“This is a disrespect not only for this Council and its decisions, but for the entire universal principles of international law Russia is set to respect and protect.”
STATEMENT By Mr. FERIT HOXHA, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of ALBANIA to the UNSecurity Council Meeting Briefing – Threats to International Peace and Security (Ukraine) New York, 21 February 2022
Mr. President,
Thank you USG DiCarlo for another clear and comprehensive briefing to the Security Council on this issue.
Albania condemns, in the strongest terms, Russia’s decision to recognize non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine as independent entities.
This is a breach of International Law, an affront to the UN Charter, another blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it puts an end the Minsk Agreements.
This act of the Russian Federation is null and void, has no basis and has no international legal validity. We call on the Security Council and all the United Nations Member States to reject and condemn it firmly.
Albania reiterates its firm position in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
Mr. President,
Less than a week ago, we were sitting in this very room, at the Russian initiative, to discuss the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
Today, we meet at an emergency meeting exactly because of the Russian Federation decision to violate the very Minsk Agreements.
This is a disrespect not only for this Council and its decisions, but for the entire universal principles of international law Russia is set to respect and protect.
The whole world has witnessed how the Russian Federation has continuously worked to undermine the sovereignty of Ukraine and to determine its geopolitical orientation.
What happened today is nothing less but a bis repetita of what we have seen in Georgia in 2008, and with Crimea in 2014: Aggression by fabrication of phantom republics!
Who is next?
Every UN Member State should be alarmed and realize, eyes wide open, the consequences of instrumentalization of national minorities as a weapon to undermine sovereign states, threaten regional and international peace and security.
We should not accept the “Made in Russia” model of destabilization be exported to other parts of Europe or anywhere else.
We reiterate our demand for the removal of the military troops from the Ukrainian border and from the occupied territories of Ukraine, including troops disguised as peacekeepers when they are simply aggressors.
Albania calls on the Russian Federation to stop its “fait accompli” policy, revoke this illegal decision and engage seriously and in good faith with diplomatic talks and give a chance to the Minks Agreements.
Dear Colleagues,
This is yet another critical moment for Ukraine. The UN should remain actively engaged and committed together with regional organizations to the right of the Ukraine people to live in peace and freedom.
We welcome the statement of the Secretary General and echo his call for all relevant actors to prioritize diplomacy to address all issues peacefully, as the only way forward.
Thank you!