President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky argued during an open debate at the United Nations Security Council that the UN could have stopped Russian aggression and genocide if it were not for the Russian veto in the Security Council.
– Everyone in the world sees what he does UN helpless, this is the seat on the Security Council that Russia occupies illegally, using behind-the-scenes manipulations after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and which was occupied by liars whose task is to whitewash the aggression and genocide committed by Russia, said the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
– All UN action, whether by the Security Council or the General Assembly, that could have stopped this aggression was shattered by the privilege given to the aggressor in the form of this place. The veto power in the hands of an aggressor is what pushed the UN into the impasse it is in today, he added.
He emphasized that returning to the principles of the United Nations Charter is a key point of the Ukrainian peace plan, but for this to happen, changes are needed in the UN.
Volodymyr Zelensky during a debate in the UN Security CouncilPAP/EPA/JUSTIN LANE
He called for thorough reforms of the system, including the possibility of bypassing the veto of a permanent member of the Council by voting in the General Assembly, suspending him from his rights if he commits aggression against another state, as well as expanding the group of permanent members, among others. for the African Union, IndiaJapan, Muslim countries, Pacific countries, South America or Germany.
“An inexhaustible source of dynamite for a rules-based international order”
The Ukrainian president also said that the Russian occupation of Ukraine is “an inexhaustible source of dynamite for the rules-based international order.” He stressed that to restore order, it is necessary to end it, including “the complete withdrawal of all Russian soldiers and military formations, including the Russian Black Sea Fleet or its leaking remnants” beyond the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.
He also proposed organizing meetings of advisors to heads of state or diplomatic representatives to discuss the 10-point Ukrainian peace plan.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Dmytro Kuleba in New YorkPAP/EPA/JUSTIN LANE
Zelensky was the first to speak at Wednesday’s Council meeting after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, having been invited by Albania, which holds the presidency. This fact was hotly opposed by the Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia. However, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who chaired the meeting, responded by assuring that the Ukrainian president’s speech was not a “special operation of the Albanian presidency” and pointed out that the reason for the discussion was Russian aggression against Ukraine.
– There is a solution to this. If you agree to stop this war, President Zelensky will not speak out, Rama concluded.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JUSTIN LANE