New York – 31 January 2022 | The Security Council held today an open meeting on Threats to International Peace and Security, focusing on the tense situation created by the stationing of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine. This meeting outside the program of work was convened at the request of the US. The Assistant Secretary General, Rosemary DiCarlo, briefed the Council members.
Russia objected to the meeting, arguing that there was no real threat and that troops were stationed inside Russian territory. The Norwegian Presidency put the open meeting to a procedural vote. 10 countries voted in favor (US, UK, FRA, AL, IRL, NOR, BRA, UAE, MEX, Ghana), three abstained (India, KY, Gabon) and two against (RU and China).
Di Carlo described the tense situation due to the stationing of Russian military troops near the Ukrainian-Russian border and in Belarus. She expressed the SG’s concern about the situation and offered the UN commitment to activate various mechanisms to de-escalate the situation.
The vast majority of countries, including western member states of the Council, expressed concern about the Russian threat to Ukraine; they demanded a clear stance from Russia not to threaten Ukrainian territory, and supported dialogue, both in bilateral and multilateral forums.
Russia described the European Union’s stance as unfounded, saying its troops are on Russian territory and have no intention of intervening in Ukraine. Representatives of Poland and Lithuania (on behalf of the Baltic states) also spoke at the meeting, condemning the Russian threat. The Permanent Representative of Ukraine called for diplomatic solutions even though Russia continues to send troops and weapons to the border with Ukraine. The representative of Belarus openly supported Russia.
Ambassador Hoxha expressed Albania’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty within the internationally recognized borders, highlighted the danger of the stationing of Russian military troops around Ukraine and called for the continuation of diplomatic talks in various forums. Also, focusing on our region without specifically mentioning it, he stressed the danger posed by the tendencies of genocide denial, glorification of war criminals, as well as cyber-attacks on international security.
