolved that attacks on civilian infrastructure constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law. It has also decided that the responsible persons should be held accountable.
The world public opinion has already done so! Until this is done also in a court of law, we must show all possible support and solidarity with Ukraine and embolden international support for their just and right cause.
Colleagues,
We have said it from the very beginning: Russia’s war in Ukraine represents the most acute threat to the European Security Architecture.
There are reports that a Russian missile has entered the airspace of Poland, a member of NATO. While investigation is underway to determine facts, such provocations, if verified, could bring the situation to another level of escalation. Something we all should be worried and concerned by.
Colleagues,
It has been clear since the first day that Russia is the aggressor, the invader the transgressor, and the Ukrainian people are defending themselves, their freedom, their country, and their dignity.
Therefore, there cannot be calls on both sides, as we hear here and there, but only on one side, on those who started and continue with this madness.
We’ll continue to support Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved, in line with the UN Charter, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
We must not allow Russia to succeed and impose its imperial vision to others. If we allow it to do so with its neighbors, they will read it as a license to do so with the entire continent. This is why we should continue to support Ukraine, because we support peace, stability and prosperity in the entire continent.
Thank you!
