Remarks at the staking out of the UN General Assembly after the adoption of a resolution on a comprehensive peace in Ukraine
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
US Representative to the United Nations
New-York, New-York
February 23, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Remarks at the staking out of the UN General Assembly after the adoption of a resolution on a comprehensive peace in Ukraine
Good evening everyone. I think you already had a long list of people here so let me start by thanking you all.
Today’s vote was truly historic. You’ve seen where the world’s countries stand a year after Russia’s illegal, unprovoked, all-out invasion of Ukraine. We showed where we stand – with Ukraine.
The vote was clear. One hundred and forty-one countries voted to uphold and uphold the UN Charter. Only seven countries voted against.
141 countries voted for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
One hundred and forty-one countries affirmed that such peace must be rooted in the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inherent right to self-defense.
One hundred and forty-one countries — 141 countries — have recommitted to addressing the energy, financial, environmental, food insecurity and nuclear security threats that Russia’s war has unleashed on the world.
And as stated in Ukraine’s resolution, these 141 countries repeated a clear demand to Russia: withdraw and – I’m sorry: withdraw immediately, completely and unconditionally from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, send Home your troops and end this war.
When I was in Ukraine, I saw so much engraved on the faces of the Ukrainian people. I saw determination on President Zelenskyy’s face. I saw pain and sadness on the faces of the victims and civilians. And I saw hope in the faces of the Ukrainian children.
Today we refuse to give up hope. We refuse to give up the potential for diplomacy, the power of dialogue and the urgency of peace. And tomorrow we will continue to push for just that – a lasting peace.
Minister Blinken will return to the Security Council to outline the Council’s unique responsibility to uphold the UN Charter as Russia’s appalling war enters its second year, and he will reaffirm America’s commitment to assisting Ukraine and upholding the most fundamental principles of the UN to defend the charter. As President Biden said while in Kyiv this week, “We stand together. We stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Thanks very much.
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