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Ambassador Robert Wood
Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs
New York, New York
December 20, 2024
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu, for your presentation.
Colleagues, this is my final session with the Council. Let me be frank.
Almost three years ago, when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin was convinced it could dominate another independent country in contravention of the UN Charter, with minimal resistance.
The Ukrainians, however, demonstrated the Kremlin’s miscalculation, courageously fighting for their nation, their future, their identity, their children, their liberty, and their lives.
The United States, as a permanent member of this Council, along with allies from across the globe, will persist in assisting Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s aggression. This commitment stems from our enduring belief in the UN Charter, which ought to remain the cornerstone of nations’ behavior.
Ukraine must triumph against Russia’s unwarranted war. We need an equitable, lasting peace, grounded in the UN Charter.
This document, the UN Charter, holds significance. It has helped maintain global safety from the threat of another worldwide conflict for 80 years. Over these years, through all challenges, this Council has collaborated to uphold its principles and resist territorial usurpation.
Yet today, a permanent member of this Council is brazenly violating the UN Charter. Russia is flouting resolutions of this Council, which it supported – resolutions intended to prevent a rogue nation from attaining nuclear capabilities.
Nearly three years ago, we engaged with the Russians in this Chamber, advocating for de-escalation, discussions, peace negotiations – anything except war. The Kremlin dismissed our pleas then, because Putin ignores the discourse held here.
In this context, I must mention another permanent member of this Council. China’s backing of Russia stands in stark contradiction to the principles of the UN Charter. China has articulated in this Council that sovereignty and territorial integrity should be upheld, but if it were genuine about that, it would leverage its influence to halt Russia’s infringement on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Let us focus not on China’s rhetoric, but its actual conduct.
China continues to supply Russia’s military industry with dual-use goods, including bomb fabrication materials, machine components, equipment and tools for munitions factories, technology for drones and missiles. Russia relies on these Chinese exports for its strikes against Ukraine’s civilians and infrastructure. Chinese firms provide and profit from these supplies. By allowing these exports to persist, Beijing implicitly endorses Russia’s conflict. Moreover, PRC companies have aided in the development and production of long-range attack UAVs for Russia.
If China truly seeks a “peaceful resolution” to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, it must cease its provisions to Russia’s war apparatus, impose sanctions on Russia, demand its troop withdrawal, and take the lead in fostering an international response as a permanent member of this Council entrusted with upholding the UN Charter’s principles.
Instead, China is a pivotal enabler of Russia’s offensive against Ukraine and has declined to employ its influence constructively. It has afforded Russia political cover by reiterating its spurious justifications for the war and suggesting we should disregard the UN Charter due to “the situation on the ground changing.” China has recommended that we not connect Russia’s aggression in Ukraine with the DPRK’s aspiration for nuclear capability, even though it is evident that Russia is assisting the DPRK with its nuclear goals in exchange for soldiers and arms to deploy against Ukraine. Regarding Russia, China has shown that it is not a credible actor in the pursuit of peace.
In this Council, China delineated its three principles for the conflict: “no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of the conflict, and no provocations.” However, China remained passive as Russia contravened all three principles by involving the DPRK in the conflict. Russia has dispatched nearly 12,000 DPRK troops, including elite special forces, to combat Ukraine.
Furthermore, Russia has breached multiple resolutions of this Council by importing over 20,000 shipping containers of munitions from the DPRK, which contain at least 6 million heavy artillery rounds and in excess of 100 ballistic missiles. China wields substantial influence with both Moscow and Pyongyang, yet it has opted not to utilize that influence to counter Russian-DPRK military collaboration.
China has refrained from criticizing Russia for acquiring missiles and Shahed drones from Iran or for testing an experimental hypersonic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead on the Ukrainian populace.
In this Council, China has advocated for the safeguarding of civilians and prisoners of war. Yet, China has neglected to condemn Russian forces for executing summary executions, arbitrary detentions, torture, rape, and various forms of sexual violence; forcibly deporting hundreds of children; and deliberately targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and other essential facilities.
China did not withdraw its support for Russia when it jeopardized global food security by blockading grain shipments through the Black Sea and by attacking grain vessels, ports, and Ukraine’s agricultural output.
Colleagues, Russia only heeds strength and action, something we collectively lacked when it invaded Crimea, and previously when it invaded Georgia. Appeasing them failed then, and it will not succeed now. This is why the United States and our allies will persist in supporting Ukraine and the fundamental tenets of sovereignty and territorial integrity enshrined in the UN Charter. As a global community, we must denounce acts of aggression.
It is acknowledged that there have been aerial assaults in both directions across the Russia-Ukraine frontier in the past 24 hours. Unfortunately, multiple reports indicate that civilians have been killed on both fronts. We should not find ourselves here. No civilian, whether Russian or Ukrainian, should have to endure such suffering. Russia initiated this conflict, and it is Russia that can put an end to this distress.
This is, as mentioned, my final meeting with you in the Council. It has been a privilege to serve in this capacity. The endeavors we undertake have significance. Our resolve to hold wrongdoers accountable is crucial.
I wish I could conclude on a more optimistic note. If Russia escapes accountability, far more individuals will endure hardships in avoidable conflicts. No leader should ever again presume that they can overrun another nation without facing a united, global opposition. The world must always respond robustly to deter future aggression.
I appreciate your camaraderie, and I leave you with my warmest regards and with hope.
Thank you.
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