Russia interrupted a moment of silence “in memory of the victims” of the war in Ukraine at the outset of a United Nations Security Council meeting on the anniversary of the invasion.
“On this tragic day, when we mourn lives and destinies broken by Russia, I kindly ask everyone to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the aggression,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Friday.
Most assembled diplomats stood up, a scene that presented Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia with a choice between rising with them or remaining seated — thereby allowing global audiences to see Russia surrounded by a censorious throng. His Chinese counterpart also remained seated, waiting as the Russian side called for the attention of Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg, who presided over the meeting.
“We are getting up on our feet to honor the memory of all victims of what has happened in Ukraine, starting in 2014,” Nebenzia said. “All of those who perished all lives are priceless. And that is why we're writing to honor the memory of them all.”
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And the minute of silence began again. Nebenzia’s maneuver marked the second time he demanded attention from Borg in a matter of minutes. The Russian envoy set the opening tone by objecting to Kuleba’s speaking slot at the meeting. His objection over-ridden, the formal proceedings began with a rebuke from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, one followed immediately by a broadside from Kuleba.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law,” said Guterres. “It has unleashed widespread this destruction and displacement. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure have caused many casualties and terrible suffering.”
Kuleba’s condemnation followed moments later. “Here's what Russian officials and servicemen have to know: You think you will get away with what you did? No You will end up on trial. You will be testifying how strongly you were opposed to the aggression and how you just followed orders,” the Ukrainian diplomatic chief said. “The Nuremberg international military tribunals verdict was crystal clear: War of aggression is not only a war crime, it is the supreme international crime, distinguishing itself from other crimes only in that it contains the accumulated evil of the whole.
Nebenzia had tried short-circuit the scene at the outset of the meeting by challenging Borg’s decision to let Kuleba speak immediately after Guterres.
“What is the basis [on which] you are proposing to give the floor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and to give him the floor before members of the council speak?” Nebenzia said. “You will create any egregious precedent, where the representatives of Ukraine in the council are given the kind of privilege that is denied to the representative of others.”
Borg dismissed the objection with a reminder that Serbia, whose government maintains close ties with the Kremlin, was accorded the same privilege “at least twice” on recent occasions.
“This debate is being held on the one year anniversary since the beginning of the war in Ukraine,” he said. “And the presidency sees value in allowing Ukraine's foreign minister [to] take the floor before all the other members of the Council on this occasion as per rule 33 of note 507."
Nebenzia used the petty procedural dispute to amplify Russia’s argument that countries in Latin America and Africa should regard U.S. and European condemnation of the war as a selfish attempt to maintain Western power, rather than a defense of
“What we're witnessing today is yet another attempt to give certain rights to a group of the countries, whereas you — as a representative of the Golden Billion — give preference to Ukraine, just because...she is a part of your geopolitical project,” Nebenzia said. “It would seem that the problems of the rest of the world are of no concern to you.”
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Kuleba contradicted that allegation with his own appeal. “The geography of Russian crimes against international peace and security goes far beyond the borders of Ukraine and reaches Africa, Asia and the Middle East,” he said. “Russia not only incites conflicts but also systemically obstructs UN Security Council decisions needed to resolve them . . . Let us all remember the truth: Russia is the problem of the world.”