Last night Norwegian time, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk, and to send Russian forces into the breakaway regions.
Norway was one of the countries that had asked to have the meeting on the agenda.
– Here, all countries’ right to decide over their own destiny and safeguard their own sovereignty is threatened and violated by Russia in relation to Ukraine. It is a serious violation of the UN Charter and international law and justice, says Norway’s UN Ambassador Mona Juul to TV 2 after the meeting.
“Emotional” speech
Russia holds the presidency of the Security Council in February, and was therefore the last of the 15 member states to speak during the meeting. The Russian ambassador clearly disagreed with the condemnation of countries such as Norway, Britain and the United States, and accused them of giving “emotional” speeches. It refutes Juul.
– I did not want to call it emotional, I would say it was very serious speeches that were given. Our Ukrainian colleague and others become emotional in the situation they are in. You can well understand that. But it was not the emotion, but rather the severity that was emphasized by almost all countries in the Security Council tonight, Juul says to TV 2.
In the speeches held last night, it was clear that Russia and several of the other members of the Security Council were far apart. Representatives from the United States and Britain said they would impose separate sanctions on Russia, while the Russian ambassador reiterated Putin’s accusations that Ukraine posed a threat to the people of Donetsk and Luhansk.
– They are quite alone, as we heard, about that understanding of reality. There was almost agreement among the members that it is Russia that has violated international law and the UN pact to take the step they have now taken, says Juul.
Russia’s veto
Russia is one of five permanent members of the Security Council along with the United States, the United Kingdom, France and China. These countries have a veto and can block any resolution taken up in the Council.
Thus, the Security Council will not condemn Russia’s actions or impose UN sanctions.
Nevertheless, Juul believes that the meeting was important to show Russia that Norway and other countries strongly dissociate themselves from their actions.
– I am quite confident that it is very important for Russia that they receive this message from the Security Council. There is no resolution here that can be vetoed. This was a meeting where everyone expressed their views. And I think they notice that in Moscow, says Juul.
– What happens next now?
– It is difficult to predict. This was at least an important celebration of what happened today, and a clear warning from the international community that further escalation is totally unacceptable, says Juul.
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