Russia's lies are not working: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Neil Bush says that 141 countries have rejected Russia's disinformation and stand with Ukraine to demand a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I바카라 사이트檇 also like to pass on our condolences for the tragic railway accident in Greece yesterday. At the Reinforced Permanent Council last Friday, almost 50 Foreign Ministers spoke in support of Ukraine. And in condemnation of Russia. Over one year ago, Russia amassed approximately 190,000 troops on Ukraine바카라 사이트檚 borders and in illegally annexed Crimea. We had called for de-escalation, dialogue and respect for the fundamental principles of the OSCE and the UN Charter. Russia had insisted that it had no intention to invade 바카라 사이트� and it maintained that lie right up to the day before it invaded.
Mr Chair, this pattern is all too familiar with Russia. Nine years ago, Russia launched its military operation to illegally seize 10,000 square miles of Ukrainian territory by force, in clear violation of the fundamental principles of the OSCE and international law. The UK did not then, and will not ever, recognise Russia바카라 사이트檚 illegal annexation of Crimea.
This week I will focus my statement on the Resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly on 23 February 바카라 사이트� and what it tells us about the failure of Russian disinformation. 141 countries united behind the Resolution, showing solidarity with Ukraine. And only seven countries, including Russia, voted against it.
Mr Chair, 141 countries 바카라 사이트� from Djibouti to Honduras 바카라 사이트� called for 바카라 사이트渁 comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, consistent with the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States바카라 사이트�. Principles which are also enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. Principles which Russia has so egregiously violated.
141 countries 바카라 사이트� from Lesotho to Sao Tome & Principe 바카라 사이트� reaffirmed their support for the 바카라 사이트渟overeignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters바카라 사이트�. Principles which are also enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. Principles 바카라 사이트� again 바카라 사이트� which Russia has so egregiously violated.
141 countries 바카라 사이트� from South Sudan to Thailand 바카라 사이트� demanded that Russia 바카라 사이트渃ompletely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces바카라 사이트� from Ukraine. A demand that we have been making in this Council for over a year. A demand that Russia continues to ignore at tremendous cost: countless innocent lives lost. Millions of civilians displaced. Hundreds of hospitals and thousands of schools destroyed. Generations of Ukrainians scarred by abuses, trauma and forced deportation. And across the world, increased food insecurity and energy prices are affecting every country, impacting the most vulnerable. The terrible consequences of Russia바카라 사이트檚 actions over the past year will be felt for years to come.
So what does this tell us about Russia바카라 사이트檚 lies? As firmly established in this Council, Russia바카라 사이트檚 campaign of disinformation began well before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.바카라 사이트� Indeed, Russia바카라 사이트檚 lies, dishonesty and deceit are recorded in the OSCE바카라 사이트檚 archives for generations to come. It cannot be unwritten and it will not be forgotten.
Russia continues to peddle falsehoods 바카라 사이트� but to what end? Russia바카라 사이트檚 lies are not working. Let me say it again - 141 countries rejected Russia바카라 사이트檚 disinformation. Countries across the world 바카라 사이트� from Argentina to Zambia 바카라 사이트� sided with Ukraine and its right to defend itself. They sided with Ukraine바카라 사이트檚 demands for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. A peace which guarantees Ukraine바카라 사이트檚 sovereignty and territorial integrity, and which ends Russia바카라 사이트檚 constant aggression. And at last Friday바카라 사이트檚 Reinforced Permanent Council, most participating States spoke along similar lines.
As my Foreign Secretary said peace, stability and the adherence to international law remains in the interests of all OSCE members 바카라 사이트� and of every State across the world and every person within it. This is why the United Kingdom, along with the vast majority of countries of the world, will continue to support Ukraine. For as long as it takes. Thank you.