Ukraine: "The war waged by Russia is everyone’s business" [fr]

Mr. President,
Ministers, dear colleagues,
Ambassadors,

It has been a year since Russia unleashed its war of aggression against Ukraine without any justification and in a totally illegal manner.

And for a year it has been waging a brutal war there, violating the most fundamental principles of our common Charter - as well as its own commitments.

A year of war marked by serial abuses and crimes so serious and systematic that the International Criminal Court has launched investigations for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

None of us can turn a blind eye to executions, torture, use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, abductions and deportations of children.

However, Ukraine has been resisting admirably for a year. It is doing so for its independence, for its freedom and for its right to build the future it has chosen.

As I stand here before this Assembly, I want to express France’s absolute determination to support Ukraine not only so that it can resist and exercise its right to self-defense, a right recognized by our common Charter, but also so that it can ensure respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are also principles that we share; and so that it can thwart Russia’s aggression, which is seriously undermining international peace and stability, and therefore the peace and security of each of us.

This concerns each and every one of our States, because there will be no peace and security anywhere if aggression is rewarded.

This war waged by Russia is therefore everyone’s business. Because it threatens the existence of a State, because it constitutes a dominating and imperialist project, and because it denies borders, it is everyone’s business.

As the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, said at this podium last September, neutrality is impossible, because neutrality would be tantamount to becoming an accomplice of the aggressor.

Letting Russia make the rules would be a fatal blow to the international order based on the rule of law to which we have all subscribed for 75 years. It would undermine the very foundations of our collective security.

It is the duty of all of us to prevent the Russian war of aggression from being the first step towards a period of serious instability and systemic violence, which would not spare any region of the world.

And none of us would have any reason to feel safe in a world where a great power, a nuclear-armed permanent member of the Security Council, could decide to attack its neighbors on a whim.

Russia is trying to convince some of you that its attempts to disrupt the world order and impose an order based on force will work in their favor.

This is an illusion. The facts are clear: Russia and Russia alone wanted the war and its war is putting global food security at risk, especially in the most vulnerable countries, just as it is having a negative impact on most of the world. No more war, no more blockades, no more tension on food or energy.

Mr. President,

For the past year, this Assembly has remained active in the face of this unacceptable situation. Five times since 24 February 2022, it has expressed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to the fundamental principles of the Charter.

Today’s vote must allow us to recall these rules and principles without which peace and security would be nothing but empty words. The draft resolution presented to you reminds us that it is only on the respect of these principles that a just and lasting peace can be built.

Conversely, Russia shows no desire for peace. It knows no dialogue except that which subjugates others, in Ukraine and elsewhere. It knows no peace except the silence of the dead and the ruins. It accuses others only to better deceive and absolve itself of its crimes.

No one here wanted war with Russia, and certainly not Ukraine. No one has threatened Russia’s security or undermined its integrity. No one has used the same nuclear rhetoric. No-one but Russia wanted the tragedy that is unrolling before our eyes.

It can and must stop, starting tomorrow. The International Court of Justice demanded it as early as 16 March last.

The draft resolution proposed by Ukraine is the result of a transparent and universal negotiation process, reflecting a desire to gather a broad consensus around our common rules and principles, those of our Charter. It calls for a just and lasting peace, fully in line with these principles, as is in the interest of us all.

Faithful to its tradition and its values, France will give this text its full support; it calls on all States to do the same, with responsibility.

Thank you.