Russia’s permanent mission to the United Nations has accused UN Secretary-General António Guterres of using “double standards” in condemning the annexation of Ukrainian territories.
“Such a direct attack by the UN Secretary-General on the fundamental right to self-determination, expressed by the people of the regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporijia, is another example of double standards,” the diplomatic mission said.
The Russians accused Guterres of “silence” on issues such as the alleged government repression in eastern Ukraine after 2014, Kosovo’s declaration of independence and the alleged occupation of part of Syrian territory by the United States and NATO, a statement said. statement from the TASS news agency.
“We regret that, instead of acting as provided for in the UN Charter, the Secretary-General has chosen to play a role in influencing the position of United Nations member states before the start, envisioned by Western countries, from the discussion on the issue of referenda.”, the statement said.
The UN Security Council will vote today, at 3 p.m. (8 p.m. in Lisbon), on a resolution condemning referendums in four Ukrainian regions to pave the way for the annexation of these territories by Russia.
The resolution drafted by the United States and Albania, the concrete content of which has not yet been made public, must be rejected, as Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, has a veto right.
On Thursday, Guterres warned Russia that the annexation of Ukrainian territories “will have no legal value and deserves to be condemned”, stressing that “it is not compatible with the international legal framework”.
In a brief statement to the press at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres took a stand against Moscow’s intention to initiate an annexation process, stressing that it is a clear violation of United Nations principles.
Hours earlier, the Kremlin had announced that the four Ukrainian regions that held referendums on joining Russia would be incorporated into the country today.
“At this moment of peril, I must underline my duty as Secretary-General to uphold the United Nations Charter,” Guterres said.
“The UN Charter is clear. Any annexation of the territory of one state by another state as a result of the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law,” stressed the Portuguese.
Guterres also drew attention to the fact that Russia, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, has a special responsibility to respect the principles of the UN Charter.
Official annexation was already expected after the vote in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, whose inhabitants, Moscow claimed, largely supported the formal annexation of these areas by Russia.
Guterres stressed that the so-called “referendums” were held in the occupied regions during the active armed conflict, in areas under Russian occupation and outside the legal and constitutional framework of Ukraine, so “they cannot be called a real expression of the will of the people.” “.
Source: DN
