Statement by Minister Mr. HAMAMOTO Yukiya, Permanent mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing, Agenda item “Threats to International Peace and Security”
2023/8/17
(As delivered)
Thank you, Mr. President.
I thank USG Nakamitsu and the other briefer for their briefings.
This meeting was called by Russia to discuss increasing Western arms transfers to Ukraine and the undermining of efforts to find a peaceful solution.
Japan finds itself obliged to repeat its position: Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine is the origin of this war. Furthermore, Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports and held the world hostage. We emphasize Ukraine's right to self-defense against Russia’s aggression. The supply of arms to Ukraine is driven by Ukraine’s necessity to protect itself.
Mr. President,
Japan has been stating this same position in the Security Council since January. The support of the international community to Ukraine has not changed since the beginning of Russia’s aggression. The Security Council is discussing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in August, not only because of the immediate development on the ground, but also because the continuing aggression is a matter of international peace and security. We expected meetings on Ukraine to take place at the beginning of this month. In this sense, it is difficult to see a substantive difference between this meeting and other meetings that are scheduled in August.
Mr. President,
Justice must be the cornerstone of any diplomatic endeavor to end this war. Rather than suggesting that support for Ukraine will imperil diplomatic efforts, Russia should immediately withdraw all its troops and military equipment from Ukraine. Russia must uphold Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
I thank you.
I thank USG Nakamitsu and the other briefer for their briefings.
This meeting was called by Russia to discuss increasing Western arms transfers to Ukraine and the undermining of efforts to find a peaceful solution.
Japan finds itself obliged to repeat its position: Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine is the origin of this war. Furthermore, Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports and held the world hostage. We emphasize Ukraine's right to self-defense against Russia’s aggression. The supply of arms to Ukraine is driven by Ukraine’s necessity to protect itself.
Mr. President,
Japan has been stating this same position in the Security Council since January. The support of the international community to Ukraine has not changed since the beginning of Russia’s aggression. The Security Council is discussing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in August, not only because of the immediate development on the ground, but also because the continuing aggression is a matter of international peace and security. We expected meetings on Ukraine to take place at the beginning of this month. In this sense, it is difficult to see a substantive difference between this meeting and other meetings that are scheduled in August.
Mr. President,
Justice must be the cornerstone of any diplomatic endeavor to end this war. Rather than suggesting that support for Ukraine will imperil diplomatic efforts, Russia should immediately withdraw all its troops and military equipment from Ukraine. Russia must uphold Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
I thank you.