Summary:
- Any decision to annex the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia would be illegal.
- The UN supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
United Nations on September 30. The annexation of the Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia will begin on Friday, according to the Kremlin, at a ceremony to be held in Moscow.
I must emphasize that my responsibility as Secretary-General is to uphold the United Nations Charter in this dangerous situation.
The UN Charter is unambiguous.
A violation of the UN Charter’s principles and international law results from any annexation of a state’s territory by another state brought about by the threat or use of force.
The General Assembly of the United Nations is equally unambiguous.
The General Assembly proclaimed in its historic Friendly Relations Declaration of October 24, 1970, that “the territory of a state shall not be the object of acquisition by another state resulting from the threat or use of force” and that “no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal.” The International Court of Justice has repeatedly cited this declaration as stating the rules of general international law.
It must be explicit.
As one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, the Russian Federation has a special obligation to uphold the Charter.
Any decision to annex the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia would be illegal and should be opposed.
- It is incompatible with the rules of international law.
- It contradicts all that the global community is supposed to stand for.
- It disregards the UN’s objectives and guiding principles.
- It’s a risky escalation.
- In the contemporary world, it has no place.
- It shouldn’t be sanctioned.
Unambiguously, the UN supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and in conformity with the pertinent UN resolutions.
I want to emphasize that the so-called “referenda” in the occupied territories took place outside Ukraine’s legal and constitutional framework amid an ongoing military conflict and in Russia-controlled regions.
They cannot be considered a true reflection of the people’s will.
The prospects for peace will be further jeopardized by any decision by Russia to move forward.
It would exacerbate the already severe effects on the world economy, particularly in poorer nations, and limit our ability to send life-saving help throughout Ukraine and elsewhere.
It’s time to take a step back from the edge.
We must work together more than ever to end this horrific conflict and protect international law and the UN Charter.
Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network
