In view of a possible war with Russia, the Ukraine conjured up resistance before the United Nations. “We will stand firm. We are on our own ground. We are not afraid of anything or anyone. We don’t owe anyone anything and we don’t give anyone anything,” Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN, Serhiy Kyslytsia, said at the emergency meeting. It’s “not February 2014. It’s February 2022,” he said, referring to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
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Russia has threatened Ukraine with further consequences. Kiev has “military plans” and would shell and provoke Luhansk and Donetsk. After Moscow’s recognition, this “could have extremely dangerous consequences,” Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebensia said at the meeting. “We do not intend to allow a new bloodbath in Donbass.” But he also asserted: “We remain open to diplomacy for a diplomatic solution.”
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The ambassador blamed the Ukrainian leadership for the escalation. Kiev’s refusal to negotiate directly with the separatists showed that it did not want to fulfill the Minsk agreement. To avoid war, Ukraine must now be forced to end its provocations.
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From the perspective of Germany Russia has revealed its true intentions in the region through the deployment order. “Russia has repeatedly insisted that it is not involved in the (Ukraine) conflict. Today it has been unmasked and shows that it always was,” said German Ambassador to the UN Antje Leendertse ahead of the emergency meeting. Together with the allies, Germany will take “decisive and appropriate measures” to respond to Russia’s violation of international law. This will have serious economic, political and geostrategic consequences.
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Even Japan Condemns Russia’s actions as unacceptable and contrary to international law. That said Head of State Fumio Kishida. If Russia invades Ukraine, Japan will join forces with its international allies and prepare a strong response, including sanctions.
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China has called on all those involved in the Ukraine conflict to exercise restraint. “All parties concerned must exercise restraint and avoid anything that could fuel tensions,” Chinese Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun said ahead of the emergency meeting. “We believe that all countries should resolve international disputes through peaceful means consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.”
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Great Britain fears a humanitarian disaster if Russia invades Ukraine. “An invasion of Ukraine will unleash the forces of war, death and destruction against the people of Ukraine. The humanitarian impact will be terrible for civilians fleeing the fighting,” British Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward said at the emergency meeting. Women and children would suffer the most. “Russia has brought us to the abyss. We call on Russia to take a step back.”
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You can read the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis in our live blog.
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