The UN Security Council met today for a briefing on Ukraine convened by Slovenia and the US. Council members discussed the latest security and humanitarian situation, including the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion on food, energy and nuclear security.

In recent months, the escalating war in Ukraine has caused record high civilian casualties. In addition, critical civilian infrastructure is collapsing due to direct Russian attacks, vessels carrying Ukrainian grain are being attacked, and the battlefields are expanding.

On behalf of Slovenia, Ambassador Žbogar expressed grave concern about Russia’s alleged deliberate poisoning of a Ukrainian river with chemical waste. This could prove deadly for wildlife, potentially endangering the Kyiv region’s water supply, and may amount to ecocide.

Slovenia once again expressed concern over Russia’s ongoing military cooperation with the DPRK, including the emerging evidence of arms transfers in flagrant violation of several Security Council resolutions. In addition, the Ambassador reiterated that a nuclear incident in Ukraine would not only have devastating consequences for the region, but could also have global repercussions. “Full compliance with the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security and the five fundamental principles presented to this Council by the Director-General of the IAEA must be urgently ensured,” stressed Ambassador Žbogar.

He concluded by stressing the urgent need for genuine peace talks with both Russia and Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and international law.

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