Ukraine, Lethal Weapons Supplies by Western Countries: Statement During Open Briefing
Kenya's national statement, delivered by Amb. Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative
Mr. President,
I thank USG Izumi Nakamitsu, (Interpol) and Ms Dragana Trifković for their briefing.
Today, this Council meets for the third time in three days over the tragic and unnecessary events that continue to unfold in Ukraine.
We remind that the nations of the world, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, bequeathed to themselves the United Nations Charter. In it, they pledged to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Every subsequent independent State, including Kenya, subscribed to this charter, fully convinced that it offered sufficient protection for its own sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.
But on 24th February, 2022 a war was waged on Ukraine in defiance of the UN Charter - reducing its sacrosanct provisions to mere rhetoric and idealistic aspirations.
More tragically, this war, perpetrated through the deployment of heavy military hardware including reported indiscriminate weapons, has subjected millions of Ukrainian people to great suffering.
Only yesterday, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo informed this Council that it has so far generated 6.9 Internally Displaced Persons and 7 million refugees.
We believe that the concern about proliferation of weapons in Ukraine is legitimate. It is a natural consequence of any armed conflict.
In this case, one member State is deploying weapons in the continuing violation of the territorial integrity of another, contrary to the UN Charter. The other State is mobilising and deploying weapons in its legitimate right to defend its people and territory.
Experience shows that the proliferation of weapons arising from armed conflict is a major source of illegal trafficking in arms and constitutes a threat to international peace and security.
Mr. President, to address the proliferation of weapons in Ukraine and also to spare the people of Ukraine from further suffering, we will not tire to call for an immediate cessation of the conflict to give a chance to dialogue.
This dialogue should deliver a mutual understanding in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is respected, and the legitimate concerns of other relevant parties taken into account.
I thank you.