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

Thank you very much, Madam President,

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his contribution, and I welcome the participation of Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Finland and the European Union to this briefing.

Madam President,

In the past months, we have been witnessing spiralling violence in the war on Ukraine. Russia’s drones, glide bombs and ballistic missiles continued to systematically eradicate Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. The aerial attacks were intensified during the summer months, causing the highest number of civilian casualties in almost two years. This culminated on August 26 when Russia launched its largest aerial attack since the start of the war with 236 missiles and drones.

Colleagues,

We are witnessing a striking escalation of this war on multiple fronts: civilian casualties are on the rise, critical civilian infrastructure is collapsing, vessels carrying Ukrainian grain are being attacked and battlefields are expanding. The situation is growing worse by the minute, and there are signs of further intensification of the war.

My country is gravely concerned with the recent reports on the alarming damage done to the environment: we take note of the allegations that Russia poisoned Seym River with chemical waste, resulting in over 650 km polluted waters. The river is flowing towards Ukraine and the pollution is endangering the water supply of the Kyiv region, potentially affecting millions of people. This must be further investigated.

Moreover, we have repeatedly raised concern over the ongoing military cooperation between Russia and DPRK, and the emerging evidence of illegal weapons transfers to Russia in flagrant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. Recent reports on the deepening of this cooperation, with the potential involvement of DPRK troops in Ukraine, are adding to the gravity of our concerns. This would represent a particularly dark turn of events with dangerous consequences for the state of international peace and security.

The situation presents a significant risk of the war growing out of control. This danger has been there since the beginning of the war, with the occupation of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, however with the widening of the military theatre, the risks have expanded to other nuclear facilities in the region.

And to echo Assistant Secretary-General Jenča: a nuclear incident would have dramatic consequences for the region and would have global effects. Full respect for the seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security and the five basic principles that were introduced by the Director-General of the IAEA in this Council needs to be urgently ensured. The Security Council has the responsibility to ensure that the existing provisions and norms are fully implemented and – if necessary – strengthened.  We believe that the Security Council has a role to play here, and we are ready to engage.

Madam President,

At this stage, it would be clear to everyone that this war is not a mere low-intensity conflict, where two parties are coming to terms with their differences. It has wide-ranging security, humanitarian, economic and ecological consequences and it will carry a dangerous spill-over potential until it ends. In this regard, we take note of President Zelenskyy’s “Victory Plan” and underline the urgent need for genuine peace talks, with the participation of both Ukraine and Russia, and based on the UN Charter and international law.  

Thank you.

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