“Pretext for war”: Criticism of Russia in the UN Security Council

During an emergency debate convened at short notice on Monday evening, the UN Security Council heatedly discussed the situation in Russia and Ukraine. At the meeting, the US criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that he would send troops to separatist areas in eastern Ukraine. “They call them peacekeepers,” said US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “This is complete nonsense.”

Russian ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebensia said: “We remain open to diplomacy, to a diplomatic solution.” However, he added: “But we have no intention of allowing a new bloodbath in the Donbass.” Ukraine has “military plans” and is shelling and provoking Luhansk and Donetsk. After Moscow recognized the People’s Republics, this could have “extremely dangerous consequences,” said Nebensia.

“Russia has exposed itself”

US Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, on the other hand, said that Putin’s speech was a “series of outrageous, false claims”. Rather, the troop presence is “clearly the basis for Russian attempts to create a pretext for another invasion of Ukraine”.

According to German UN ambassador Antje Leendertse, Russia’s actions revealed its true intentions. Russia has repeatedly insisted that it is not involved in the Ukraine conflict, she said. “Today it was unmasked and shows that it always was.”

Ukrainian Ambassador to UN: “Will stand firm”

Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Sergei Kyslytsia stressed that his country’s borders remain “unchangeable” despite Russia’s actions. Ukraine is calling on Russia to “reverse recognition of the breakaway Ukrainian territories,” to return to the negotiating table and to order an “immediate and verifiable withdrawal of its occupying forces.”

Kyslytsia was combative: “We will be steadfast. We are on our own ground. We are not afraid of anything or anyone. We owe nothing to anyone and we give nothing to anyone.”

“Danger of a major conflict is real”

At the opening of the meeting requested by Ukraine and the western member states, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said: “The next few hours and days will be critical. The danger of a major conflict is real and must be avoided at all costs.” She said she “deeply regrets” Russian President Putin’s decision to station troops in eastern Ukraine.

Because of Russia’s veto power, the Security Council on Monday remained just a stage on which no common solutions were found. Some countries pointed out that the conflict is ongoing and that a next step by Putin could result in many victims. “An invasion of Ukraine will unleash the forces of war, death and destruction against the people of Ukraine,” said British Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward. “We call on Russia to take a step back.”

Nuclear weapons claim: Putin attacks Ukraine

Putin recognized the independence of the separatist areas in eastern Ukraine on Monday. Specifically, it is about the self-proclaimed “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk. In a television speech, the head of state also announced that Russian armed forces should secure “peace” in the areas. Agreements with the separatists provide for “mutual support” in the event of an “attack” and “joint protection” of the borders.

Putin called on Ukraine to stop all military activities in the east of the country “immediately”. Otherwise, Kiev will bear “the entire responsibility for the possible continuation of the bloodshed.” He again accused Kiev of committing “genocide” against the Russian population in eastern Ukraine and of wanting to acquire nuclear weapons.

Much criticism of Russia – China calls for restraint

Meanwhile, most members of the UN Security Council have criticized Russia’s actions – including France, Norway, Ireland, Kenya, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates. British envoy Woodward said the Council must unanimously urge Russia to “de-escalate” and “honor its commitments”. She demanded a “back down” from Putin. Referring to the Russian actions, the Albanian UN ambassador Ferit Hoxha asked: “Who is next?”

China, however, with veto power, did not explicitly condemn Russia’s steps, but instead called on all parties to the conflict to “restrain”. All sides must avoid actions “that fuel tensions,” China’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun said. His country would “welcome and encourage any efforts to find a diplomatic solution.”

The conclusion of the Ukrainian ambassador to the UN after the meeting was extremely disappointed. At the end of the nearly two-hour meeting, Kyslytsia said the United Nations was “sick” and “stricken by a virus spread by the Kremlin.” US President Joe Biden called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again on Monday evening. Details of the half-hour conversation were not initially known.

The US and the EU are introducing sanctions

Meanwhile, the United States has already imposed sanctions on the separatist areas in eastern Ukraine. A White House spokesman also told the AFP news agency that the US government will announce “new sanctions against Russia” today. “We are coordinating with allies and partners on this announcement.” The US Ambassador to the UN Thomas Greenfield also announced serious consequences for Moscow.

A high-ranking US official had previously pointed out that Russian troops had been hiding in the separatist areas for years. “If Russian soldiers march into the Donbass, that would not be a new step,” he said. “We will continue diplomacy until the tanks roll.”

The EU will also react to Putin’s decision to recognize the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states with sanctions. The punitive measures should take those involved in the action, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel on Monday evening. The two said the recognition of the two separatist areas was a “blatant violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements”.

Federal government: “Clear breach of the Minsk Agreement”

The federal government said the US, France and Germany would react together to the recognition of the separatist areas. Putin’s move represents a “clear breach of the Minsk Agreement” and has been “strongly” condemned by Washington, Paris and Berlin, said federal government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. “This step will not go unanswered.”

(with information from AFP, AP and dpa)

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