Remarks at a meeting of the UN Security Council convened by Russia on threats to international peace and security
John Kelley
Political Minister Advisor
New York, New York
April 12, 2024
AS DELIVERED
Thank you very much, Madam President. And thank you, Chief Fung, for your briefing.
Madam President. The Russian representative once again claimed that Western aid to Ukraine in self-defense is prolonging the war started by Russia.
We all heard the Russian representative in this Council yesterday say that the only peace discussion there would be was the “unconditional surrender” of Ukraine.
We listen carefully to Russia’s words. But let’s also look at his actions:
Russia is committing aggression against a sovereign UN member state.
Russia continues to ruthlessly attack Ukraine in pursuit of territorial conquest.
Russia has acquired ballistic missile launchers and dozens of ballistic missiles from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in violation of Security Council resolutions.
Since last December, Russian forces have used DPRK-supplied ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine nearly a dozen times, firing more than 40 DPRK ballistic missiles.
Since last September, Russia has acquired over 11,000 shipping containers of ammunition and ammunition-related materials from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, violating the UN arms embargo against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
By vetoing the DPRK’s Panel of Experts, Russia is attempting to conceal the full scope of its procurement of weapons and ballistic missiles from the DPRK for use against Ukraine, thereby undermining that Council’s efforts, its primary responsibility for maintaining international Relationships to maintain peace and security.
Madam President. Russia also continues to deepen its military ties with Iran, including through the continued acquisition of armed Iranian UAVs used to attack Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.
We remain concerned about reports that Russia is seeking to acquire ballistic missiles from Iran. Such a takeover would represent a significant escalation of Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression.
We are also closely examining reports that Russian forces are using counterinsurgency assets and chemical weapons to push Ukrainian troops into the line of fire.
Madam President. The international community has overwhelmingly condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine. As I said, Russia can end this war today.
The United States remains committed to providing Ukraine with what it needs for defense.
We reiterate our call on Russia to immediately withdraw its armed forces from Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognized borders and to stop its unlawful procurement of materials from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
And with that I thank you, Madam President.
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