Ukraine, Lethal Weapons Supplies and Consequences: Statement During Open Briefing

Thank you Madam President,

I thank Under-Secretary General Izumi Nakamitsu, and Mr. Daniel Kovalik for their briefings.

We take note with extreme concern the ruinous damage the war is causing to Ukrainian lives, Ukraine's legitimate right to sovereignty and territorial integrity, and regional and international security.

As the Security Council debates the conduct of the war, as we have done so often including on 6th December, only two days ago, we must reiterate our calls that every effort be deployed to stop it. We must be more responsive to our fundamental mandate to maintain international peace and security comprehensively.

We acknowledge the heavy responsibility Ukraine must bear in defencing her internationally recognised boundaries. While conscripting, training and arming one's army and even population in times of war is expected, the impact of the proliferation of weapons is bound to have a big impact not only in the country in conflict, but also beyond.

Madam President,

We are faced with a multi-pronged global crisis from the war in Ukraine. Besides the magnitude of food insecurity threatening especially by developing countries, and a more complicated multilateral order, we must now move to urgently address the unprecedented proliferation of weapons.

However, none of these challenges can be effectively addressed with the war raging on. As the first and most effective step, the war needs to end.

Kenya, therefore, calls for specific and sustained efforts to reach arrangements that deliver a minimum level of de-escalation and de-confliction while establishing channels of dialogue that will lead to a stable global order.

We further reiterate our call to the warring parties, their allies, and partners to enter into comprehensive discussions on a set of guidelines that will reanimate their willingness to modify their strategic posture according to the United Nations Charter.

It is in the interest of the entire global community, and in particular the developing countries, for this war to end ushering in a new age of global peace and cooperation.

Finally, Madam President, we again call for a cessation of hostilities, and for a political settlement that respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Ukraine.

Thank you.