President's wife,
We appreciate the explanation from the secretariat.
Just 24 hours ago, we met to discuss the faith of Ukrainian civilians. The overwhelming damage caused by Russian attacks on civilians, residential areas, and energy infrastructure is still fresh in everyone's memory.
Therefore, no one will be fooled by Russia's new attempts to reverse responsibility in this war. But now that Russia wants to discuss arms supply issues again – for the 14th time – we are forced to remember the facts again.
Russia chose to start this war in violation of the United Nations Charter by taking the initiative to launch a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign state that posed no threat.
Russia chose to prolong this war for more than two years. It is up to Russia to end the conflict without endangering its own security. All Russia will need to do is stop its aggression and withdraw its troops from Ukraine, as ordered by the International Court of Justice on March 16, 2022, and as required by the United Nations General Assembly in several resolutions.
Since we are talking about arms transfers, let us also remember that Russia has chosen to procure arms and ammunition from North Korea. To hide all of the above, China has chosen to veto the renewal of the mandate of the Committee of Experts in charge of the sanctions regime. Russia has thus chosen to undermine the international non-proliferation regime in order to continue its illegal war of aggression and to use its status as a permanent member to reward states that violate Security Council resolutions. .
Russia is also equipped with thousands of drones from Iran, which have been used in attacks on Ukrainian civilians since the start of the war, in violation of Resolution 2231. We are concerned about the alleged transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia. Such a transfer constitutes an unacceptable escalation and will not be ignored.
We cannot continue to allow Russia to continue with total impunity in its attacks on the very foundations of the law-based international order, which is our common interest. Allowing Russia to achieve its goals would send a devastating signal to all countries that are tempted to redraw their borders by force.
For this reason, France, together with its partner countries, has decided to provide political and military support to Ukraine. We will support the Ukrainian people and government for as long as necessary.
We will do so in order for Ukraine to exercise its right of self-defense, as provided for in Article 51 of the Charter. We will do so to help Ukraine maintain its security, independence and territorial integrity. We do this to give Ukraine the means to enter into negotiations if it decides to achieve a just and lasting peace, in accordance with the Charter and the principles of international law.
Thank you for your attention.
