Mr. President,
The situation is unbearable. It is unbearable because Russia, who called upon us to meet this morning to discuss obstacles to the peace process in Ukraine, launched last night a large-scale air strike against Ukrainian cities, in particular against Kyiv. It launched more than 300 drones and missiles.
France condemns in the strongest terms these massive strikes, which have once again targeted civilian infrastructure and caused numerous casualties among the population.
1/ The facts are clear and damning for Russia. The primary obstacle to peace is its relentless strikes on Ukrainian cities, with ever-increasing intensity. Last night’s attacks yet again demonstrate a deliberate strategy of military escalation. They aim to sow fear among the Ukrainian population.
On the 16th of July, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) published its seventh report on reported violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine. The report documents the intensification of indiscriminate shelling of densely populated areas by Russian armed forces and the consequent increase in the number of civilian casualties.
2/ What is hindering peace is that today, as since the beginning of its invasion, Russia remains entrenched in a logic of confrontation and refuses to make any serious commitment to peace.
• Russia rejects a ceasefire—the first step necessary to create the conditions for a peace dialogue—even though Ukraine has repeatedly stated for the past five months that it is ready for it.
• Russia is not taking direct discussions with Ukraine seriously, talks which, let us recall, it itself initiated last May. From the very first session in Istanbul on May 16, it sent a junior delegation with no negotiating capacity. On two occasions already, the Russian president has rejected the Ukrainian president’s proposal to engage in direct dialogue. In May, Vladimir Putin did not go to Turkey despite the fact that President Zelensky was expecting him. In July, when the Ukrainian president reiterated his proposal for direct contact, the Russian president ordered mass strikes on Ukraine the next day by way of response.
• Russia ignores all calls for peace. Last night’s strikes come after President Trump set an ultimatum for Russia on the 14th of July, demanding that it engages in good faith in negotiations.
3/ What is hindering peace is that Russia does not hesitate to jeopardize international stability and security. It is rapidly increasing its production of drones in the factory it built with Iran’s assistance. It is illegally acquiring ammunition, ballistic missiles and troops from North Korea. More than 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed along Russia’s ranks of the Ukrainian frontline. Russia is violating Security Council resolutions that it itself supported and is undermining the foundations of the international non-proliferation architecture.
Mr. President,
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was clear in its report published on the 29th of May: drone attacks against Ukrainian civilians are crimes against humanity. Supporting Russia is to become complicit in its crimes. France urges all States to refrain from supplying Russia with military equipment, dual-use goods, and all components that fuel this war of aggression.
France continues to call on the Council to demand an immediate, comprehensive, and unconditional ceasefire. This is the first step to be taken by anyone who genuinely wants to commit to the path of peace.
In the immediate term, France will continue to provide Ukraine with the military support that is crucial to the defense of its population, its independence, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Thank you.