Sir Keir Starmer has attacked Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, accusing the nation of “treating [its] own citizens as bits of meat to fling into the grinder”.
Talking on the United Nations Safety Council in New York – and sat reverse a Russian consultant – the British prime minister accused the state of committing “the greatest violation of the [UN] charter in a generation”.
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Sir Keir mentioned: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal. It threatens global security. And it has caused colossal human suffering.
“Over 35,000 civilians have been killed or injured, six million pressured to flee and nearly 20,000 Ukrainian youngsters forcefully deported – kidnapped, to place it bluntly.
“Six hundred thousand Russian soldiers have also been killed or wounded in this war. And for what?”
The prime minister questioned how Russia might “show its face in this building”, including: “The UN Charter, which they sit here to uphold, speaks of human dignity – not treating your own citizens as bits of meat to fling into the grinder.”
He referred to as for “accountability”, telling the council: “There must be accountability. Aggression cannot pay. Borders cannot be redrawn by force.
“Russia began this unlawful warfare. It should finish it – and get out of Ukraine.”
Sir Keir additionally reiterated his requires ceasefires within the conflicts between Israel, Lebanon and Gaza, and in Sudan, saying there wanted to be “political solutions that can break repeating cycles of violence”.
“In this moment of deepening conflict, the world looks to this council more than ever, to provide leadership for peace, preserve our collective security and protect the most vulnerable,” he added.
“The United Kingdom will always play its full part in fulfilling that responsibility.”
