Statement by President Charles Michel at the UN Security Council debate on Ukraine

Ukraine is a crime scene. The perpetrator is sitting in this very room. You know who you are.

The Kremlin dreams of restoring the old Russian empire. After Ukraine, who will be next? Who will be next to satisfy Putin’s fantasy of the past? And if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, what other countries would be tempted to copy its actions?

At this crime scene, we also have the victim, the attacked. Ukraine and all Ukrainians, fighting a battle they did not start, defending their country against a war they did not want and protecting their children against suffering nobody deserves. Trying to save them from another horror of this war – their forced abduction to Russia.  So-called ‘adoptions’. In reality, these are deportations of children.

I ask you all, including the Russian representatives: could you bear having your child stolen and deported? Your child forced to forget your family, your language, your land? So-called ‘re-education’.  In fact, this is an attempt at cultural genocide.

By defending their children, Ukrainians are defending what is most precious: their families, their future, their freedom. This is why we, the European Union, stand firmly with Ukraine to defend itself. As long as the innocent are attacked, we will help them to defend themselves. And we will stay by their side, for as long as it takes.

At this crime scene, we also have the witnesses, all of us around the world. And all of us, sitting right here, the witnesses in this Security Council. What have we done about this crime? What have we done about this aggression? What have we done as one of the permanent members attacks its neighbour? What have we done, as it wields its veto power against each of us, and against the core principles of the UN Charter?

Do we not sit together in this chamber for one reason, and one reason only? To protect peace and security for all people, no matter their country or continent.

Powerful and responsible nations simply cannot turn a blind eye to these crimes, because we all share a responsibility. A responsibility to end war and a responsibility to work for peace. A just peace that respects the UN Charter and its core principles, the territorial integrity of each sovereign nation. A just peace that will never last if crimes go unpunished.

This is why I would like to speak directly to each of you around this table. As responsible nations, we all have a role to play in building global peace and stability. I would particularly like to speak to the esteemed Chinese representative. You have warned Russia against the use of nuclear weapons, and we welcome this. Now we are asking you to go further. Let’s join forces to persuade Russia to end this criminal war that is hurting so many. Let’s join forces to convince Russia to respect the principles of the UN Charter.

The consequences of this crime extend across the globe and the Kremlin’s latest cynical actions are only making things worse. By pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, for instance. When you shoot missiles at grain silos in Odessa, they also strike Africa and kill the most vulnerable, destroying the lives of millions.

A tragic crime is unfolding before our very eyes. And we are witnesses, all of us. We must stand strong by the side of the attacked, especially right here in the Security Council. That is why this chamber was born and that is why we are here today: to say ‘no’ to aggression. To protect peace, security, and cooperation, between people and between all our nations.

Thank you.