With international support, Ukraine can restore its territorial integrity and respect for the UN Charter, which will discourage Russia and other aggressors from attacking other countries. At the same time, the world will plunge into chaos if the altering of borders by forces is allowed.
That’s according to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, presenting the draft of the resolution entitled “Principles underlying a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine,” an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
The principle of territorial integrity must not be violated, Kuleba stressed, noting that “the world will drown in chaos if we allow changing borders by force under the disguise of political expediency or sympathy towards aggressors.”
“With the support of the world, Ukraine can restore its territorial integrity and respect for the UN Charter. And it will. This will discourage Russia and other aggressors from wanting to attack other nations,” Kuleba said.
The top diplomat recalled that exactly a year ago, just hours before Russia went for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he was calling on nations to unite to prevent the war.
“A year after, against all odds, Ukraine is effectively defending itself against a much stronger enemy and I appeal to you: this is a decisive moment to show support, unity, and solidarity. This is the moment to prove that you stand for the UN Charter,” the minister said.
Addressing the UNGA, the head of MFA Ukraine noted that some of those present in the session hall are still willing to be friends with both Ukraine and Russia just to make sure the war ends as soon as possible, with any outcome.
“The problem is that in this war, there are no equal two sides. There is an aggressor and a victim. I understand that there are still some countries that do not want to take Ukraine’s side for various reasons. But it is not about that. It is about taking the side of the UN Charter, İt is about taking the side of international law. It is about taking the side of UN General Assembly resolutions. These are our common rules. And we are all interested in upholding them. With the exception of the Russian Federation, which thinks that rules do not apply to it and exist only to be violated,” said Kuleba.
The minister has urged foreign diplomats to pursue efforts to achieve peace “not because the forces of good stopped fighting, but because evil was defeated.”