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U.N. Security Council Meets on Russian Troop Buildup; Russian Ambassador Accuses West of Causing Hysterics, Says Talk of war is Provocative; Report: Some of the Behavior Surrounding these Gatherings is difficult to justify; UK PM Briefs Parliament after "Partygate" Inquiry Update; Ukrainian Ambassador Describes Russian Troop Buildup on Border, Belarus, at Sea; U.N. Security Council Meets to Discuss Russia-Ukraine Tension. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired January 31, 2022 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: --contravention of the COVID rules. And I understand how deeply people feel about this and how angry they are.
And I've apologized several times Mr. Speaker. But I must say that I think we should wait for the outcome of the inquiry by before jumping to the
conclusions that he has. And in the meantime, we should focus on the issues that matter to the British people.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Caroline notes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Speaker, the public in this house has been frustrated by having to wait for Sue Gray, wait for the Metropolitan Police. And today
the Prime Minister has announced his new office at number 10. Please, can you let this house know what specific structures are going to be put in
place so that this house can hold it accountable?
JOHNSON: Well, Ms. Speaker, we will make sure that there's a new permanent secretary who will be accountable to me, and we will make sure that the
codes of conduct that are applied by the - and to civil servants are properly enforced.
And of course, all of that will be properly communicated to the house. Mr. Speaker, what I want to see is much better communication and, and links
between a number 10 and the entirety of the House of Commons and we will do that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So George Helen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker yesterday, at the local Tesco store in my constituency, a constituent has been - it was in a tone more in
sorrow than in anger. Why doesn't the Prime Minister realize that as every day goes by, he damages the reputation of our country abroad and around the
world?
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, now I want to take you from the House of Commons in Britain to the U.N. where the ambassador for
Russia today is making a statement.
VASILY NEBENZIA, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: One might have the impression that Russia is scared of discussing the situation regarding
Ukraine, and therefore put forward this procedural vote. Russia is not refusing to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
But we just don't understand what we are discussing here today and why we are indeed here today. As I already said, on the 17th of February, we are
planning to hold a meeting during our presidency of the seventh anniversary of the implementation of the Minsk agreements, where we are able to talk
about the situation with regarding Ukrainian settlement.
But today's meeting is not about that. Recently, we've been encountering a very unusual event given today's difficult time situation a very unusual
situation. The deployment of Russian troops within our own territory has frequently occurred on varying scales before and has not caused any
hysterics whatsoever.
Troops and non-servicemen who are in their own areas of deployment and barracks where they were before and they are where they were not actually
on the border, so this deployment of Russian troops in our own territory is getting our Western and U.S. colleagues to say that there's going to be a
planned military action and even an act of aggression.
But the USPR - said as if that act of aggression has already taken place very carefully, listen to his statement. The military action of Russia
against Ukraine that they're all assuring us is going to take place in just a few weeks' time if not a few days' time.
There, however, is no proof confirming such a serious accusation whatsoever being put forward? However, is not preventing people from whipping up his
material to such an extent that an actual economic impact is already being felt by our Ukrainian neighbors.
Western colleagues are talking about the need for de-escalation. However, first and foremost, they themselves are whipping up tensions and rhetoric
and a provoking escalation. The discussions about a threat of war are provocative in and of itself.
You are almost calling for this. You want it to happen. You're waiting for it to happen, as if you want to make your words become a reality. This is
despite the fact that we are constantly rejecting these allegations.
And this is despite the fact that no threat of a planned invasion into Ukraine, from the lips of any Russian politician or public figure over all
of this period has been made, no such threat has been made. Rather at all levels we've been categorically rejecting such plans.
[11:05:00]
NEBENZIA: And I, we're going to do this right now. Everybody who claims the opposite is misleading you. If our Western colleagues who provoked and
supported the 2014 Bloody anti-constitutional cue bringing to power in Kyiv nationalist radicals, Russophobes and pure fascists, that sees rather, if
they've not done this, then we to date would be living in a spirit of good neighborly relations and mutual cooperation.
However, some in the West just don't clearly like this positive scenario. What's happening today is yet another attempt to drive a wedge between
Russia and Ukraine. Thanks to their political games, our colleagues have been suffering for some seven years now.
The Ukrainians are actively being brainwashed, cultivated old Russia phobia and radical thinking, leading to the belief that for Ukraine to have a
bright future, it mustn't establish relations with its neighbors, but rather at any cost strive to join the EU and NATO.
They are banning Russian, which is a native language for a significant if not the majority of people in Ukraine. They are causing an orthodox split
church split or divide. They are making heroes out of those people who fought on the side of Hitler, who destroyed Jews, Poles, Ukrainians and
Russians.
The interest of the Ukrainian people in this destructive game is something that our Western colleagues are not taking into consideration. Their aim is
to prevent the natural brotherly coexistence of our two people, brotherly peoples, peoples and countries rather, which would destroy their plans to
weaken Russia and would create an arc of instability around it.
There's nothing that we're seeing this new here that in the same spirit of divide and conquer the divide and rule. The same spirit was characteristic
for Western powers Western states rather earlier.
It's also noteworthy that our American colleagues artificially are getting involved in the sham tension that they themselves created on the Russian
Ukrainian border. There was the negotiation process - by myself to ensure for Russia legally binding security guarantees.
They deliberately are creating impression that Moscow apparently is specifically are staring our attention. That means that it can be more
accessible for the U.S. and NATO. If you develop - the timetable for the negotiation process, you'll see that such considerations are fundamentally
untrue.
The situation in fact is completely the opposite almost and colleagues are trying on the wave of on top of this wave of Syria to boil our dialogue
slowly down to so called settlement of the situation on the border with Ukraine.
Our security demands are much broader, the non-insertion of Ukraine to NATO, non-deployment in its territory of foreign troops. All of this is
just one part of the agreement that could fundamentally improve the military political situation in Europe and for the world as a whole.
And this type of agreement is something that we talked about in the Istanbul OSCE summits where, apart from the freedom to choose one's allies
or alliances was also the stipulation, that the - of some states should not be carried out to the detriment of the security of other states.
Since our American colleagues convened us today, let them show us any evidence apart from bogus narratives that Russia is intending to attack
Ukraine. In the statement of my American colleague, there was a significant hodgepodge of accusations of aggressive actions by Russia, but no specific
fact given.
[11:10:00]
NEBENZIA: Incidentally I like to put a question not only to our U.S. colleague but also to those is that, where did you get the figure of
100,000 troops that are deployed as you stayed on the Russian Ukrainian border, although that is not the case.
We have never cited that figure. We've never confirmed that figure. We do recall this. And we will recall this since the Secretary of State Colin
Powell, in this very room, waved around a vial with an unidentified substance, so called evidence of the presence of WMD's in Iraq. They didn't
find any weapons.
But what happened with that country's well known to one and all, Ukraine as well is a country it seems that our colleagues are prepared to sacrifice
for their own national interests. Otherwise, it's hard to explain why and convening us today.
The initiators of this meeting did not even - the opinion of the President of Ukraine, who asked the West not to whip up panic, which has already had
a harmful impact on the economic situation in the country.
Otherwise, it's difficult to explain why our colleagues from the U.S and a number of other countries actively pumping Ukraine full of weapons and
ammunition and talk about this with great pride moreover, the weapons that it would readily use against civilians in the east of its own country.
And all this is being done in violation of the Minsk agreements approved by the U.N. Security Council, as the only basis for a peaceful settlement of
the internal Ukrainian conflict.
Incidentally, to my American colleagues, well, she mentioned the fact that 14,000 people have died in the conflict. I would recommend that she read
the report of the special monitoring mission of the OSCE and look at what side how many people died on each side out of these 14,000.
Most of these people are civilians in Donbas, who died from shelling from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Madam President, the maneuvers of the U.S.
regarding the convening of this meeting is particularly hypocritical, because it was the Americans who hold the record for having true presences
outside their territory.
American troops, advisors and weapons, including nuclear weapons, are frequently deployed thousands of kilometers from Washington.
I'm not even talking about the fact that the military adventures of the U.S. have killed hundreds of thousands of civilians of countries of places
where they were supposed to be bringing peace - to U.S. consistently in recent years as used forced against other states without the authorization
of the insecurity cancel.
In that are - sanctions and coercive measures as threat of implementing it to seems to be like the ruling of some kind of Supreme Court, they want to
impose - enemy. For example, many countries of the U.N. have been subjected to aggression or attacks by 191 countries of the Security Council have seen
American troops deployed there.
There is data available on the internet, stating that there are 750 U.S. bases in more than 80 countries of the world, the overall number deployed -
of U.S. troops. This is 175,000 troops deployed abroad. 175,000 and more than 60,000 troops are deployed in Europe.
The volume of the U.S. military budget was $700 million, 778 rather. So Russia's budget was 12 times lower. So these examples pose a specific
threat to international peace and security by clear examples of this.
As regards the cause to settle the crisis regarding Ukraine, we wholeheartedly clapping for this crisis that this crisis just has one
dimension it's domestic Ukrainian crisis. And changing the situation proving it can only be done through Kyiv, implementing the already
mentioned Minsk agreements that stipulate primarily direct dialogue with -- .
There is no other option if western partners push Kyiv to sabotage the Minsk agreement something that you can - that they are willingly wanting to
- they are willingly using or willingly doing, then that might end in the absolute worst way for Ukraine.
[11:15:00]
NEBENZIA: And not because somebody has destroyed it, but because it would have destroyed itself and Russia has absolutely nothing to do with this.
Don't try to shift the blame on somebody else.
And we are going instantly to talk about all of this in detail on the 17th of February, during the long planned Annual U.N. Security Council meeting
on the implementation of Resolution 2202. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thank the Representative of the Russian Federation. I give the floor to the Representative of Gabor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to thank -
ANDERSON: Right, Russia, accusing the United States of stoking hysteria over Ukraine with a U.N. security meeting that the ambassador, the Russian
ambassador to the U.N. described as a PR stunt.
Justify your massing of the thousands of troops on Ukraine's border demands, the U.S. Ambassador; she describes Moscow's actions as a threat to
internal peace and security.
You've been watching the meeting of the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. and Russia squaring off in no uncertain terms. Let's get you more on this. Nic
Robertson is standing by for you in Moscow, Sam Kylie is in Ukraine and Kylie Atwood herself is at the United Nations. Where Kylie as I described
it, the two countries squaring off, what did you make of what we heard?
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S.S SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, listen, Becky, what we just listened to from the Russian ambassador to the United Nations was,
frankly, predictable.
They did what they have been doing in public settings over the last few weeks denying that Russia has any intentions of carrying out any military
action against Ukraine, saying that the U.S. is whipping up hysteria here denying that figure of about 100,000 Russian troops along the border of
Ukraine that the U.S. has said they have seen.
And other countries have also said they have seen. And they also tried to create, you know, some distracting lines here saying that the U.S. is the
one that has troops abroad more than any other country in foreign countries, sort of shifting the blame here and pointing it back at the U.S.
But for the Biden Administration's part, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, called what is happening right now urgent and dangerous. And said
the reason that the U.S. called for this meeting at the United Nations today was because there have been more than 100 meetings privately over the
last few weeks.
Over this crisis, this building crisis along the Russia Ukraine border, and she said now was the time to talk about it in a public setting. This is the
first time that we have seen the American and the Russian officials at the same table engaged in diplomacy.
And of course, there are some theatrics here, but it's significant that they have to look eye to eye and speak to one another in front of the
entire world stage here. And one interesting thing to note is that Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield spoke about this buildup that we have
seen along the Russian border.
And also gave us some new information saying that the U.S. has reason to believe that Russia has preparations to bring in up to 30,000 troops along,
excuse me into Belarus over the next few weeks over into early February demonstrating that this isn't just a crisis in and of itself, but it is a
growing crisis. And that's why the U.S. wants to put a spotlight at it on the U.N. today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Russia's aggression today not only threatened Ukraine, it also threatens Europe. It
threatens the international order this body is charged with upholding.
An order that if it stands for anything stands for the principle that one country cannot simply redraw another country's borders by force or make
another country's people live under a government they did not choose.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ATWOOD: Now Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield also said the consequences if Russia does invade Ukraine will be horrific and she spoke about the need
to come to Ukraine support. They supported the U.S. and asking for this meeting to take place at the U.N. Security Council today. This is still an
ongoing meeting.
So we'll see if the U.S. comes back and says anything to what the Russians have put forth, Becky.
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: Kylie Atwood is at the U.N. fascinating times here. Let's get to Moscow. Nic, what is the perspective there? What did you get out of what
we've heard?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Absolutely as Kiley said, this is sort of vintage, what we've been hearing from Russian
officials all along. There was no sense of irony, of course, no sense of irony.
When the Russian ambassador said doesn't try to turn this on us, after having given a lengthy rendition of where the U.S. troops have where the
United States has troops around the world.
And diving in deeply on this idea that the United States is creating hysteria, picking up on what President Zelensky and others in Kyiv have
said about asking the United States to sort of tone down what they're saying, trying to sort of pick up on that, and again, making amplifying
that particular point.
But you know, at the moment, it is very clear that on one level, Russia will continue to engage in some level of diplomacy. The foreign minister
over the weekend said that he was writing and urgently demanding some answers from both NATO and the United States on clarifications of what
they'd said in their letters from last week.
So that's an indication the tracks ongoing where the track goes, we don't know, because their spokesman for the President today, President Putin
spokesman said that President Putin was going to respond when he is ready.
So in essence, everyone still has to wait on President Putin. But I think, the tone of this meeting here really, perhaps gives us an insight. And as
U.S. Ambassador said, you know 100 meetings or so in the background that are not public that people don't see. But here lifts the lid and gives us
an eye and an ear to what those meetings are like where Russia persists in pushing back and turning the table on the United States.
So I think we get a sense of just how fraught all those discussions are, and what we might call diplomacy in progress here. Rather sessions of just
counter narratives where middle ground is not yet being found.
ANDERSON: Which Sam leaves Ukraine were at this point?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, here in Ukraine, as Nic was observing, and indeed, as the Russian ambassador was very keen
to point out there has been a slightly dissonant tone struck between what the President of Ukraine would call the President of Ukraine would
characterize the threat being posed to his country and how the U.S. and the United Kingdom would characterize it.
At the same time he's asking for urgent military supplies to be increased and indeed to impose sanctions pre-emptive sanctions the Ukrainians want to
see against Russia making the point that any post invasion sanctions are closing the door after the horses bolted.
There's no - doesn't it may serve Europe, but it certainly doesn't serve the interests of a sovereign nation, such as Ukraine. So they are here in
Ukraine. It's very interesting here in Kyiv, there isn't a sense of impending doom at all.
There are citizens signing up to the home guard the reserves, they are opening up the Soviet era nuclear bunkers, in case it does come to a
shooting war. Those, I think the key statistic in there that will be worrying coming from the U.S. ambassador that a figure of saying that
whilst there are 5000 Russian troops in Belarus, allegedly exercising some of them quite near to the Ukrainian border, they expect that number.
This is U.S. figures to go up to 30,000. That does only about a two hours plus drive from where I'm standing here that will concentrate the minds
considerably of the government here in Kyiv Becky.
ANDERSON: Sam Kiley is in Ukraine, Kylie Atwood is at the U.N., and Nic is in Moscow. For the time being guys, thank you very much indeed. We're going
to take a short break, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: Failures of leadership difficult to justify just some of what is in a key report into the so called party gate scandal. Rocking Downing
Street in London, a reminder this is a report into alleged lockdown parties at number 10, the home and the office of the Prime Minister.
Well, Boris Johnson, as well as the UK and the rest of us now getting a look at that report, or at least part of it. And it is strong stuff. For
instance, this quote, at least some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe not just the high standards expected of those
working out the heart of government, but also of the standards expected of the entire British population at the time. Well, just last hour, Mr.
Johnson briefed Parliament about the findings, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: This pandemic was hard for everyone. We asked people across this country to make the most extraordinary sacrifices, not to meet loved ones
not to visit relatives before they died.
And I understand the anger that people feel. But Mr. Speaker, it isn't enough to say sorry, this is a moment when - ourselves in the mirror. And
we must learn. And while the Metropolitan Police must yet complete their investigation, and that means there are no details of specific events in
Sue Gray's report.
I of course, accept Sue Gray's general findings in full and above all her recommendation that we must learn from these events and act now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We got a team on this. Let's start with Salma Abdelaziz who is outside Downing Street. As we speak, you saw the Prime Minister leave the
home behind you his home and his office.
And that is the site of where these party gate allegations lie started his statement today with one word, Salma sorry. And he went on to say there
will be changes, changes to the way that Downing Street will be run.
And that was the extent to all intents and purposes of his response to what is this damning report. He asked can the party be trusted to deliver. And
he said yes, it can. And then he went on to list the successes of his government including delivering Brexit on this the two year anniversary.
What did you make of what you heard?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Becky, it's interesting. You brought up that portion because that's the portion that stood out to me when Prime Minister
Boris Johnson stood in front of Parliament and said I get it and I will fix it. Here's the thing, Becky, many people in this country think he does not
get it.
This is a prime minister who denied, denied, denied that any party's took place. Now we know that there are 16 events under question 12 of which are
being looked at by the police as a potential criminal offence.
And it's not just about these parties anymore; it's again about those denials from the Prime Minister. And then what was widely considered by
many to be just outright lies as the prime minister tried to justify, really the unjustifiable.
[11:30:00]
ABDELAZIZ: So the idea that the prime minister could stand up and again, you read portions of that report just damning condemnation of this
government. It really reads like how you would scold a naughty child, excessive alcohol should not be drink at the workplace.
Apparently, a senior civil servant needs to remind this government of those rules, you know, the high standards expected by the British government were
not upheld. I mean, this is really tough language.
So for the prime minister, who is the man at the head of this government receiving this torrent of criticism, this damning condemnation to say yes,
I am the man at the head of this government, but somehow I'm also the man to fix it.
I don't think that's going to fly, Becky, it's not going to find the court of public opinion. We already know that because two thirds of adults in
this country want to see the Prime Minister resign.
The question is, will it fly with his own party, the Conservative Party, and we can see that doesn't seem to be working, either. There are already
members of his own party standing up and scolding him. And you heard their former Prime Minister Theresa May saying, the government's job should be to
follow the rules. It is a threat to democracy, a function of our political process. If the government does not follow and uphold the rules, it
applies.
So he now needs convinced his own lawmakers, Becky, that he gets it and he will fix it. I'm not quite sure if he can.
ANDERSON: Let me bring in Peter Kellner here. Visiting Scholar at Carnegie, part of a global network of policy research centers, focuses on Brexit,
populism and electoral democracy. Good to have you. You're also of course, a former journalist working for several British publications, your work. I
used to enjoy reading a lot, Peter. It's good to have you.
A man without shame is how the Leader of the Opposition party described the Prime Minister perhaps not the punch that would wound as much as the
savaging that his colleague and former British Prime Minister Theresa May delivered in the house today.
Sam - who's just very eloquently described where we are at effectively in this, of course, not all of what we're going to get because there is an
ongoing police investigation. But as you watched, listen to the Prime Minister and watch what was going on in Parliament today. How do you read
where we are at? Does he survive this?
PETER KELLNER, VISITING SCHOLAR, CARNEGIE EUROPE: Let me see one very significant thing, watching this afternoon. As is common when a prime
minister makes a statement, the Leader of the Opposition - got up to respond.
They're normally when you get a really dramatic moments, the supporters of the prime minister will try and heckle the Leader of the Opposition, shouts
put him off his strike put him off. They didn't.
The conservative benches were completely silent during Kyiv stammers attack on the prime minister. And that tells you that on the conservative benches,
there is a lot of unease.
Only a couple of MPs we mentioned Theresa May the former Prime Minister attacking Boris Johnson and other former Cabinet Minister Andrew Mitchell
said he no longer had confidence in the Boris Johnson should go.
The other Conservative MPs who spoke who asked questions were basically supportive. And there's one of the things if I may, Becky. What I think
Boris Johnson is clinging on to by a thread is that Sue Gray's interim report doesn't directly criticize Boris Johnson, personally, for anything.
She talks about number 10 and the government in general and a failure of leadership. But she is not in this report, because of the police
investigation specifically attacked Boris Johnson, whether that thread will be strong enough to keep Boris Johnson hang on - we'll have to wait to see.
ANDERSON: I mean, the police are investigating these are - it's all intents and purposes, may you know, issues of criminal wrongdoing. You know,
depending on what comes out of that, I guess will ultimately provide some substance as to whether this prime minister can stay, correct?
I mean, at this point, as long as he has the support of his party. You know, he's - he remains leader of the party, but ultimately what will push
him over the edge? I just want our viewers to get a sense of what the process is here.
KELLNER: OK, right. Well, the police process is looking at whether anybody has broken the rules, and it's basically breaking the COVID rules. It's a
cash penalty. Not a very big one. It's not a major criminal offense.
My guess is that Boris Johnson will have to pay a fine for the offending party. The real question is whether the police discovered something more
serious, some sort of conspiracy to avoid justice.
[11:35:00]
KELLNER: There's something if there's a more actively smoking gun than simply the fact that the Prime Minister broke the rules, which everybody, I
think, more or less accepts, then it could become serious. So we'll have to, to wait and see.
But as I say, watching the comments this afternoon, in the end, I think it'll be a political judgment room in the process, Becky, is it it'll be
Conservative MPs who decide whether Boris Johnson stays or goes.
We've got nationwide local elections coming up in about 10 weeks from now. The conservatives, if they do really, really badly, then raw power politics
kicks in. Members of parliament and other members of parliament think this is really bad.
Boris Johnson is going to lose us the next election. I Tory MP, I'm going to lose my seats, if that's the reason they come to that may be curtains
for Boris Johnson. So it's partly an issue of is the criminality serious? And it's partly real politics.
ANDERSON: Yes, let me bring in my colleague, Max Foster at this point. This is something that you and I have been discussing now for some days whether
the British Prime Minister retains the support of his party at this point.
We're talking about those back benches that, as Peter pointed out, we're not roaring in support of the prime minister today. We didn't hear the sort
of noise that would normally wash out the response from the opposition leader.
To the extent actually when we listened to - Thomas speaking it all sounded rather weak to a certain extent, because you would expect him to have to
speak over this roar of support from the Tory backbenches. What do we understand to be the support or lack thereof at this point? Is it clear?
MAX FOSTER, CNN LONDON CORRESPONDENT: Well, there was one Tory backbencher that did say stand up and say he doesn't have support; his support isn't in
the Prime Minister any longer. So it was a very public way of addressing that later on tonight.
Boris Johnson is going before those Tory backbenchers. So that's the first sense he's probably going to get of how angry they are with him. I think, I
mean, we're discussing it. There are two parallel investigations here, the civil service one and then you've got the police one as well.
Just whilst you're speaking, got an update from the police, the Metropolitan Police confirming they will be investigating eight of the 12
dates considered by the Cabinet Office as part of their own investigation into alleged gathering.
So they are looking into eight parties, the police, which is probably the most serious part of this. If you imagine is that serious potential
wrongdoing on eight occasions within Downing Street that is the really worrying thing for Downing Street right now.
The penalties won't be huge will be a fixed penalty if anyone's found guilty. But it's an extraordinary moment, really. And I suspect that the
backbenchers will be waiting for that result, or at least the fuller Civil Service Report. This isn't a full report. And that won't come out until we
had the police investigation as well.
ANDERSON: Peter, let me bring you back in at this point, because the Prime Minister, the upshot of the response today. I'm sorry. I just want to get
back to the United Nations. Before we come to events at the moment, this is the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. speaking at this meeting on Ukraine.
THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Russia, as claimed by our Russian colleagues today. On the contrary, we welcome Russia as a responsible member of the
international community. But its actions on the border of Ukraine are not responsible.
The threats of aggression on the border of Ukraine, yes, on its border are provocative. Our recognition of the facts on the ground is not provocative.
The threats of action if Russia's security demands aren't met, is provocative, our encouraging diplomacy is not provocative.
The provocation is from Russia, not from us, or other members of this Council. We have made clear our commitment to the path of diplomacy. I hope
our Russian colleagues will also choose this path and engage peacefully with the international community including Ukraine.
I say to Russia simply this; your actions will speak for themselves. And we hope and encourage that you make the right choices before this Council
today. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thank the Representative of the United States. I give the floor to the Representative of the Russian Federation who has
asked for the floor to --.
NEBENZIA: Thank you, Madam President. I didn't plan to enter a dialogue between Russia and the U.S. in this meeting. Everything that we wanted to
say is in our statement today. However we really just don't understand what threats and provocations and escalation by Rush is being talked about.
[11:40:00]
NEBENZIA: OK, fine. You've already said about this in your statement will find this. But I want to say that when I heard the statement of the U.S., I
didn't hear any mention, or any reference to the Minsk Agreement, or 2202 Council Resolution, and that is very indicative, incidentally.
So this is the context that we need to use when we're talking about the Ukrainian crisis. The U.S. is looking at this from a completely different
angle. And ultimately, Madam President, I would like to apologize to the members of the council.
And I don't want to change the situation. I, really, just before our presidency of the Security Council have to meet with the Security General
as I'm going to have to leave. And so I can't change this situation because of the SGs timetable. So I'm going to have to leave. I do apologize. Thank
you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thank the Representative of the Russian Federation. I wish now then to again, remind all speakers to limit their statement to
no more than five minutes in order to enable the council to carry out this work expeditiously. I now give the floor to the Representative of Ukraine.
SERGIY KYSLYTSYA, UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Well, thank you, Madam President. I would like immediately to apologize that they may
not be within the five minute limits, especially given the length of the Russian intervention.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Norwegian presidency for calling this briefing of the Security Council of the needle, which I spoke
exactly a fortnight ago with Her Excellency, Foreign Minister of Norway during our meeting here in New York.
I express our thanks to the U.S. who has a member of the Security Council in close coordination with Ukraine and partners requested today's briefing.
And of course, I express our appreciation of the presentation by Undersecretary Decarlo.
It's a duty and need for the Security Council to be fully informed in case of grave threats to international peace and security. What is going on
along the border with Ukraine, where the Russian Federation continues its military buildup falls under the above qualification?
It is important that Ukraine's vote is heard today in the Security Council and is not lost in translation when the position of my country has been
delivered by a foreign ambassador in the Russian language.
I would ask the deputy of - to tell him that my leadership speaks his language has its own ambassadors and spokespersons. So there is no need to
interpret the words of Ukrainian officials in a foreign language, especially if it is done the way Humpty Dumpty.
So that - spoke of the meaning of the words even if Lewis Carroll appears to be a favorite writer of the Russian top diplomats.
Against the backdrop of unprecedented sequence of higher level diplomatic contacts in the past few weeks, a serious talk in the Security Council is
required more than ever to present facts, to listen to each other's positions and concerns, as well as to outline for the actions towards the
escalation.
The fact is that nowadays about 112,000 Russian troops have been amassed around Ukraine's borders and in Crimea. And together with the maritime and
aviation components, their number reaches about 130,000.
Another fact is that the Russian troops are also being deployed to Belarus for the Union results 2022 join drills to be held on 10 to 20th February.
They include in particular Iskander missile divisions, as for - crafter systems, so - 35 generation four plus, plus fighters.
[11:45:00]
KYSLYTSYA: On top of that on 26 January the Russian fleet started another military drill in the Black Sea with involvement of frigates, battleships,
missile ships assault landing ships, and minesweepers.
This reminds us of the ongoing habit militarization of the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov by Russia, which poses
a serious threat to Ukraine, all littoral states, and thereby the region.
Significant reinforcement of combat capabilities of the Russian occupation forces in Donbas is another worrying trend. Currently, these formations
consist of up to 35,000 personnel, including around 3000 servicemen of the Russian armed forces on command post and in other critical combat
positions.
In the border areas outside government control illegal border crossings by cargo trains, and truck convoys, delivering armed supplies to the Russian
armed formations in Donbas is a routine practice.
OSE as the man reports provide ample evidence of various illegal activities in the border areas. No surprise, the restrictions of the OSE as demand
freedom of movement are on the increase, in particular, in non-government controlled areas close to the Ukraine Russia border.
On the 22nd December 2021, the Trilateral Contact Group reached another understanding on resuming the ceasefire regime. Nevertheless, shootings,
shillings sniper fire on Ukrainian positions and systematic use of attack UAVs against Ukrainian troops have not stopped.
We have lost 12 servicemen killed in action and 14 wounded since 22nd December 2021. Just a few days ago, on January 25, armed formations of the
Russian Federation once again attacked the positions of the armed forces of Ukraine in the area of - Shubik Donetsk region using an attack UAV.
VOG-17 fragmentation grenades dropped from the UAV resulted in severe injuries to Ukrainian servicemen. The current impasse in the consultations
process within the framework of the TCG continues on practically all tracks.
While the decisions adopted by the normally former leaders during the December 2019 summit in Paris remain unimplemented. Over the past year and
a half, we have seen deliberate efforts by the Russian side to out to obstruct TCG activities, and even to prevent finalization of the already
agreed including at the expert level arrangements within TCG in the security and humanitarian areas.
All this is accompanied by Russia's stubborn denial of being a party to the armed conflict that has been raging for eight years now in the Donbas
region of Ukraine attempts to impose a so called direct dialogue with these puppet occupation administrations, as well as refusal to engage in
substantive discussion on political settlement of the conflict.
The question is while all these Russian forces are there, we have asked this question on different - along with sending own clear messages. Ukraine
is not going to launch military offensive neither in Donbas, nor in Crimea, nor anywhere else.
Ukraine sees no alternative to peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict and restoration of his sovereignty and territorial integrity. Yet we also
see a surge in Russian disinformation campaign including false accusations of Ukraine plotting and military attack.
This is now going to happen. This is direct evidence of Russia's unwillingness to de-escalate and prepare to justify is possible for the
aggression. We are well aware of Russia's history of ploys and provocations and we will do everything possible to prevent another - type provocation by
Russia.
Once again, I have clean instructions from my government to reiterate today the absence of any aggressive intention as well as Ukraine's strong
commitment to peace.
[11:50:00]
KYSLYTSYA: Today, we have heard from the Russian side that they do not intend to launch a war against my country although one should rather speak
about to launch a new phase of the Russian aggression.
It is very important message as we still lack credible explanations by Russia of his actions and military movements. Based on experience, we
cannot believe Russian declarations, but only practical moves on withdrawal of troops from the border.
Madam President, Ukraine strongly rejects any attempt to use the strength of force as an instrument of pressure to make Ukraine and our partners
accept illegitimate demands. There is no room for compromise on principle issues.
The most principal position for Ukraine is that we have inherent sovereign right to choose our own security arrangements, including treaties of
alliances, which cannot be questioned by Russia.
Moreover, this right is enshrined in many international legal instruments that Russia itself a party too. Ukraine will not borrow the threats aimed
at weakening Ukraine, undermining its economic and financial stability and inciting public frustration.
This will not happen and the Kremlin master member that Ukraine is ready to defend itself. At the same time, we support the need to keep diplomatic
channels with Russia open if that prevents us shift to military tools.
My president has reiterated most recently that he is ready to meet his Russian counterpart. If Russia has any questions to Ukraine, it is better
to meet and talk not to bring troops to the Ukrainian borders, and intimidate Ukrainian people.
For Ukraine, the first priority today is to achieve a sustainable and unconditional ceasefire in Donbas. The ceasefire regime must be guaranteed
reliable. And on this basis, further steps can be taken.
Intensification of the work of the Normandy format, including at the level of leaders of the four countries, is an important prerequisite for next
steps towards lasting peace in Donbas. And we are ready to resume normally for talks in all formats.
The recent political advisors meeting on 26 January, in Paris, despite many differences, gives the hope for a continuation of the negotiation process,
which Ukraine will staunchly support.
Madam President, we consider that despite the Russian attempt to impede the briefing from being held, the Security Council and the wider U.N.
membership have received today very important information.
Information that the members of the Security Council need to take an informed decision when appropriate, to act swiftly and decisively in
employing preventive diplomacy under the chapter six of the U.N. Charter that rests on the Security Council responsibility to investigate any
dispute or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute.
After listening to the Russian ambassador, today, I would like to ask how long Russia will pressure will pursue a clear attempt to push Ukraine and
its partners into a Kafka trap. And still, I perhaps should acknowledge that it was important to hear the Russian envoy today. And yet I must end
with what my foreign minister has recently said.
And I "if Russian officials are serious when they say they don't want a new war, Russia must continue diplomatic engagement and pull back military
forces. It amassed along Ukraine's borders, as in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Diplomacy is the only responsible way". Let's judge
by actions, not by riddles and semantic puzzles. Thank you for your attention.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thank the Representative of Ukraine and I give the floor to the Representative of Belarus.
[11:55:00]
VALENTYN RYBAKOV, BELARUSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Thank you, Madam President. The Republic of Belarus is continuing to uphold its
consistent and principle position on the unacceptable nature of resolving any conflict by force.
We have made significant efforts to settle the conflict in Ukraine; our country is still prepared to do everything possible to restore dialogue and
mutual understanding in the region.
There is no alternative to the Minsk agreements playing a key role in the peaceful settlement of the crisis. The negotiation process as part of the
Trilateral Contact Group, and also the practical implementation of the agreements in the conflict zone of the domestic Ukrainian conflict will
enable the peace process in Ukraine to get on a sustainable positive track.
The U.S. delegation proposing today's topic for consideration in the Security Council is yet another attempt to artificially whip up tension in
the region purely for as an instrument of political accusations.
Such actions only heightened mistrust, and in no way help to solve disagreements, despite the concerns expressed frequently by representatives
of the Republic of Belarus at international - negotiation negotiating for enduring bilateral contracts.
The expansion of military powers on our western and southern borders not only is not - but rather it's becoming threatening in nature, despite
consistent calls for dialogue and cooperation, including regarding arms control.
In fact, even more pressure is being exerted on our country by individual countries. Our proposals to return to negotiations are not being responded
to by our Western partners.
Incidentally, I'd like to draw your attention to the fact that here, we had a reference to the Budapest Memorandum, which was to really urge you to
read that document regarding the Republic of Belarus.
And I would draw your attention to the promises in that document, not to exert any coercive economic measures on Belarus, and to remember the
numerous packages of economic sanctions from individual states that have posed against us.
Given the current difficult situation the leaders of Belarus and Russia have taken the decision to conduct jointly activities to assess the
preparedness of the armed forces of the two states to provide military security given the commitment of our military political alliance.
As part of these agreements a decision has been taken in February this year to conduct a verification of the responsiveness of our forces of our
alliance.
The main aims of this verification of the military forces are to assess the preparedness and capability of our military command and control to conduct
joint exercises to guarantee security of our allied states. To develop joint measures to eradicate a threat on the borders of our allied state,
including caused by the migration crisis and the need to stabilize the humanitarian situation.
Organizing the defense and protection of strategically important facilities to curb and ward off external acts of aggression during defensive
operations and to combat terrorism and protect the interests of our state alliances are the final stage of these activities.
From the 10th to the 20th of February this year, there will be a joint Belarusian exercises with - allied resolve 2022. During these drills, there
will be joint drills carried out for specific purposes. We note that these options for actions for this regional group of troops are something that
has been regularly developed during joint exercises. They are always purely defensive in nature.
And they pose no threat either for our European partners or our neighboring countries. Republican Belarus is continuing to uphold unswervingly all of
its obligations under international regional treaties rather on arms control.
END
