OMM Redaksiyası
The foreign ministers of France, the United Kingdom and Denmark urged Russia to end its war in Ukraine during a high-level UN Security Council session on Wednesday, warning that Moscow’s actions were increasing security risks across Europe.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who is chairing the council this month, said Russia was using winter, cold weather and the deprivation of basic necessities as weapons against Ukraine’s civilian population, according to the meeting’s statements.
Barrot accused Moscow of targeting Europe through alleged killings, sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation. He said repeated airspace violations involving Romania, Poland, Moldova, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Finland had left every state concerned about Russian aggression, also referring to a recent incident in Leipzig, Germany.
Ministers warn of wider risks to Europe
The French minister said Russia’s conduct was undermining the authority of the United Nations, particularly because it was being carried out by a permanent member of the Security Council. He added that Ukraine was ready for peace but had encountered what he described as Moscow’s stubborn refusal.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said elections held by Russia in occupied Ukrainian territory were “a blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty”. He warned that the international community could not accept borders being changed by force.
Miliband said NATO “is and always will be a defensive alliance” and pledged that Britain would continue to expose and respond to Russia’s hostile activities. He also said the Russian people could see that their country was failing in the war.
Denmark pledges continued support for Ukraine
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said: “If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will be the very end of Ukraine.”
Rasmussen condemned attacks that violate international humanitarian law and warned of a dangerous escalation as civilian infrastructure and energy facilities come under attack before winter.
He said Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure threatened trade, livelihoods and global food supplies. Rasmussen also cited Germany’s attribution of a failed hybrid attack at Leipzig-Halle airport to Russia as one of several reckless and dangerous actions affecting Europe.
Denmark, he said, would continue providing financial and security assistance to Ukraine, including support for reconstruction and humanitarian aid, while increasing pressure on Moscow through tough European Union sanctions.
All three ministers connected Russia’s war in Ukraine with broader security threats across Europe and called for continued diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow to bring it to the negotiating table.
