Today at 19:59
By destroying the Grain Initiative, Russia is blackmailing the whole world. This blackmail affects the lives of millions of Ukrainians and tens of millions more around the world, primarily in Africa and Asia, who face the threat of rising food prices and hunger.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
“Russia has killed the Grain Deal. The immediate outcome will be that prices will go up again. Hurting those most vulnerable, primarily in Asia and Africa. russia must stop playing hunger games,” he said.
Dmytro Kuleba reminded that for a long time, Russia had been systematically obstructing the normal functioning of the Grain Initiative by deliberately reducing the number of inspections in the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul and limiting the capacity to 1-2 vessels per day. Now it has completely suspended the initiative.
“I call on all UN Member States to firmly demand that Russia resume its participation in the deal and stop its hunger games. russia must keep politics out of global food security,” he stressed.
The Minister also drew the UN Security Council’s attention to the threat of Russia’s occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He recalled that since March 2022, Russia had violated all seven IAEA nuclear safety pillars by stationing its military at the plant and turning it into a military base.
“I will say it again, officially and unequivocally: Ukraine has never had and cannot have any intention of causing any incidents at our own nuclear power plants in our own country. The only force that has the capacity and the motives to cause any such incident is Russia. By acting together and calling out liars now, we can prevent them from executing their malicious plans,” the Foreign Minister said.
On the anniversary of the downing of MH17 by Russia, the Minister recalled that this crime was a prime example of Russia’s lies and abuse of its illegal presence in the UN Security Council.
“Instead of admitting guilt and cooperating with the investigation, Russia chose to promote conspiracy theories in order to confuse the public. In 2015, Russia shamelessly used its UN veto to prevent the establishment of a relevant international tribunal,” he reminded.
Dmytro Kuleba noted that in more than 500 days of full-scale invasion and nine years of Russian aggression, the Security Council had been unable to take concrete actions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. And this applies not only to the Russian-Ukrainian war, but also to other conflicts in the world.
“The future reform of the UN Security Council needs to include an essential component, the decision to deprive Russia of its illegally obtained status as a permanent member and the veto right that comes with it. This Council and the entire world will become much healthier place once Russia is out of here,” he said.
He stressed that as long as the UN Security Council failed to fulfil its functions, the Ukrainian soldier would take responsibility.
“While some international organizations are paralyzed by fear or poisonous Russian influence, it is a Ukrainian soldier who assumes responsibility today. A Ukrainian soldier restores peace and security with each step forward and each liberated settlement in Ukraine. Basically, putting into action what this Council is supposed to maintain and enforce. This comes at a steep cost. But there is no other choice. Please honour this sacrifice and keep assisting us in bringing peace closer,” concluded Dmytro Kuleba.
