Ukraine's representative to UN: Russia must be held accountable for crimes against civilians

Andrii Melnyk, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has told a meeting of the UN Security Council that a just peace for Ukraine is impossible without holding Russia accountable for crimes committed during the war.

Source: Ukrinform

Details: Melnyk said that there is often an argument that, in order to achieve a stable peace, justice should be set aside or at least not emphasised too strongly, as bringing perpetrators to justice could complicate negotiations and put peace at risk.

However, he rejected this view, stating that history demonstrates the opposite: justice and accountability form the foundation of peace rather than an obstacle to it. He referred to the Nuremberg trials and other international tribunals as examples showing that justice helps to end violence and ensure long-term stability.

He stressed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been accompanied by numerous atrocities against civilians in the temporarily occupied territories. Melnyk noted that mass killings, including those in Bucha, forced deportations, torture and sexual violence form part of a deliberate pattern and clearly qualify as crimes against humanity.

Melnyk also drew attention to targeted Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

He said that Russia's actions have left millions of civilians without electricity, heating and water, plunging entire cities into cold and darkness. He emphasised that all those responsible for the crime of aggression, crimes against humanity and war crimes must be held to account.

Melnyk added that there can be no selective justice and no immunity.

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