Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing, Agenda item "Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine"

I thank Ms. Rosemary A DiCarlo for her briefing.  

It is truly regrettable that we have to repeat what we and other Member States have said many times before in various occasions. However, we are compelled to articulate our position once again.

Japan condemns in the strongest terms Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which is a clear and flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter by a permanent member of the Security Council, which is supposed to bear heavy responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Russia must immediately stop its war of aggression, withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from Ukraine, and respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders in accordance with the series of General Assembly resolutions and the ICJ order on provisional measures.

We also condemn Russian attacks against civilian infrastructure and cities across Ukraine. Innocent civilians in Ukraine, including children, have been exposed to strikes even during the New Year holidays. Destruction of energy infrastructure has seriously aggravated the humanitarian situation in the harsh winter. Any continuation of these attacks is completely unacceptable.
 
We recall that indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilian populations constitute a war crime. We underline that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, including sexual and gender-based violence. The international community must hold those responsible to account in accordance with international law.

We strongly condemn the transfer of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from Iran to Russia. We would support efforts by the UN Secretariat to investigate the potential usage of Iranian drones by Russia in its war against Ukraine, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

We also strongly condemn Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and its seizure and militarization of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). We fully support the work of the IAEA to ensure a nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP.

Japan reaffirms its commitment to play its part in shielding vulnerable countries that are severely impacted by the repercussions of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s weaponization of energy and food.

We welcome the agreement by all parties to continue cooperation on the "Black Sea Grains Initiative" and reiterate our respect for the efforts of UN Secretary-General Guterres and Türkiye in this regard. We strongly urge the relevant countries to continue to steadily implement this initiative.

Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force shake the very foundation of the international order based on the rule of law and must not occur at any corner of the globe.   Member States reaffirmed such principles at the open debate yesterday. Japan renews our full resolve, to continue our assistance to support Ukraine’s defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

We will stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes.