UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres, speaking directly to camera at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine: “President Putin: stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance.”
Albania’s ambassador says that this isn’t a conflict between Russia and the West, but “between Russia and international law, Russia and the UN Charter."
.@USAmbUN says she spoke with Biden just before this SC meeting and conveys his support to Ukraine. She then runs through the list of justifications that the US said Russia would give — and how all of them have come to pass
if this was a Model UN conference, this is when the crisis director would be standing in the back of the room as the US finishes her speech to deliver this news
https://twitter.com/paulsonne/status/1496679080586063874?s=21
British ambassador ends her speech to the Council: “There is still time for reason, restraint and deescalation. But that time is now."
Fascinating to watch this meeting and see the diplomats deliver their speeches even as Putin announces the military will begin its operation in E. Ukraine. I’m left wondering how long we go before one of the diplomats references this new development...
The French ambassador wraps his speech without mentioning Putin’s address. On to the Irish ambassador, who says in Ireland “we know the value of peace. We think one state using or threatening the use of force to expand its territory of get its way is no solution."
India’s ambassador says that the situation is “in danger of spiraling into a major crisis.” (lolsob) Also still using the “all parties” language that the US shaded. Nothing about Russia’s aggression. Again.
(it took a second for the translation of the UAE’s ambassador to kick in, several diplomats could be seen holding their earpiece and shrugging at each other before the English simulcast began)
And there it is, Norway’s ambassador is the first to reference Putin’s “special operation” and calls on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine and away from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders
China’s ambassador says that the situation in Ukraine has reached a “critical juncture.” The “door to a peaceful solution is not fully shut, nor should it be.” Stresses China’s commitment to territorial integrity annnnnnd that’s it thank you for coming to his TED talk
Brazil’s ambassador calls on all parties not to take actions that inflame tensions. He also urges all parties to withdraw their military forces from the conflict in E. Ukraine. Another boilerplate pre-write that’s been overtaken by events.
The fact that the UN Security Council diplomats are still reading speeches printed on paper is truly wild. It’s like the delay and disconnect between reporting on Twitter and on TV taken to an extreme level
Kenya’s ambassador speaking, references the “ruin of war that has been experienced by most states sitting around this table.” He says that he hopes that in future days we’ll see de-escalation in Ukraine. 😬
This UNSC meeting is the literal definition of dramatic irony at this point. All of us watching are aware of Putin’s actions but many of the diplomats remain seemingly oblivious.
It also highlights how highly scripted UNSC meetings tend to be. Like the US Senate, it’s a rarity that actual live debate breaks out. Instead, everything is decided beforehand and all that’s left is to read out their prepared speeches.
“If there were an invasion” it would be in violation of UNSC resolutions, the Mexican ambassador says.
Russia’s ambassador, aka the president of the UNSC this month, is up. And in a truly baffling situation, he ALSO is not referencing Putin’s announcement so far. He -does- lament that there’s been no condolences today towards the Russian speakers suffering in E Ukraine 
Russian ambo: to the West the people of Donbas are simply pawns when to Russia they are men, women and children cowering under Ukrainian assaults.
Finally!! Russian ambo: during this meeting, President Putin made an announcement about a special operation in Ukraine. “We don’t know all the details today.” He says that this decision was made under the provisions of Art 51 of the UN Charter
Ukraine’s ambassador: before I deliver parts of my speech “most of it is already useless as of 10 pm NY time” let me read from the UN Charter. “3 minutes ago, the Russian ambassador confirmed that his country had declared war on mine”
Ukraine’s ambassador says that “48 minutes ago, your president declared war on Ukraine.” He calls on the Russian ambo to say on the record now that troops aren’t bombing Ukrainian cities. “You have a smartphone. You can call Lavrov.”
Ukraine’s ambo: it is too late my dear colleagues to talk of de-escalation. It is too late. Shall I play the video? Do not interrupt me.
Russia: then do not ask questions, give your speech.
Russia: then do not ask questions, give your speech.
Ukraine during its speech accused the Russian Federation of sneaking into its position since there’s nothing in the UN Charter about successor states. He also called on Russia to turn over the president’s gavel if it can’t uphold the charter.
Germany is up, the ambassador condemns Russia’s operation in Ukraine. “Now Russian military is moving into Ukrainian territory. … We urge Russia to end its military action against Ukraine immediately and withdraw its troops”
(Russia’s ambo by the way said in response to Ukraine that “he will not wake up Lavrov” and that he has all the information that the rest of the members have. He also said “this is not a war, it is a special operation”)
.@USAmbUN says that a resolution will be tabled tomorrow in response to Putin’s “total disdain” for the UN Security Council with his invasion of Ukraine
UK’s ambo: “This is a grave day for Ukraine and for the principles of the United Nations.” This council “must do all it can to stop the war and uphold the charter.”
For those who are wondering why the UN won’t be able to take action against Russia, it’s because the system was designed that way. Stalin remembered all too well the League of Nations expelling the USSR and wouldn’t join the UN if that was possible
msnbc.com/opinion/why-un…
msnbc.com/opinion/why-un…
France also condemns Russia’s actions and also notes Putin’s “disdain” for the UNSC. “We call on all members of this council to support” the pending resolution.
Ukraine: “As I said: relinquish your duties as the chair. Call Lavrov. Call Putin. Stop the war. … There is no purgatory for war criminals ambassador. They go straight to hell.”
And with that, without thanking the Ukrainian ambassador, the Russian amb declares that there are no more speakers on the list and adjourns the meeting.
See y’all back here tomorrow for the drama of Russia violating the charter (again) when it vetoes a Chapter VI resolution despite being a party to the conflict.
The big question: will China, India, and Brazil join Russia in voting no? Abstain? Or (unlikely) vote yes.
The big question: will China, India, and Brazil join Russia in voting no? Abstain? Or (unlikely) vote yes.
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