“We have to make the Russians sit down at the table of negotiations and the only way to do it is by strength”, Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya said on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian diplomat was replying to questions after statements to the press on the occasion of “1000 Days of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine” where he read a joint statement on behalf of a group of countries and the European Union, which was also co-signed by Cyprus. Permanent representatives of allied countries were present at the press stakeout.
Stressing the necessity of unity among Ukraine’s allies, Kyslytsya said, “We have to be united to prevent the war.”
When questioned about nuclear threats, Kyslytsya dismissed the notion that Russia’s leadership would resort to such measures, saying, “I don’t believe that anyone in the Russian leadership is brave enough to commit suicide.”
In the joint statement the countries note that 1000 days of war “is a tragic reminder of the need to remain resolute in ensuring that international law prevails, not just in Ukraine but wherever it is challenged”, while also stating that “this ongoing aggression remains a flagrant violation of the principles of the UN Charter that all Member States have committed to uphold”.
They reaffirm their “strong commitment” to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and reiterate that “the attempted illegal annexation of parts of sovereign territory of Ukraine by Russia has no validity under international law and does not form the basis for any alteration of their status”.
Among other things, they reiterate the “demand that Russia ceases its use of force against Ukraine and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”
“We stand firm and united in our resolve for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, consistent with the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States”, they also note.
The statement was signed by Cyprus, Ukraine, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federal States of), Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union.