Remarks by Ambassador Ferit Hoxha at the Security Council meeting on the draft-resolution on Ukraine
Thank you, Mr. President,
Let me start by stating that I subscribe to what we just heard from the United States.
Dear Colleagues,
We are called to express, clearly and loudly, where we, our States, stand, individually and collectively,
- with respect to International Law that we have agreed to;
- with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter that we have agreed to;
- with the international norms we have commonly established to govern our relations, as independent and sovereign countries, as peace-loving nations, as responsible international actors.
As we speak, Ukraine is being bombed, people are being killed, a country in Europe is being destroyed.
By a more powerful country, its neighbor, that has decided it wants to turn the historic clock backwards; a Permanent Member of the Security Council to whom the world has given power and trust to decide on peace and security.
Instead, that country has decided to rule and inflict death!
The death of innocent civilians, the death of a democracy, the death of hope for millions of Ukrainians whose only sin, the only, is their right and desire to exist.
With its unprovoked aggression, Russia is not only inflicting untold pain and causing an unprecedented humanitarian situation:
- it has stained the UN Charter with innocent blood;
- it is burying it under the rubble of destruction in Kiev and other cities of Ukraine:
We must say no! It is not too late to stop this madness.
Dear Colleagues,
The resolution the United States and Albania have presented condemns Russia’s actions, underscores that Russia must immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and withdraw its forces. It calls upon Russia to abide by the Minsk Agreements and return to the table of negotiations, including in the Normandy Format and Trilateral Contact Group.
It also calls for the facilitation of humanitarian assistance to those in need in Ukraine – and their number grows by the hour – and urges the continuous efforts of the United Nations to respond to the humanitarian and refugee crisis that Russia’s aggression has created.
The resolution echoes the calls of the Secretary General addressed publicly to President Putin: “in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia”. It echoes numerous similar calls at the highest level, around the globe to stop war.
This is the minimum we can do! We owe this to Ukraine, its people, to the world.
Dear Colleagues,
This is a defining moment for this Council, and not only.
This is a day that will be long remembered on one single aspect, and our children, the future generation will know:
- Who stood up for respect of human life, for UN Principles, for International law, for solidarity with Ukraine, so that children, young girls, women and men, human beings live their life free and in dignity.
And who did not!
This is not a moment to look away.
This is a moment to speak up, and we call on all Members of the Council to support the text, say no to aggression, say no to unprovoked war; say no to domination of a country by a more powerful one.
Thank you.