Security Council Chamber – 12 February 2024
Full statement delivered by Her Excellency Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the 9546th meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Threats to International Peace and Security (Ukraine):
I thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca and Mr. Sweeney for their briefings.
Nine years ago, the Council adopted Resolution 2202, which called for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, in the hopes that it would prevent us from reaching the point at which we now sadly stand. We meet today to again discuss the ongoing tragedy of the war in Ukraine, a war that has gone on for far too long.
The Minsk Agreements were intended to offer a path for peace. Its inclusion of the critical elements of a ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, the provision of humanitarian assistance and exchanges of prisoners-of-war, among others, would undoubtedly have prevented the tragedy we now witness. While some efforts were made towards their implementation, the unfortunate reality is that many elements were instead violated and undermined.
Despite this reality and the failed implementation of the Minsk Accords, we cannot become resigned to the suffering of the millions who continue to live under constant bombardment, who face an unimaginable humanitarian crisis and who have been displaced both within their homeland and across borders.
Guyana once more calls for an immediate end to this war and reiterates our appeal for a return to a diplomatic process that can bring a just and lasting peace. The use of force in the conduct of international relations does incalculable damage to all parties involved, leaving death and destruction in its wake. It is imperative that there is a restoration of dialogue and respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, by which we are all bound.
The fact that this conflict has escalated to this point regrettably demonstrates that the Minsk Agreements did not achieve the intended results. However, it is imperative that we draw the right lessons from the non-implementation of the Agreements, and not use this unfortunate experience to push unhelpful narratives. There are those that will point to the non-implementation as a failure of diplomacy and will question the utility of dialogue under the threat of international armed conflict. We urge that this type of dangerous cynicism be avoided.
The pursuit of diplomacy and peaceful resolutions to conflict are always a worthy pursuit. Despite the difficulties that we may confront in dialogue with our adversaries, the challenges of negotiation are preferable to the calamity of warfare.
Guyana remains steadfast in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and reaffirms our unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
I thank you.
