Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the UN Security Council briefing on Threats to international peace and security

Thank you, Madam President.

I wish to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing. I also take note of the statement by Mr. Hoh.

Madam President,

Let me focus on three messages that I would like to convey at today’s meeting:

Firstly. Appearances matter and we see this meeting as yet another attempt by the aggressor to portray itself as a victim. My country is willing to discuss arms transfers at length, however we believe there is just one point that needs to be made: arms which are being supplied to Ukraine are there for its self-defence against an aggressor which is waging an illegal and immoral war against it. This cannot be emphasized enough, on a day of another massive Russian aerial attack that hit hard civilian, especially energy, infrastructure. We condemn the attack in the strongest possible terms.

Secondly. As underlined by USG Nakamitsu, any transfer of weapons must occur within the applicable international legal framework. While we discuss arms transfers in support of self-defence of a sovereign country, rest assured we will call out illegal arms transfers supporting the aggression against Ukraine.

Madam President,

A number of countries, including my own, are responding the call to aid Ukraine with one sole purpose: helping Ukraine to protect its citizens and its territory. My country’s aid to Ukraine was delivered in support of Ukraine’s right to self-defence, enshrined in article 51 of the UN Charter, and in line with our international obligations. On the other side, there is a growing body of evidence that Russia is procuring arms to feed its aggression against Ukraine from DPRK in contravention of multiple Security Council resolutions.

Thirdly and finally. Peace must return to Ukraine and this Council needs to step in and take up its responsibilities. As we have stated numerous times, the Council is the most important tool at our disposal for the maintenance of international peace and security, in particular when united. We need Russia to stop pushing the rest of the Council away with its belligerent rhetoric and unconstructive attitude and make trustworthy steps towards peace.

I thank you, Madam President.

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