Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you Mr. President,
Aotearoa New Zealand condemns unequivocally Russia’s attempts to illegally annex Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine.
Russia’s sham referenda in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are illegitimate, and have no legal basis for acquisition of Ukraine’s territory by Russia.
Let us be clear. Russia’s attempts to annex these regions are a further act of aggression in clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in flagrant breach of international law. This Hall has made clear that annexation by the use of force of the territory of another State or part thereof qualifies as an act of aggression.
We as a General Assembly, as an international community, have an obligation to speak up when there is a violation of international law. We must use our collective voices to condemn any states’ flagrant violation of the UN Charter.
This is not just our opinion. The facts speak for themselves. The UN Secretary General has reiterated that Russia’s actions have no basis in any international legal framework and are a clear-cut violation of the UN Charter. Russia must comply with the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice to immediately suspend its military operations in the territory of Ukraine.
We also cannot ignore the real human suffering that extends from this violation of the foundational purpose and principles of the United Nations. These concepts are not simply theoretical to discuss in this Hall. Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has already caused thousands of deaths, a massive humanitarian crisis and untold suffering. It must end.
We also reiterate the Secretary General’s point that the impacts of this war extend well beyond the region, affecting our global economy, especially on developing countries and setting back our critical work to deliver life-saving aid in Ukraine and beyond.
As we have seen from the start of Russia’s invasion, New Zealand continues to call on President Putin to act consistently with international obligations, cease Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, withdraw troops, and return to diplomatic negotiations as a pathway to resolution of this conflict.
New Zealand continues to stand in support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We call on all delegations in the Hall to vote in favour of the presented draft resolution. This is a vote not only support Ukraine, but but a vote to support the UN charter.
Thank you.