NEW YORK / OSLO (VG) Russia exercised its veto power in the UN Security Council and denied bombing Ukraine. The UN hall became silent when Ukraine asked for a silence to remember those who have lost their lives.
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– I want to ask you all to dedicate a little moment in complete silence to pray, or meditate if you do not believe in God, for peace.
This was stated by Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya in his moving speech during the Security Council meeting on Saturday night.
With folded hands, he also invited the Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia in prayer – but was interrupted by Nebenzia – who in February is chairman and president of the Security Council.
He wanted it to also be prayed for “those in the Donbas who have lost their lives over the years”.
The UN followed the call to Ukraine and the hall fell silent. Kyslytsya thanked everyone in the hall, and applause broke out.
The ned bet
For the past two days, the Security Council has been working hard to formulate a resolution where they distance themselves from and condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
More than 50,000 Ukrainians have been forced to flee, more have been killed and the devastation is enormous.
On Saturday night, Norwegian time, the council voted on the resolution.
Russia, as the only member state, vetoed it.
China, the Emirates and India abstained.
– This was not surprising. But it shows that Russia is isolated in the Security Council, says Norway’s UN ambassador Mona Juul to VG.
While Ukrainian forces have taken up a defensive position in the center of the city of Kyiv, Russia gave its speech in the council and denied that his homeland was bombing Ukrainian cities.
He described the resolution as “anti-Russian” and thanked members who did not support the resolution.
Russia does not bomb Ukrainian cities, he claimed.
On Friday night, several explosions could be seen over Ukraine’s capital Kyiv:
– There are totally different perceptions of reality and Russia is very much alone with its description and perception of what is actually happening in Ukraine, Juul says when asked what she thinks about Russia’s speech.
Going out against Russia
During the meeting, Ukraine’s UN ambassador addressed the Russian directly.
– We are open to negotiations. We have been ready for it all along. But do not put words in our mouths. We’re shit tired of their manipulations. Speak on their own behalf, not for ours, Kyslytsya said.
– Today’s request from your President for the Ukrainian army to turn against our President. Are you crazy? Show respect for the basic principles of the UN Charter.
– In my opening speech, I talked about the UN ambassadors and that the parents are proud of them, as are the children of the UN ambassadors, Kyslytsya said before he again addressed the Russian representative directly:
– It pains me to think about what your family thinks of you when you lie here every day.
Nebenzia said there was a lot he could have commented on, but he refrained from doing so.
Here is VG’s reporter banging on live in Kyiv:
Even if Russia vetoed it, it does not mean that the job is over for the Security Council, Juul says.
– We are now working on a resolution that will be presented in the General Assembly where there is no veto power, and it will be important there as well to ensure that there is a large majority that condemns Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Since January 2021, Norway has been one of 14 member countries of the Security Council. Norway has that position until December 2022.
– In the Security Council, we will continue to look at how this pressure on Russia can be maintained, and that we will continue to insist on stopping hostilities, protecting civilians and achieving peaceful solutions and that Russia return to the negotiating table.
– We will participate in the processes and negotiations that take place in the council, and have so far each time spoken out to address this situation in the council. We have been a driving force for the Council to address this, and we have been active in supporting a resolution that was blocked today.
A video shows fierce fighting outside Kyiv on Thursday:
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