Russia Urges End to Ultimatums as Nebenzia Addresses UN Security Council on Ukraine
United Nations, The Gulf Observer: Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia has accused Ukraine and its Western supporters of prolonging the conflict and escalating attacks against Russian territory, during a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine.
Nebenzia criticized European countries for convening the meeting, arguing that states that had supported Ukraine militarily were now presenting themselves as advocates of peace while maintaining that they were not parties to the conflict.
Addressing the Council, the Russian envoy also sharply criticized the Ukrainian government’s domestic policies, alleging restrictions on political dissent, religious freedoms and the Russian language. He accused Kyiv of rewriting history and pursuing what he described as Russophobic and xenophobic policies.
Nebenzia cited Ukraine’s decision to impose sanctions on the Russian animated series “Masha and the Bear” as an example of what he characterized as the suppression of Russian cultural influence.
Turning to the military situation, the Russian representative accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Russia, describing such attacks as terrorism.
He claimed that between August 10 and 16, Ukrainian attacks resulted in 475 civilian casualties, including 69 deaths and 406 injuries, and alleged that thousands of rounds of ammunition were directed at civilian targets on Russian territory.
Nebenzia highlighted reported attacks in Nizhnekamsk, Novorossiysk, the Rostov Region and other areas, alleging that residential areas, public transport, medical facilities and emergency personnel had been targeted.
He further accused Ukraine of posing risks to the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), citing alleged drone attacks and an incident involving a bus stop used by plant personnel.
The Russian envoy also criticized Kyiv over the planned visit of International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi to the ZNPP, claiming that Ukraine’s position prevented the visit from taking place as scheduled.
Nebenzia accused Western countries of encouraging further escalation by supplying weapons to Ukraine, arguing that attacks on Russian territory were being carried out with Western assistance.
He maintained that the Russian Armed Forces continued to hold the initiative on the battlefield and claimed that Russian forces had captured seven settlements between August 16 and 19 in areas including the Donetsk People’s Republic, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions.
According to the Russian representative, Moscow had also continued strikes against Ukrainian military infrastructure and supply capabilities, including facilities and vessels allegedly involved in transporting military cargo.
Nebenzia said Russia would not accept any agreement that compromised what Moscow considers its security interests.
He rejected calls for a ceasefire that, in Russia’s view, could provide Kyiv with an opportunity to regroup and rearm, arguing that meaningful political and diplomatic dialogue would require what he described as recognition of realities on the ground and an end to ultimatums, threats and attacks on civilians.
The remarks represent Russia’s position on the conflict and were delivered during a Security Council discussion focused on Ukraine.
