agreements exist in international law. mr. president begging the , question but nonetheless worth repeating. ghana unreservedly stands by the sovereignty of ukraine. a member of the united nations whose membership of this organization provides grantees of internationally recognized borders. the same borders of which they joined this organization. it would not make a strategic and for either party. i encourage to address both immediate and long-term interests through diplomacy and dialogue. i remind all parties to practice tolerance. finally we take this opportunity to urge all member states to exercise restraint. under respective -- and to

uphold the established laws through the charters of the united nations. any differences that must be -- the exist must be adjusted by peaceful and legal means. i think you very much. >> i think the representative of ghana for his statement and give the floor to the representative of kenya. thank you, mr. president. >> i thank the secretary general for his urgent plea for peace and undersecretary general decarlo for her briefing. in this grave moment, kenya continues to call for respectful -- respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of ukraine in line with the ten -- core tenets of the united

nations charter. kenya is deeply concerned by the rapid escalation following the recognition of donetsk, and luhansk, as independent states by the russian federation and the continued military escalation. we are concerned that there is a serious risk they conflict enveloping the whole of the region will of her, presents trends holding. such a development would instantly lead to significant loss of life, a humanitary -- humanitarian crisis and the large scale of population movement of refugees. can you urgently calls for calm by all parties and their commitment to protecting civilians and civilian objects from any actions contrary to international law and international humanitarian law. we continue to believe there is still an opportunity for diplomacy to produce a solution to this dangerous crisis.

the required diplomatic steps should seek in the short-term for the deescalation of the situation and the limiting of all military maneuvers to prevent sparking a wider conflict. for this to happen, there must also be a stated commitment to negotiations between nato and the russian federation in the middle and long term. such a commitment would need to design a viable security architecture for europe that protects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of ukraine and other states while being sensitive to the concerns of all relevant parties. mr. president, we want to believe that this chamber in light of its storied past retains the wisdom and wherewithal to prevent a

catastrophic war. we are confident that the united nations charter protects ukraine and all countries. not only those with modest military means but also the world's nuclear powers. when we consider the recent paths of war undertaken by choice and when the charter and international law are breached, eventually the safety and security of all parties was tragically undermined. mr. president, the membership of this chamber was fundamentally shaped by the states which emerged victorious from world war ii. in doing so, the charter put on them a special responsibility that reflected the sacrifices they made to defeat a unique evil to mankind. we believe that the leaders today -- were be profoundly humbled. so much so that they were

inspired to erect the sovereign equality of states on a central pillar of our united nations. as such, we urge all members to recall the war that has been experienced by most states sitting around this table. it is in this moment of peril that we can recommit to the charter our predecessors bequeathed us. a large part of that would be aided by our listening to the secretary general and utilizing the office to deliver according to their intended design. in the coming days, we hope we will observe the deescalation in donbas and every effort will be made to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of ukraine. we further hope that we will benefit from the visionary leadership that the world needs today in committing to negotiating a lasting european

security architecture that lowers perceptions of threats and promotes cooperation. i thank you. >> i thank the representative of kenya for his statement and give the floor to the representative of gabon. >> thank you. i thank the secretary general for his statement as well as undersecretary decarlo for the information she provided. this is the fourth time in three weeks this council is meeting to discuss the situation in ukraine. we are meeting this evening, 48 hours after our last meeting on the subject because the territorial integrity and the national sovereignty of ukraine have been attacked.

we are meeting this evening because men, women and children are caught in murderous violence in eastern ukraine leading to a massive exodus which imperils their dignity and safety. we meet this evening because once again, the specter of a war with redoubtable consequences hangs over an entire region and because we fear an imminent invasion of ukraine. we see an attack on the fundamental principles of the charter of the united nations. and we must go further and ensure that all of the provisions of the charter are respected and that the international community focus with the same commitment on the need for preserving peace and security.

the decision of russia to recognize the independence of donetsk and lujan -- luhansk sidelines the relevance and importance over the menacing -- of the minsk agreements and heightens an imminent military attack on ukraine. my country remains attached to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of every state. the perspective of these principles is the basis of our social contract as members of the international community. we are persuaded that intense diplomatic activity in recent weeks will lead to the prevalence of dialogue and

contribute to avoiding the irreparable -- eight years ago mr. president in a conflict similar to that which brings us here today, two member states of the general assembly abstained while the same fundamental principles of the charter of the united nations that bring us together today were violated. this refusal to align themselves not very long ago translates a lack of understanding, perhaps of the international community of the persistence of zones of influence which we thought had been overcome after the end of colonization. unfortunately this terrible , reality remains in several regions of the world, in asia and africa and today in europe once again. this council must guarantee the

fundamental principles of the charter. it must ensure the respect of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. we call for an immediate cease-fire and deescalation as well as a sense of responsibility by giving priority to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in accordance with the charter and call for protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and refraining from any action that could create an obstacle for the provision of humanitarian assistance for the population that is so sorely needed. i wish to conclude by reiterating my country's attachment to a rules-based international order, one based on the rule of law, not on the law that the strongest will prevail. thank you very much, sir.

>> i thank the representative of gabon for his statement and give the floor to the representative of mexico. >> thank you, mr. president. my country is grateful for call of the secretary-general that in this chamber, and we thank him for being here. we also thank ms. decarlo for her briefing. despite widespread calls from the international community tensions around ukraine instead , of having decreased have , increased. for this reason, we see ourselves obliged to meet once again in this chamber. we all, as member states, having ratified the charter of the united nations committed , ourselves to respecting the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states.

we members of the security council have the responsibility first for the maintenance of peace and international security. this creates the obligation to guarantee that the security council can perform its mandates and ensure the respect for the charter of the united nations. mexico supports all of the secretary general's statements and calls on parties to avail themselves of the good offices which the secretary general has offered. the president of mexico declared just this morning we will not accept the invasion of one country by another, since it is against international law. we recall once again that russia , a few days ago, in this very chamber, before the international community, made an emphatic declaration that it would not invade ukraine. the sending of a special mission runs counter to this statement. if there were an invasion, this

would be an act of aggression in accordance with the resolution 3314 of the general assembly. we will not waiver in our call for detente diplomacy and dialogue. a diplomatic solution is the only way of drawing away from the precipice which would be a , war in europe. thank you very much, sir. >> i thank the representative of mexico for her statement and now i shall make a statement in my capacity as a representative of the russian federation. colleagues, today we have had an intensive day from point of view of discussions of the ukrainian crisis. i repeat what i said this morning at the general assembly. i can only say with regret, taking stock over the day our signal to kyiv to stop or

not heeded. our ukrainian colleagues recently have been -- bombed and egged on by a host of states are harboring the illusion that with the benediction of their western sponsors they will be able to achieve a military solution to the problem in donbass. that explains the intensification of shelling and acts of diversion on the territories of these republics. we reported today almost 2,000 cases of violations of the cease-fire regime including , almost 1,500 explosions. those living in donetsk still sheltering in basements. the refugees are still flowing into russia. you don't want to notice this, repeating the ukrainian fairy tales that those living in donetsk are all but shelling themselves. it is no surprise it does not

seem to affect our western colleagues. through the whole day of debate today at the general assembly you have not been able to find , one word of compassion or condolences. it is as if these 4 million people, for you, simply don't exist. i would like to recall the principle of sovereignty, calls for an equality of states, the violation of which we are being accused of violating in ukraine, according to declaration of principles of international law, adopted in 1970, they should be fully complied with as states -- as regards states who conduct themselves in compliance with the principle of equal rights and self-determination of people, representing the people, without distinction of race, creed or color, the whole people

living in that territory. today's government in the ukraine is not that. when in dialogue with the russian-speaking citizens of ukraine, the new authorities brandished guns and airplanes at them. it is a test might to this end is more than sufficient. however our western colleagues prefer not to notice this. we tried yesterday and today for to explain to you the logic of the decision made by russia to recognize the lp r & d pr and focus on peace and security there. however, you don't want to hear this and you don't want to hear it now. for years, those living in donbas are pawns in a game of -- geopolitical game of weakening russia.

for us, these people are women, children, the elderly who for eight years have been cowering from ukraine shelling. this is a difference in our approaches. if you do not change the geo-political lens, you will ever understand. then on whose behalf this decision was made, have not been thought about over these eight years simply calling them pro-russian separatists and terrorists. those are the most important -- the root of today's crisis around ukraine is the actions of ukraine. who for many years of sabotaging its obligations under the minsk package of measures. last week, there was a hope that kyiv would rethink and implement what it signed up to do in 2015. they needed direct dialogue with

demands and luhansk. -- do not and luhansk. however they are not ready for this dialogue and steps to grant donbass a special state in accordance with the minsk agreement, with the support of this position from western backers finally convinced us that we simply cannot force those living in the donbas to -- -- suffer more. the ukrainian provocation against those in donbass a not only has not stopped but has intensified. the leaders of the lpr and dpr turned to us to provide support in line with bilateral cooperation agreements, agreed at the same time as recognition. this is a logical step which is a consequence of the actions of the ukrainian regime. during this meeting, the president of russia spoke with -- said that he made a decision

for a special military operation in donbass. we don't know all of the details today but briefly i would like to inform you that from his status, the occupation of ukraine is not in our plans. the aim of this special operation is to protect the people who for over eight years have been suffering genocide from the kyiv regime and for this we will deem -- the genocide of ukraine. also support those and hold accountable those who carried out so many crimes against civilians. this decision was made in line with article 51 of the u.n. charter and section of the russian federation and fulfilling the agreement and recognition. we were receiving a lot of information and we will analyze this and keep you up to speed with this.

now i resume my function as president of this council and i give the floor to the representative of ukraine. >> distinguished members of the security council, secretary general, undersecretary, before i try to deliver part of the statement that i came here with tonight, most of it is already useless. since 10:00 p.m. new york time. i would like to cite article 4 of the u.n. charter. and it says, " membership in the united nations is open to all peace loving states which

accept the obligations contained in the present charter and in the judgment of the organization are able and willing to carry out these obligations" -- these obligations." russia is not able to carry out any of the obligations. the ambassador of the russian federation, three minutes ago, confirmed his president has declared a war on my country. so before i read part of my statement, i would like to avail the presidents -- the presence of the secretary-general and request the secretary general to distribute among the members

of the security council and the members of the general assembly , the legal memos by the legal council over the united nations dated december 1991. ,and in particular the legal , memo dated 19th of december, 1991. the one that we have been trying to get out of the secretary for a very long time and we were denied to get it. article 4, paragraph two of the charter reads, " the admission of any state for membership in the united nations will be affected by the decision of the general assembly upon the recommendation of the security council." mr. secretary-general, please

instruct to distribute among the members of the security council and members of the general assembly a decision by the security council dated december, 1991 that recommends that the russian federation can be a member of this organization. as well as the decision by the general assembly dated december 1991 where the general assembly , welcomes the russian federation to this organization. it would be a miracle if the secretary was able to produce such decisions. there is nothing in the charter of the united nations about continuity as a sneaky way to get into the organization. so when i was coming here an hour ago, i was intending the

-- to ask the russian ambassador to confirm, on the record, that the russian troops will not start firing at ukrainians today and go ahead with the offensive. it became useless 48 minutes ago. because about 48 minutes ago, your president declared war on ukraine. so now i would like to ask the ambassador of the russian federation to say it, on the record, that at this very moment your troops do not shell and bomb ukrainian cities. that your troops do not move in the territory of ukraine. you have a smart phone. you can call now. we can make a pause to let you

go out and call him. if you are not in the position to give an affirmative answer, the russian federation ought to relinquish responsibilities of the president of the security counsel, pass these responsibilities to a legitimate member over the security council council, a member that is respectful of the charter and i ask the members of the security council to convene an emergency meeting immediately and consider all necessary decisions to stop the war because it is too late, my dear colleagues to speak about , deescalation. too late. the russian president declared a war.

should i play the video of your president? should i do that right now? you can confirm it. do not interrupt me, please. thank you. >> don't ask me questions when i'm speaking. >> you declared the war, it is the responsibility of this body to stop the war. so i call on every one of you to do everything possible to stop the war. or should i play the video of your president declaring the war? thank you very much. >> i must say that i thank the representative of ukraine for his statement and the questions i wasn't planning to answer them because i have already said all i know at this point, waking up mr. lavrov at this time is something i don't plan to do.

the information we have is something we provide. this is not called a war. this is called a military -- a special military operation in donbas. i now give the floor to the representative from germany. >> mr. president, we meet at the very moment of a military escalation we have not experienced in europe for over a generation's time. the president of the russian federation announced a military operation on ukrainian territory. we condemn this in the strongest possible terms. we call upon all members of the security council and the united nations to now stand up for you -- for ukraine and against a shameless breach of international law. two days ago russia's decision , to recognize the self-proclaimed so-called peoples republic of donetsk and luhansk was harshly rejected in

this council. it had already dealt a devastating blow to the principles and international order that the united nations stands for. russia has not listened and it turns out it was not prepared to listen. it has continued its massive military build-up and we observed and observed cyber attacks directed against ukraine and now russian military is moving into ukrainian territory. by the actions and this unprovoked military action, -- military operations of russia is violating the core principles of the u.n. charter. we condemn the use of force against innocent people and the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of ukraine in the strongest possible terms. we urge russia to terminate its military action against ukraine immediately and restore its troops. mr. president, our thoughts are with the ukrainian people. we will be steadfast in our

support for ukraine and our support for the u.n. charter. the russian aggression will come at an unprecedented price politically, economically and morally. mr. president, france, ukraine and my country stood ready for diplomacy. for the summit that ukraine proposed with our allies and partners, we called on russia to seek a diplomatic way forward, in vain. now is the moment to speak up and defend the international order of the u.n. charter against unilateral aggression, jointly and tonight we stand with ukraine and we are doing so unwavering and determined. thank you, mr. president. >> i thank the representative from germany for her statement. and now i give the floor to the united states who wishes to make , a further statement. >> thank you.

in my remarks tonight, i said that we predicted russia's false flag attacks. the misinformation, the theatrical emergency meetings and cyber attacks. one piece had not come to pass. unfortunately, while we have meeting -- been meeting in the security council tonight, it appears that president putin has ordered that last step. at the exact time as we are gathered in the council seeking peace, putin delivered a message of war, in total disdain for the responsibility of this council. this is a grave emergency. the council will need to act and we will put a resolution on the table tomorrow. as president biden said tonight,

russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring. and the united states and our allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. the world will hold russia accountable. thank you. >> i think the representative of the united states for her statement. i would now like to give the floor to the representative of the united kingdom who asks to make a further statement. >> thank you. as we sat in this chamber urging russia to step back, president putin announced special military operations on ukrainian territory. this is unprovoked and unjustified. this is a great day for ukraine

and for the principles of the united nations. we and our partners have been clear that there will be consequences for russia's actions. we fully support the united states' call for u.n. security council resolution. this council must do all it can to stop the war and uphold the charter. thank you. >> i think representative of the united kingdom and now give the floor to the representative of albania who also wished to make , a further statement. >> dear colleagues. we could not end this meeting with what we have feared and anticipated is happening. explosions are reported in kyiv and several of the cities in ukraine. tanks are in.

as we speak, russia is -- its -- is implementing its plan in attacking a neighbor to whom it decided to deny existence, freedom, land, dignity and life. we call on all of the members of the united nations to rally in support of ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. to stand with ukraine and its people, to condemn fully this aggression, to stand for peace, rules, international law and whatever measures they deem necessary to show the aggressor that there actions will bear consequences. to reiterate, russia will be held responsible for causing unprovoked war, for causing pain and destruction. for bringing, for choosing to become -- without cooperation. russia will bear historical blame for consequences for invading a neighboring country and attempting to destroy european security.

let's make sure it will not succeed. thank you. >> i thank the representative of albania and give the floor to the representative of france for a further statement. >> mr. president, at the time, when we were in an emergency meeting, to try to prevent the worst and from war breaking out, we learned that the president of the russian federation had coordinated a special military operation in donbas and that russia will do it utmost to demilitarize ukraine. russia has therefore chosen war. france condemns in the strongest possible terms, the initiation

of these operations. this decision, announced at the very moment when the council was meeting shows the disdain that russia has for international law and for the united nations. russia must be accountable to the security council for this reason. france will join its partners in this council and in the hours to come, we will prepare a resolution condemning the war conducted by russia. we call on all members of this council to support us and under these tragic circumstances we call on the russian federation to respect international humanitarian law no matter what the circumstance is. we call for the protection and respect of all civilians , including particularly full

marble persons, women, children and humanitarian personnel. thank you, sir. >> i think the representative of france and i give the floor now to the representative of ireland to make a further statement. >> thank you, mr. president. when i spoke earlier, i said that the path for diplomacy and the path for dialogue was perilously narrow. i didn't realize, in fact, how narrow and indeed how close to the precipice we were just over an hour ago. we now see that the path has been closed by the announcement of a military aggression on the part of the russian federation against ukraine. that is something that we roundly condemn. we stand with the people of ukraine tonight with every man, woman and child who has seen this news as we did as we sat here in the chamber. whose lives are at risk. we believe there is now time indeed for this council to stand

up and assume its responsibility and to speak out in the strongest possible terms about this act of aggression. thank you, mr. pregnant -- president. >> i now give the floor to the representative of ukraine to make a further statement. >> as i said, relinquish her duties of the chair. call putin to stop aggression. i welcome the decision of some members of this council. as soon as possible to consider the necessary decision. we must condemn the aggression that you have launched on my people. there is no purgatory for war criminals. they go straight to hell, ambassador.

>> i wanted to say in conclusion that we are not being aggressive against ukrainian people but against the junta that is in power in kyiv. there are no more speakers on the list. this meeting is adjourned. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2022] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is seen.

♪ >> [speaking russian] >> the provisional agenda for this meeting is d did february 28, 2014 from