On the second anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, dozens of foreign ministers in New York called for an end to the aggression. They had come to the United Nations, where the day was dominated by war.
Surrounded by the noise of New York cars on 1st Avenue, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock explains the importance of aid to Ukraine. All this support was worth it every day, “because we were not only able to save hundreds of thousands of people from the occupied territories: 50 percent of what Putin captured at the beginning of this war was able to be liberated again.”
With support from the West, including Germany, Great Britain, Canada and, above all, the USA, Ukraine is defending itself against the Russian aggressor. The Russian war against Ukraine is now entering its third year. And the German chief diplomat promises: “We will continue to work every day to ensure that the people in Ukraine can finally live in peace again and, as a global community, we therefore support Ukrainian President Zelensky’s peace plan.”
This ten-point plan, also known as the peace formula, provides for the withdrawal of all Russian troops, punishments for Russian war criminals, reparations and security guarantees.
No Ukrainian resolution in UNgeneral assembly
In the afternoon, Baerbock stands surrounded by dozens of colleagues in front of the UN Security Council hall. They demonstratively condemn the Russian war of aggression and send a message to Moscow: “We remain committed to the vision of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” explains Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. And: “We “Express our joint support for a first global peace summit.”
Unlike last year, when 141 of the 193 UN members called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw, Ukraine did not introduce a resolution in the General Assembly this year. Out of concern that she might find little support. Diplomatic circles say the mood has changed – especially because of the war in the Middle East. Some countries are upset because Kiev abstained when the General Assembly voted on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. And Arab states in particular criticized the US’s pro-Israel stance. Kiev’s biggest supporter.
There are also accusations that the West has double standards. What British Foreign Secretary David Cameron vigorously rejected on every stage yesterday: “In Ukraine it was simply an invasion by Russia for which there was no justification. On the other hand, Israel has a right to self-defense. What happened on October 7th when “Almost 1,400 people from our own country died in the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust?” So he firmly rejects the idea that there are double standards, says Cameron.
Cameron warns Joining forces Moscow and Beijing
The Brit describes Putin as a neo-imperalist tyrant who believes that might makes right. With a view to the USA, where further aid to Ukraine is currently being debated, he broadens his perspective and warns against Moscow and Beijing joining forces. “If Putin wins,” said Cameron, “it will be celebrated not only in the Kremlin but also by the Chinese leadership. Too many Americans are always thinking about their own security against China. And in this fight it is crucial that Ukraine can defend itself and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
According to United Nations estimates, more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, almost 20,000 injured and thousands of children abducted since the Russian invasion. When Annalena Baerbock spoke about this in the Security Council, the Russian UN ambassador Wassili Nebensja had already left the room – as he had done so often in recent months.