Colleagues, there is much irony to Russia calling yet another
meeting on weapons proliferation in a month where we have seen
the appalling destruction of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
As we speak, Russian forces continue in their devastating attacks
around Kharkiv. As UN experts visiting Ukraine in April
discovered, this includes the use of ballistic missiles from
North Korea.
Russia's procurement of weapons from Pyongyang is in violation of
numerous Council resolutions, and is in addition to its use of
thousands of Iranian drones since 2022.
We urge North Korea and Iran to cease all support to Russia. We
note that any transfer of ballistic missiles or related
technology from Iran to Russia would be a significant escalation.
President, Russian forces have also admitted to using riot
control agents on the battlefield and the UK agrees with the US
determination that Russia has used chloropicrin against Ukrainian
forces. Both are a clear breach of the Chemical Weapons
Convention.
This is a war that Russia cannot win, and which is costing young
Russians their future.
The military takes up 40% of Russia's government spending. Every
Kinzhal missile costs $7 million, as much as 130 Russian
teachers' salaries. And at the current rate, by next year, Russia
will have been responsible for well over half a million personnel
killed and wounded over three years of its needless war.
Yet Russia shows no signs of wanting peace. The Russian Permanent
Representative said himself in this chamber that soon the “the
only topic for any international meetings on Ukraine will be the
unconditional surrender of the Kiev regime”.
Ukraine wants peace but it is defending itself from a
neo-imperial war of aggression. It has the right to project force
beyond its borders to do so.
Along with Ukraine, we support Switzerland's upcoming Summit on
Peace. It will be an opportunity to demonstrate global unity on
principles for a just peace based on the UN Charter.
Our support for Ukraine will endure as it continues to fight
Russian aggression, as it secures the just and sustainable peace
it deserves, as it rebuilds and recovers, and as its sovereign
right to chart its own course is guaranteed.
