Russia, Ukraine face off at UN session with dueling tributes to war’s dead
UNITED NATIONS — Russia and Ukraine faced off at the U.N. Security Council on Friday on the first anniversary of their war, with their confrontation even extending to dueling moments of silence for the dead.
The showdown began before the session formally began, with Russia’s ambassador demanding to know why Ukraine sat at the top of the speakers list. Most dramatically, in the middle of the meeting, the two countries even tussled over tributes to the victims of the war.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that “when we mourn lives, and destinies broken by Russia, I kindly ask everyone to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the aggression.”
He rose to his feet. Everyone in the council chamber stood in silence.
As soon as Kuleba sat down, Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia asked for the floor, saying: “We are getting to our feet to honor the memory of all victims of what has happened in Ukraine starting in 2014 — all of those who perished.”
Nebenzia’s use of 2014 and double emphasis on the word “all” referred to Russia’s claims that the conflict began that year after Ukraine’s Moscow-friendly president was driven from office by mass protests.
Nebenzia and Russian diplomats then rose to their feet, and slowly, apparently after some thought, other members in the council chamber rose until everyone in the chamber was standing silently for about a minute.
Nebenzia accused Malta, which holds the council’s rotating presidency, of giving Ukraine preference in speaking first because it is “part of your geopolitical project.”
Kuleba told the council, “Ukraine will resist as it has done so far, and Ukraine will win.”
Kuleba then delivered several messages to Russian officials and servicemen: You may think you will get away with what you did but “you will end up on trial.”
Kuleba urged countries everywhere to implement President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan and the General Assembly resolution adopted Thursday with support from 141 countries, demanding that his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity be upheld as required by the U.N. Charter. The resolution also calls for a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine.