Statement at the UNSC Briefing on Ukraine

Statement

Thank you, Mr President.

I wanted to say at the beginning how much the Irish delegation appreciates the messages of condolence we received on the sudden loss of an outstanding Irish diplomat, colleague and friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. May he rest in peace.

Mr President,

I would like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing.

Ireland deeply regrets the decision of the Russian Federation to call for today’s meeting. It has done so, yet again, for no other reason than to promote its spurious claims against Ukraine, and others. 

It is deeply troubling to hear the Russian Federation spreading unsubstantiated, unfounded allegations.

The only so-called proof provided is to point to transparent projects necessary for biosecurity, for human or animal health. Research of the kind carried out by many countries to advance global health, benefitting humankind.

President,

I urge the Russian Federation to cease its campaigns of disinformation and attempts to distract from what is really happening because of its war in Ukraine. 

This behaviour is disturbingly consistent with the Russian Federation’s own track record of using disinformation in multiple multilateral fora to dissemble and deny its activities.

Russian military forces in Ukraine have already demonstrated reckless disregard for nuclear safety and security since the start of their invasion. This pattern of recklessness raises real fears of a significant radiological, chemical or biological accident. 

It is unacceptable to make unfounded accusations against Ukraine, a State Party in good standing to the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). 

President,

The use of chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine would inflict untold additional suffering on the Ukrainian people who have already suffered so much from the actions of the Russian Federation.

Use of these heinous weapons is immoral and illegal, in any circumstance.  There will be no impunity for those who use them.

We urge the Russian Federation not to violate or undermine the essential multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation instruments upon which our collective security depends.

Thank you.

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