In New York on Wednesday, 20 September, President of the European Council Charles Michel pleaded for international unity in order to put an end to the war in Ukraine.
“Ukraine is a crime scene. [...] At this crime scene, we also have [...] witnesses—all of us around the world—and all of us sitting right here—the witnesses in this Security Council”, he explained in a speech during a United Nations Security Council debate on Ukraine.
“What have we done about this crime? What have we done about this aggression? What have we done as one of the permanent members attacks its neighbour? What have we done as it wields its veto power [...] against each of us, [...] against the core principles of the UN Charter?” wondered the president of the European Council.
He notably denounced the deportation of children, which he described as an “attempt at cultural genocide”, as well as Russia’s withdrawal from the grain initiative and the bombing of silos.
“A tragic crime is unfolding before our very eyes. And we are witnesses, all of us. We must stand strong by the side of the attacked, especially right here in the Security Council”, pleaded the president of the European Council.
Mr Michel felt that “powerful and responsible nations” could not turn a blind eye to the crimes committed in Ukraine “because we all share a responsibility”. In his opinion, it is a “responsibility to end war, a responsibility to work for peace [...]. A just peace that respects the UN Charter and its core principles, the territorial integrity of each sovereign nation”. The president of the European Council warned that a just peace would never last if the crimes went unpunished.
Mr Michel addressed China in particular. Beijing warning Moscow against using nuclear weapons was welcomed by Mr Michel, who called on Beijing to go further. “Let’s join forces to persuade Russia to end this criminal war that’s hurting so many. Let’s join forces to convince Russia to respect the principles of the UN Charter”, he pleaded.
Poland pulls away from Kyiv
While Mr Michel reiterated in his speech that the EU stands firmly by Ukraine so that it can defend itself and that the EU would remain by its side as long as it takes, Poland announced on 20 September that it would halt further arms deliveries to its neighbour in the midst of a grain dispute. “Poland is only carrying out previously agreed supplies of ammunition and armaments. This includes those resulting from the contracts signed with Ukraine”, Polish government spokesman Piotr Müller explained to news agency PAP. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)