“Our independence is your security, the security of the whole world” Zelensky emphasized in a video conference speech during a meeting that coincided with the six months since the start of the Russian invasion.
The President of Ukraine insisted withdraw from Russia and should also be held responsible for his “aggression”.
Zelensky underlined the international impact of the invasion of Ukraine both in the future because of the precedent it may entail, and more recently because of its effects on the global food and energy crisis or the risk of a nuclear disaster. .
Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
In this sense, he blamed Russia. “bring the world to the brink of a radioactive catastrophe” The one that turned the Zaporizhia plant, the largest in Europe, into a “battlefield” and has been under the control of Russian forces almost since the beginning of the war.
According to Zelensky, Russia a “provocation” with bombings and sending of “terrorists” threatens all of Europe and other neighboring regions.
The Ukrainian leader supported a mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Zaporizhia, as UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya did on Tuesday, asking that agency to assume “permanent control” of the facility. .
Russia’s veto attempt
Zelenski intervened in the Security Council via videoconference. Russia tried to prevent it at the last moment, He argues, like others, that the Ukrainian president should be in the room to speak and not do it remotely.
However, when the issue was put to a vote, his position failed to gain the support of any other member of the Council, as thirteen countries supported Zelensky’s intervention. China abstained and Russia alone in its refusal.
The session was opened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who evaluated the six-month war and its “devastating” effects.
“Thousands of civilians died and were injured, including hundreds of children. Many lost their family, friends and loved ones. The world has witnessed gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law must be committed without being held accountable. “Millions of Ukrainians lost their homes and properties, were internally displaced or became refugees.”
Guterres warned that humanitarian needs will increase as winter approaches and stressed that Ukrainians “need and need peace now”, but made it clear that this must be peace in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.