Statement and response by the representative of the Russian Federation A.Belousov on the motives of the procedural vote on taking up the Russian draft resolution on INF in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to comment on the results of the vote if you permit.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, we now see the picture, which does not give rise to surprise or regret. Most of the countries who abstained were active proponents of nuclear disarmament. A significant part of the countries who voted against stood for the preservation of the treaty on medium and shorter-range missiles. Their position is unclear. And, I am referring to those who abstained or voted against.
The Russian Federation has attempted to send a serious signal to the U.S. political circles on the danger of the course that now has been taken by the current administration. We believed that this initiative would be supported by all sensible parties including the participants in this room. Unfortunately, I have to recognize that expectations were futile. Therefore, I should state that if the next year when the United States withdraw from the Treaty and start the uncontrolled buildup of its nuclear potential we will confront a totally different realities. And the procedural issues over which we have been fighting for more than two days we would seem such miserable and insignificant that we will regret about the decision taken to they.
Once again on behalf of the Russian Federation I express my deep regret that the proposal on a new resolution that had no other different purpose than to prevent such a negative scenario of developments, which is properly speaking the purpose of diplomacy. We as diplomats must fulfill our sacred duty to promptly and without delay react to all what is happening in the world and try if possible to prevent the negative developments.
Unfortunately, today we lost this opportunity. Nevertheless, the Russian Federation will continue to work with the Member States who support us in order to convince the U.S. to take the constructive position and continue the INF dialogue and abstain from building up its nuclear potential that was announced two days ago by President Donald Trump/
Naturally, we will address directly the General Assembly and potentially the Security Council if the things go bad and the U.S. withdraws from the Treaty, but this does not remove the responsibility of the states who cowardly did not support our proposal today.
Thank you.
After the statement of the U.S. representative.
Mr. Chairman,
My sharp remark is due to the uproar in the room. We face a really serious problem. There is nothing ridiculous that Russia took a serious stance to this problem. I did not offend anyone in my statement. I simply asked what was so funny about it. This is my first comment.
Second. The USA contends that it has presented its concerns to Russia for over five years. Russia has made the same claims on the same reason since the year 2000. They are trying to escape these claims.
Third. Recently at our meeting the USA alleged that Russia is preparing to war. Yes, Russia is preparing to war and I can confirm it. Yes, we are preparing to protect our Motherland, our territorial integrity, our principles and our people. Yes, we are preparing to such a war but we have serious differences from the USA. Linguistically this difference consist in just one word, both in Russian and English –the Russian Federation is preparing for the war and the war is being prepared by the United States of America. That is the fact.
Otherwise why the US would need to withdraw from the treaty, build-up its nuclear potential and adopt a new nuclear doctrine which lowers the level of nuclear arms use.
That is the question for all of us.
