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Тексти виступів Постійного представника України при ООН Сергія Кислиці під час цього заходу:
Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN,
at the Side-event: Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure of Ukraine against the Attacks of the Russian Federation during the War
(December 2, 2024, 10.00 – 11.15, CR8, UNHQ)
Excellences, Distinguished Colleagues,
I would like to start with expressing gratitude to co-sponsors of this event, Assistant-Secretary-General Jenča, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and all of you.
As we meet today, Ukraine continues to recover from another strike against our energy infrastructure, already 11th in this year. More than 90 missiles and 100 drones attacked energy facilities across entire Ukraine on 28th November.
Thirteen Ukrainian regions, including the capital city of Kyiv, were cut off electricity, heat and water. As reiterated by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in response to this attack, there are serious concerns regarding Russian forces’ respect of cardinal principles of international humanitarian law.
Russia’s goal is clear – to strip Ukrainians of access to basic necessities to destabilize the everyday life throughout Ukraine. Such actions constitute not only a crime against humanity but also a blatant violation of the Genocide Convention.
That’s why on 24 June the ICC issued arrest warrants for Sergei Shoigu, then Russia’s Minister of Defence, and Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. The warrants allege their responsibility for war crimes, in particular and I quote: “for missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.”
Russia has been trying to crush our energy system since 2022. Each attack causes serious damage and long power outages. However, the efforts invested in protection of the facilities, the courage and dedication of Ukrainian energy workers as well as the assistance, Ukraine received from the partners, help our energy system to survive and remain functioning so far.
It does not mean, however, that the threats, stemming from Russian attacks could be underestimated. Russia does not give up its genocidal attempts.
They have started attacking substations linking Ukrainian nuclear power plants to the grid. If what their mad strategists plan by attacking these substations is implemented, Chornobyl might seem a comparatively small incident. This is not an exaggeration.
In response to these grave risks, IAEA Director General Grossi underscored the extreme fragility and vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the immense danger to nuclear safety.
I would like to remind that in July the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Nuclear Facilities of Ukraine, including the ZNPP, explicitly calling for an immediate cessation of attacks on critical energy infrastructure that jeopardize nuclear safety. This resolution must be fully implemented by Russia.
We should also ensure implementation of points 1 and 3 of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, notably “Radiation and Nuclear Safety” and “Energy Security”.
It is not enough to prepare a technical guide on protection of energy infrastructure from attacks. As you may know, such guide is being presented now in proximity to our event. What is ironic, if not tragic, is that the first violin in this endeavor is played by the same country that attacks Ukrainian energy infrastructure – the Russian Federation. The question about the practical value of this document is rather a rhetorical one.
We encourage the United Nations to focus on responding to real threats. Together, we can strengthen our collective resolve to uphold international law, protect civilians, and safeguard critical infrastructure from future harm.
Let me now show you the slides…
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And now, it is my honor to give the floor to H.E. Mr. Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the UN, for his opening remarks.
Closing remarks by H.E. Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya,
Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, at the
(December 2, 2024, 10.00 – 11.15, CR8, UNHQ)
Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,
As we conclude this discussion, I would like to express my profound gratitude to all of you for your participation and contributions. Your engagement demonstrates the importance of addressing the threats to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and, more broadly, to defending the principles of international law and human dignity.
I am deeply thankful to our co-sponsors and partners who made this event possible. My special gratitude goes to the UN Secretariat for their invaluable support and to Mr. Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General, for attending today despite the short notice. Your presence underscores the importance of this issue on the global agenda.
Today’s discussions have underscored the staggering impact of Russia’s deliberate and systematic attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. These attacks, which aim to create intolerable living conditions for civilians during the harsh winter, are crimes against humanity.
Russia and its representatives must be brought to justice for the numerous war crimes committed in Ukraine, especially against the most vulnerable—women and children. This includes accountability for the terror caused by the deliberate targeting of critical energy infrastructure.
It is particularly cynical that, even as these attacks continue, Russia attempts to whitewash its actions. Today, in the neighboring room, the UNOCT is presenting the “Technical Guide on Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure Against Terrorist Attacks”—a document supported by Russia. This irony cannot go unnoticed – we must not allow such tactics to obscure the true responsibility for the devastation inflicted on Ukraine.
Thank you once again for your solidarity and partnership.
The meeting is adjourned.