The UN Security Council held a meeting on the theme “Threat to international peace and security, risks arising from the violation of agreements governing the export of arms and military equipment”. The meeting was convened at the initiative of the Russian Federation, which this month chairs the UN Security Council.
Speaking at the Security Council, the representative of the United States said that “today’s meeting is a poorly concealed attempt to present Russia as a responsible player in the issue of arms export controls” and to divert attention from the fact that Moscow continues its military aggression by invading the territory of a neighboring state.
The Permanent Representative of Russia, Vasily Nebenzya, accused the West of the uncontrolled distribution of military products (military products) around the world – from the Balkans and North Africa to Ukraine. According to him, as a result, a significant amount of weapons ended up on the black market. He also accused the United States of not respecting international arms export agreements.
“Western countries have consistently promoted the concept of ‘responsible behavior’ and increased arms control,” Nebenzya said, “However, the crisis they caused in Ukraine has become a real indicator of the insincerity of their statements in support of international efforts to combat the uncontrolled proliferation of military products.Russia has repeatedly convened meetings of the UN Security Council on the dangerous consequences of sending weapons to the Kiev regime.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood strongly rejected Moscow’s accusations of US violations of international agreements and stressed that Washington follows strict rules in this regard.
“For more than 20 years, the United States has helped other governments develop and enact the laws and policies necessary to control the import and export of conventional weapons,” Wood said. “We do this because we know that transparent rules and regulations allow countries to work together to prevent the illicit proliferation of weapons.”
Robert Wood said the greatest risk of illicit arms proliferation comes from the seizure of weapons on the battlefield by Russia and pro-Russian forces.
“Russia offered to supply battle-captured weapons to separatists in eastern Ukraine,” Wood recalled. “Such statements are dangerous and irresponsible. Russia also turns to illegitimate regimes to illegally obtain weapons and military equipment to support its military operations. In November 2022, the DPRK supplied Russia with missiles for use by the pro-Kremlin PMC Wagner. And we know that Russia is actively seeking additional weapons from the DPRK. This directly violates UN Security Council resolutions. Such actions, especially from a permanent member of the UN Security Council, are alarming and only fuel the fire of Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine.
Robert Wood also recalled that Russia receives drones from Iran – this was confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Minister in his public statements of November 5, 2022. Combat drones are used to kill the civilian population of the Ukraine. Wood recalled that the purchase of weapons produced in Iran is contrary to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which prohibits all countries from such transactions without the prior approval of the Security Council.
The US representative noted that the conflict in Ukraine continues not because of the violation of arms export agreements, but because Russia illegally invaded the territory of this country. Ukraine, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, has the right to defend itself. And the international community has the right to provide assistance and support to Ukraine, said Robert Wood.
Another permanent member of the Security Council, the United Kingdom, has accused Russia of not respecting the basic obligations of a UN member and of undermining the fundamental principles of the Security Council.
“By purchasing weapons for its military operations, Russia is violating the very UN sanctions it helped approve against states like Iran and North Korea,” said Alice Jacobs, deputy political coordinator at the British permanent mission to the UN. affecting the prices of food and other commodities and potentially exacerbating other conflicts. The UK calls on all states to stop providing support to the Russian military and related forces. Arming an aggressor state undermines global stability.
Read the latest news about the Ukraine conflict on The Eastern Herald .
