Statement by Mr. IRIYA Takayuki, Minister for Political Affairs, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing, Agenda item “Threats to International Peace and Security”)

 
Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank Deputy to the High Representative Mr. Adedeji Ebo and other briefer for their briefings.

Mr. President,

Russia has repeatedly requested Security Council meetings on the same topic in an attempt to distract the world’s attention from the undeniable fact that it is Russia that started the unprovoked war of aggression.

Russia should be concerned about what its own weapons are doing in Ukraine before worrying about international support for Ukraine to respond to Russia’s aggression. Russia itself, the aggressor, should know very well why the international community is supporting Ukraine in the first place, including the provision of arms. This is to assist Ukraine in exercising its right of self-defense from aggression. We would like to emphasize that the transaction in violation of Security Council resolutions and the necessary support for Ukraine are completely different two things. 
Mr. President.

No support should be given to a State that is violating international law and the UN Charter. It would be particularly unacceptable if support is rendered in violation of existing Security Council resolutions.

All Member States should refrain from supporting Russia’s aggression either directly or indirectly.

In this regard, as we released in the Joint Statement by Japan/ROK/US Foreign Ministers on 26 October, arms transfers from North Korea to Russia, several of which we have confirmed have been completed, and which directly violate relevant Security Council resolutions, are absolutely unacceptable. They would not only exacerbate the situation in Ukraine, but also severely undermine the non-proliferation regime which we all must value and uphold.

In addition, we are deeply concerned about the potential for any transfer of nuclear- or ballistic missile-related technology to North Korea, which would further threaten the peace and stability of the region as well as across the globe.

We call on North Korea and Russia to abide by their obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions and immediately cease all activities that violate them.

Mr. President,

Threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible.

We join the deep regret expressed by the Secretary-General for the decision by Russia on November 2^nd this year to promulgate and put into force a law to revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

We reiterate that Japan deeply deplores this decision as it goes against the international community’s longstanding efforts toward the entry into force and universalization of the Treaty.

As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan is strongly committed to international efforts towards realizing a world without nuclear weapons. Bringing the CTBT into force is exactly for this purpose and it must be achieved without further delay.

Mr. President,

It is Ukraine that is the country defending itself against an unprovoked aggression, which is a serious violation of  the UN Charter. That is why we are repeatedly calling on Russia to withdraw immediately and unconditionally.

Our steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine’s fight for its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity will never waver. We take additional steps to support Ukrainians in their pursuit of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that will uphold all the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and the prohibition of the use of force.

I thank you.