Weapon transfers must align with international legal framework: UN disarmament official

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Friday highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, urging states to adhere to international law when transferring weapons and ammunition.

"The escalating attacks on Ukrainian regions have led to more civilian deaths and injuries as well as massive destruction of civilian infrastructure, including energy, health, and education facilities," said Adedeji Ebo, deputy to the UN's High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, during a session at the UN Security Council.

Ebo also addressed the ongoing military support to Ukraine, pointing out the provision of "heavy conventional weapons such as battle tanks, combat aircraft, and missile systems" by various states.

He called on all countries to comply with international law and Security Council resolutions when transferring any weapons and ammunition.

"Reports related to the use of cluster munitions and widespread contamination with mines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine are deeply concerning," he added.

Ebo reaffirmed the UN's commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict, stating, "It is time to put an end to this conflict."

Meanwhile, Russia's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, criticized the West's role in supplying Ukraine with weapons, arguing that it prolonged the conflict and caused significant human suffering.

Citing peace talks held in Istanbul, Türkiye, in March 2022, Polyanskiy said: "In Istanbul, there were some initial documents that were very beneficial for that country (Ukraine). However, a number of Western leaders, and in particular the former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, made sure that (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy would reject this agreement because, with the assistance of Western weapons, he could inflict a defeat upon Russia and get the country's borders back to 1991."

Polyanskiy also condemned Ukrainian authorities for passing a bill that prohibits religious organizations with ties to Moscow from operating on Ukrainian territory, paving the way for banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood accused Iran, North Korea, and China of supplying Russia "with the material support it needs to wage" war on Ukraine.

Wood also accused China of exporting "nitrocellulose, machine tools, microelectronics, optics, and UAV and cruise missile technology" to Russia for use against Ukraine.

"China cannot have it both ways. It cannot claim to be for peace and want better relations with Europe while at the same time fueling the most significant threat to European security since the end of the Cold War," he said.

China's envoy to the UN, Geng Shuang, countered Wood's remarks, emphasizing that "China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear."

"As a matter of fact, the United States still maintains trade and economic relations with Russia," he said.

Shuang underscored the importance of promoting peace talks and finding a political settlement to the Ukrainian crisis.