The growing involvement of the United States and NATO in Ukraine risks leading to a direct military confrontation with “catastrophic consequences”, Russia warned Thursday in Geneva in a speech boycotted by many Western diplomats.
Speaking before the Conference on Disarmament, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov denounced countries that are pushing “for escalation”.
European, American and British diplomats boycotted his speech, preferring to gather outside the room around the Ukrainian ambassador, Yevheniia Filipenko. A gesture of solidarity, as they have done many since the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow last year.
“The most serious strategic threat today comes from the policy of the United States and NATO aimed at further inflaming the conflict in Ukraine and the surrounding area,” accused the Russian diplomat.
“Their growing involvement in an armed confrontation risks leading to a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers with catastrophic consequences,” he assured, in a relatively empty room.
Diplomats from allied countries of Ukraine, standing in front of a mural in the colors of Ukraine, held up signs that read “StandWithUkraine” (Alongside Ukraine).
Ms. Filipenko hailed this “extraordinary demonstration of solidarity with the Ukrainian people”, indicating that her country also saw in it “a sign of Russia’s isolation”.
“This way of uniting around her is a way of saying that our countries are united to refuse this war of aggression, to refuse this invasion and to defend Ukraine’s right to its sovereignty, its integrity territory, its freedom,” French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont told AFP. His British counterpart Simon Manley assured that he would continue to show his support for Ukraine “until Russia withdraws its tanks” from the country.
“Brutal War”
Last year at the same time, Western ambassadors also boycotted the speech – by videoconference – of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Conference on Disarmament (CD).
Formed in 1979, the CD is not part of the UN organizations but meets at the UN headquarters in Geneva three times a year.
Opening the session on Monday, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control Bonnie Jenkins decried Russia’s suspension of its participation in the New Start nuclear disarmament treaty.
Mr. Ryabkov told him on Thursday that Russia had been “forced” to suspend its participation in the treaty, faced with the “total hybrid war” launched against his country by “the United States, as well as other Western countries, including including nuclear-weapon States such as France and the United Kingdom”.
The senior Russian official must also participate in the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) at the end of the day.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the CDH in the morning, by videoconference, denouncing the “brutal war” that Russia is waging in Ukraine.
He called on countries to vote, at the end of the session in early April, in favor of continuing the work of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Ukraine, which is soon to present its first written report. after having already reported war crimes in September.
“As long as Russia continues its war, the IOC must continue to document these abuses, providing an unbiased account of what is happening” that should serve “as a basis for national and international efforts to hold the perpetrators to account.” attackers,” he said.