Madame President,
Excellencies,
Russia‘s war in Ukraine shows no sign of letting up.
The past seven months have seen unspeakable suffering and devastation.
The latest developments are dangerous and disturbing.
They are further steps away from any prospect of peace – and towards an endless cycle of horror and bloodshed.
As I have said from the start, this senseless war has unlimited potential to do terrible harm – in Ukraine, and around the world.
The idea of nuclear conflict, once unthinkable, has become a subject of debate.
This in itself is totally unacceptable. All nuclear-armed states should recommit to the non-use and progressive elimination of nuclear weapons.
I am also deeply concerned by reports of plans to organize so-called “referenda” in areas of Ukraine that are currently not under government control.
Any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the UN Charter and of international law.