第11回緊急特別総会（ウクライナ情勢）における石兼大使ステートメント

Mr. President,

First of all, allow me to express, on behalf of the Government of Japan, our sense of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

I had hoped from the bottom of my heart that I would not have to make this statement again in the same General Assembly Hall on the same subject matter under grimmer circumstances.

However, I must stand here to reiterate that Russia’s aggression of Ukraine seriously infringes upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force shakes the very foundation of the international order in Europe, and in every corner of the globe. The series of decisions and acts of Russia are clear and flagrant violations of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Japan condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s acts of aggression. Russia must immediately stop the aggression, withdraw its forces back to Russia, and come back to the path of diplomacy.

In order to achieve this, we should cooperate with each other for the maintenance of international peace and security, pursuant to the duty to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the United Nations in accordance with the Charter.

On the 27th of February, Prime Minister Kishida announced sanction measures such as freezing assets of designated individuals related to the Russian government including President Putin. Also, Japan strongly supports the international effort to remove selected Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system.

Belarus has allowed Russian troops to pass through its territory, and is clearly involved in Russian aggression. Japan strongly condemns this.

Mr. President,

Let us all remind ourselves. We, the people of the United Nations, are at a critical juncture of upholding the rule of law and the purposes and principles of the Charter.

The first thing we can do here is to vote for the resolution.

I thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President,

General Assembly has successfully delivered overwhelming voice of international community, standing up against Russia’s aggression. I call on Russia to heed the call and immediately implement the resolution.

We voted for the restoration of justice in Ukraine and justice for the future in every corner of the world, and not for the exaltation of hatred.

Adoption of the resolution is not the end in itself. Japan is determined to work with others, Ukrainians in particular, to make today’s resolution a reality for the future of humanity.

Thank you, Mr. President.