Jeffrey Bartos, the U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, expressed concern over the ongoing conflict during a Security Council meeting on Ukraine, calling for an end to the killings and a return to negotiations. He emphasized that this war will only end through negotiation and not through military victory by either side.
Emphasis on the Importance of Negotiations
Bartos stated, "The sooner the two countries reach an agreement, the fewer people will be killed on both sides." He also highlighted Washington's constructive role in this matter and announced that the United States is committed to continuing mediation in the trilateral negotiations.
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The Russian Ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, also criticized Ukraine during this meeting, stating that Kyiv's actions have led to increased tensions. He referred to a 40-day operation which he claimed aimed to force Ukraine into peace but only resulted in heightened tensions.
Violence and Civilian Casualties
While Bartos called for the protection of humanitarian workers, Nebenzya pointed to civilian casualties resulting from Ukrainian attacks, stating that eight thousand Russian civilians have been harmed since the beginning of this year. He criticized Kyiv for placing military facilities in residential areas, endangering civilian lives.
Andriy Melnyk, the Ukrainian Ambassador, also referred to civilian casualties in his country, stating that Russian attacks on the civilian population have reached an unprecedented level of violence. He added that many of the victims have been his friends, and that 400 civilians are killed or injured each week.
However, Melnyk claimed that information regarding civilian casualties in the Russian Federation has not been independently verified and is therefore unreliable. He also mentioned recent Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and Moscow's efforts to make Kyiv uninhabitable.
The UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sarah McIntosh, specifically condemned Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, stating that these actions may constitute a war crime. She urged Moscow to adhere to its commitments under international law.
The French Ambassador, Jean-Dominique David, also referred to Russia's ruthlessness in targeting the daily lives of the Ukrainian people, stating that Moscow's goal is to create a humanitarian disaster. He emphasized that France continues to support Ukraine's right to defend itself.
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