United Nations published this video item, entitled “Ukraine: Security Council | Org. for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) | United Nations (Full)” – below is their description.
UN chief of political affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that the war in Ukraine is “the most severe test” the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has faced since their creation, adding that “the Russian invasion has shaken the foundations of the European security architecture to its core.”
Addressing the Security Council today (14 Mar) in New York, DiCarlo said, “as we meet, the bloodshed continues to worsen. Russian forces have now launched deadly strikes in the west of Ukraine. Ukrainian cities are under unrelenting shelling and bombardment, with many civilians killed daily.”
The chief of political affairs also said that her office is “deeply disturbed” by reports that Ukrainian municipal officials in Russian-controlled parts of the country have been abducted, adding that there are also reports of civilians, including journalists, being targeted, allegedly by Russian forces.
DiCarlo reiterated, “we must not allow any questioning of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Such questioning would be inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.”
She continued, “amid these dire conditions, the United Nations continues to scale up not only its humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine, but also its engagement with key partners like the OSCE in support of an immediate ceasefire and a lasting diplomatic solution.”
DiCarlo highlighted, “how the OSCE and other regional actors choose to secure the future of European security cooperation will have an impact beyond Europe.”
She continued, “the UN supports all efforts to restore mutual trust and respect among regional stakeholders, which is essential to preserving the continent from new conflict and the world from further instability.”
She reiterated, “we, therefore, all have a stake in the outcome.”
Polish diplomat Zbigniew Rau spoke at the Council as the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
He said, “the war is against the interests of Russia and the Russian people and leads itself to isolation. We expect the Russian side to honor its international obligations and commitments. And a sustainable political solution must fully respect sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”
He added that the door to diplomacy is still open and called on Russia to “engage in a meaningful and substantial dialogue to seek a peaceful solution to the current crisis.”
The Polish diplomat also said, “we will continue to call on all sides of military conflicts to abide by humanitarian law and to refrain from activities directed against civilian population and the infrastructure.”
He reiterated, “we OSCE stands ready to cooperate closely with UN humanitarian agencies to facilitate and provide the necessary assistance. These matters also include creating effective evacuation routes for the civilian population.”
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya told the Council that the point of the work of the Chairperson-in-office is precisely to solve disagreements between participating States and to bring positions closer, adding that “it is in no way to take biased steps which further inflame confrontation. And especially not to head up an anti-Russian campaign in the OSCE.”
The Russian Ambassador also said that the UN over recent days “repeatedly drawn attention to the topic of mediation in conflict. What type of mediation can talk about when you obviously have picked aside in this conflict?”
Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya underlined the need to “explore all OSCE tools to document Russian crimes, and to ensure public and timely reaction by the Chairperson-in-Office, special representatives and the OSCE autonomous institutions.”
He said, “we expect the [inaudible] to be vocal on the cases to flagrant human rights violations stemming from the Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Ambassador Kyslytsya continued, “Russia is intensifying its propaganda and disinformation campaign and we consider that the OSCE representative on Freedom of the Media has to pay close attention to Russia’s false narratives.”
He appreciated OSCE’s “strong stance against violations against journalists, which remains an element of the Russian aggression.”
United Nations YouTube Channel
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