From: slider@anashram.com

STATEMENT BY JEAN-NOËL BARROT
MINISTER FOR EUROPE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL

New York, 29 April 2025

Ministers,
Ladies and gentlemen,

My European partners and I would have preferred not to have to convene
this Security Council meeting on Ukraine, but Russia’s high-intensity war
of aggression continues to ravage Ukraine, as reiterated by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, with drastic humanitarian consequences in violation of international law and in violation of the
Charter of the United Nations: our Charter.

How did this happen?

It started with the aspirations of the Ukrainian people to freedom and democracy, which Russia sought to repress in the 2014 Maidan Uprising.

Ten years ago, a fragile ceasefire was agreed in Minsk.

Three years ago, Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, a unilateral, brutal, unjustifiable war of aggression that must end now. A
war that was not a defensive war, and that was not inevitable. A war that
was not justified, and continues to be unjustifiable. It is quite simply
the expression of an overt revisionist plan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On 24 February this year, the Security Council adopted an American
resolution, Resolution 2774, and I wish to cite it as a reminder: “the Security Council [...] implores a swift end to the conflict”.

What has Ukraine done since 24 February?

On 9 March, Ukraine accepted the principle of a total and unconditional ceasefire, in accordance with Resolution 2774, showing its good faith and sincere desire to move towards peace.

And what has Russia done since 24 February and the adoption of Resolution
2774?

It has continued its war crimes and crimes against humanity by striking infrastructures and targeting civilians, women and children, and
humanitarian workers.

While it is totally violating international law, Russia would have us
believe that is in within its right and that it may lay claim to the
Ukrainian territories in the name of the principle of self-determination.
But it is a diversion; it is false. What is true is that Russia is
violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Russia is attacking its neighbour, and in this war of aggression, it is violating international law and international humanitarian law. Everyone can see
that, and everyone knows it.

And today, the only obstacle now to the ceasefire, the only obstacle to
the implementation of Resolution 2774 adopted by the Council on 24
February, is Vladimir Putin.

So why oppose the implementation of this resolution in this way?

Vladimir Putin’s Russia most likely wants to push Ukraine to surrender.
But France, like many other members of this Council, is opposed to this,
and will continue to oppose it.

First, because it is a security challenge for Europe and France, which
Russia seeks to destabilize.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, France has already been targeted.

Since the beginning of the conflict, our country, a supporter of Ukraine,
has been targeted by Russian cyber attacks originating in the Russian
military intelligence services, GRU, carried out by threat actor APT28.
They targeted a dozen French entities including public services,
enterprises, and sports organizations involved in the Paris 2024 Olympic
and Paralympic Games. We condemn these cyber attacks in the strongest
terms. They are unworthy of a permanent member of the Security Council and contrary to the framework set by the United Nations. They must cease immediately.

But if France, like other members of this Council, is opposed to any form
of surrender by Ukraine, it is not only for the sake of Europe’s and France’s security, it is also for the sake of global peace and security. Because such an outcome in this war would enshrine the concept of “might
is right”, and inevitably lead the world into a frenetic arms race, and
most certainly proliferation.

I believe that quite simply we must return to some of the elementary
principles of our Charter, which I would once again like to cite to
refresh the memories of all members of this Council. In Chapter I, Article
2, Paragraph 4, it states that: “States shall refrain in their
international relations from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any
other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations (...)”.

So let’s get back to simple principles: aggressors must not be rewarded at the victim’s expense; borders are intangible; and States, no matter which, are sovereign.

I therefore call on President Putin to say to him:
Cease fire!
Cease fire!
Cease fire!

That is when peace will become possible again.

A just and true peace.

A peace that complies with the Charter of the United Nations and
international law.

A peace that respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security
of Ukraine.

We can succeed.

That is why, while commending the mediation efforts undertaken by the
United States of America and at the highest level, France wants this
Council to unanimously demand a total, immediate and unconditional
ceasefire, and by that I mean that weapons be laid down.

Thank you.

https://onu.delegfrance.org/ukraine-statement-by-jean-noel-barrot-at-the-un-security-council

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