Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine

Madam President,

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing on this matter.

Madam President,

We find ourselves in a dangerous territory. We have witnessed escalation of this war throughout the past months, which resulted in unparalleled destruction of critical civilian infrastructure and tremendous suffering of the civilian population.

In spring, Russia virtually eliminated Ukraine’s energy generation capacities and the related infrastructure. The outcome is already visible and this will further aggravate the humanitarian situation for millions of Ukrainians during the coming winter months.

At the same time, trends are showing considerably higher civilian casualties, making September, with more than 1400 civilian casualties, the bloodiest month of this year.

The most horrible war Europe has seen in decades, joined by two other major conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, tends to make us immune to surprises, no matter the developments we see every day.

However, even in these grim circumstances, no one could have prepared us for the next step: which is deployment of North Korean army to fight in Europe. Participating in a war of aggression against Ukraine. Let that sink in – North Korean army fighting in Europe for somebody else’s interest. This comes on top of growing evidence of missile transfers from DPRK to Russia, their use in Ukraine and deeply concerning statements by the Russian leadership about DPRK’s nuclear status that are clearly undermining the global non-proliferation regime. The ongoing military cooperation and arms transfers between Russia and DPRK must cease immediately. Resolutions of the Security Council are binding and must be respected.

We condemn this escalation, as it represents a particularly dark turn of events with dangerous consequences for the state of international peace and security.

Madam President,

As a Security Council member coming from the region where this war is unfolding, we found ourselves in a formidable position. We are part of the most powerful body in the world, tasked with upholding international peace and security that is evidently unable to do anything to end the suffering of civilians, unable to do anything about implications for regional and global security.

I will not ask this Council to reflect about the trajectory this war is taking, we are already past that point. A time has come for the Council to ask ourselves how much of the international security architecture, based on the UN Charter, we are willing to sacrifice for allowing this war to drag on. The integrity of the UN and global peace and security are at stake.

Silence is assent. Slovenia will not stay silent. We will concentrate our efforts into preventing further escalation and in achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter.

Thank you.  

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