Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya lambasted Russia throughout a gathering of the U.N. Safety Council Wednesday night time and referred to as on its ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, to surrender his seat as president of the council over its assault on Ukraine. (The presidency of the U.N. Safety Council rotates on a month-to-month foundation among the many 15 members. February 2022 is Russia’s month.)
“I used to be aspiring to ask the Russian ambassador to verify on the file that the Russian troops won’t begin firing at Ukrainians in the present day and go forward with the offensive,” Kyslytsya mentioned. “It grew to become ineffective 48 minutes in the past, as a result of about 48 minutes in the past, your president declared conflict on Ukraine.”
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The Ukrainian ambassador referred to as for Nebenzia to state “on the file” that Russian forces at this second usually are not bombing Ukrainian cities, and troops usually are not transferring into the nation.
“You could have a smartphone. You’ll be able to name Lavrov proper now,” he mentioned, in reference to Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Kyslytsya continued, “If you’re not ready to offer an affirmative reply, the Russian Federation must relinquish duties of the president of the Safety Council, cross these duties on to a official member of the Safety Council, a member that’s respectful of the constitution.”
The Ukrainian ambassador informed Safety Council members it is “too late” to talk about an escalation of Russian aggression in opposition to Ukraine.
“The Russian president declared the conflict on the file. Ought to I play the video of your president, ambassador? Ought to I do this? You’ll be able to verify it,” he informed the Russian envoy. “It’s the accountability of this physique to cease the conflict, so I name on each one in every of you to do all the pieces attainable to cease the conflict.”
In response to Kyslytsya’s remarks, Nebenzia declined to disturb Lavrov and rejected the characterization of Russia’s actions as “a conflict.”
“This is not referred to as a conflict — that is referred to as a particular navy alternative within the Donbas,” he mentioned.
Kyslytsya reiterated his name for Russia’s consultant on the U.N. to relinquish his duties and declared “There is no such thing as a purgatory for conflict criminals. They go straight to hell, ambassador.”
