UN Security Council briefing on the Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine

Harold_Agyeman

 

Mr. President,
1. I would like to begin my statement by thanking USG Rosemary DiCarlo for her comprehensive briefing. We join other speakers in expressing our deep concerns about the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, in violation of the fundamental principles of international law, especially relating to sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and the recognition of states. The invasion against Ukraine undermines, in our view, the purposes and principles of our Charter and stands in contrast to the norms which have guided recent inter-State relations and given endurance to the international system.
 
As confirmed by several Heads of State and Government during the just ended general debate of the General Assembly, the impact of the war has had palpable effects on the lives of millions of people across the world. It is
their desire that this war and many such others be ended as soon as possible for peace to prevail. We therefore caution against heightening rhetoric and giving expression to contemplations that threaten the use of nuclear weapons, as that can only lead into the dark abyss of a nuclear catastrophe, with no winners. We urge
maximum restraint by all sides in what has so far been an effort at conventional warfare.
 
Mr. President,
Ghana is particularly concerned about the ongoing referendum in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhya. We regret the attempts that are being made to disintegrate the legitimate authority of the government of Ukraine over its State territory. The process of the referendum, as we have heard, can least be described as free, fair, democratic or reflective of the will of the people of Ukraine. We reiterate our principled position against the acquisition of territory through the threat or use of force. We cannot continue to live in parallel universes and accordingly urge the international community to use the full weight of its will to serve as a bulwark against such practices, which have a propensity to unravel the tenuous global stability that we presently have.
 
We note with concern the unfortunate rise in humanitarian casualties as fighting continues in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine. Unless an immediate ceasefire is reached the escalation of military combat would result in further dire consequences for all. We therefore call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We also call on the parties to refrain from targeting civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights laws. We urge the Russian Federation, which has often attempted to situate its special operations’ within the ambit of international law, to respect the sovereignty of Ukraine and withdraw its troops from the internationally recognized borders of its neighbour.
 
Mr. President,
To safeguard international peace and security we must urgently deepen diplomacy and widen international efforts to diffuse the rising global tensions to facilitate a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The situation in Ukraine reinforces the imperative for a reformed and responsive Council that is able to address all threats to international peace and security, including by all actors. Pending the much-needed reforms, we must continue to work together in finding pragmatic ways to address the challenges that confront our collective security.
 
I Thank You.