A wide view of the Security Council Chamber as Volodymyr Zelenskyy (on screen), President of Ukraine, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine Apr. 5, 2022. (Credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the UN Security Council to take action against Russia for committing gross human rights violations including killing civilians or “dissolve” itself. President Zelenskyy addressed the U.N. Security Council Tuesday via video link for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. President Zelenskyy scolded the world body for failing to act against Russia in the name of peace for which it stands. He described in graphic detail the “deliberate slaughter” of civilians in Bucha by Russian forces including those “shot in the head after being tortured, those whose limbs were cut off and tongues pulled out because the aggressors “did not hear what they wanted to hear”. President Zelenskyy strongly urged the Security Council to remove Russia, which is a permanent member of the council, or simply “dissolve yourselves altogether” rather than continue endless conversation on the Ukrainian situation.
“We are dealing with a State that is turning the veto of the United Nations Security Council into the right to die. If it continues, countries will rely not on international law or global institutions to ensure security, but rather, on the power of their own arms. Are you ready to close the United Nations? Do you think that the time for international law is gone? The power of peace must become dominant. Ukraine needs peace. The world needs peace.”
-Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Apr. 5, 2022
1,480 Civilians Killed in Ukraine Since Start of Russia Invasion: UN
At least 1,480 civilians have been killed and at least 2,195 have been injured in Ukraine between the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, according to the UN.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (on screen), President of Ukraine, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine Apr. 5, 2022. Seated at the table is Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations. (UN Photo/Manuel Elías)
President Zelenskyy accused Russia of wanting to “turn Ukrainians into silent slaves” and openly stealing everything, “starting with food and ending with gold earrings that are pulled out and covered with blood”
UN Secretary-General “Regrets” Security Council Inaction on Ukraine
I regret the divisions that have prevented the Security Council from acting on Ukraine & other threats to peace.
Today I urged its member countries to do everything in their power to end the war and mitigate its impact on the people of Ukraine & beyond. pic.twitter.com/HQp9ktkdIe
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 5, 2022
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep regret over divisions that have prevented the Council from acting not only on Ukraine – but on other threats to peace around the world. He urged the Security Council to do “everything in its power” to end the war.
