Explanation of vote by Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Dmitry Polyanskiy after the UNSC Vote on a Draft Resolution on UNIFIL
Mr. President,
The Russian Federation voted in favor of the UNSC resolution drafted by France on extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
When taking this decision, we were guided primarily by the position of the Republic of Lebanon as it is the country hosting peacekeepers in its territory. We would like to recall that this position was set out in detail in a letter from Lebanon’s Foreign Minister to the UN Secretary-General dated June 27, 2025. In this regard, we note the efforts by the French penholders of the file, who have tried to take into account Beirut's priorities, which is a key condition under the guiding principles of peacekeeping.
At the same time, we regret to note that the UNSC resolution failed to fully reflect the interests of the Lebanese people. From the very outset, one delegation, everybody knows who I’m referring to, despite the highly ambiguous situation “on the ground,” insisted on the immediate withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission, which was carrying out the mandate entrusted to it by the Security Council. And although this delegation was unable to convince the UNSC members that it is inexpedient to maintain the presence of the “blue helmets” in Lebanon, the result fell short of the expectations of most members of the UNSC.
Nevertheless, we deemed it possible to support the proposed solution to this absurd situation, which ultimately satisfied our Lebanese colleagues.
We certainly do not dispute the fact that any UN peacekeeping mission is temporary by design. This is clearly stated in the very name of UNIFIL, which has the word “interim.” Nevertheless, we would like to recall the long-standing and still very much pertinent efforts of peacekeepers who, since 1978, have been monitoring the ceasefire and maintaining security along the “blue line” between Lebanon and Israel. The UN Interim Force has performed their duties conscientiously and selflessly, sometimes in conditions that pose risks to their health and threaten their lives.
The Russian Federation has consistently and unswervingly supported the activities of peacekeepers, who play a key stabilizing role today amid continued dangerous tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border, from where we daily receive reports of IDF’s strikes and violations of Lebanese airspace.
In this regard, we assume that the planned extension and gradual withdrawal of UNIFIL, as provided for in the resolution adopted today, should not create any “security vacuum” in the south of Lebanon. And such risks remain in both the medium and long term, as we can judge by the belligerent attitude of the Israeli Government and its destructive actions in the region, carried out with the support of our US colleagues.
We believe it is crucial that UNSC Resolution 1701 be fully implemented prior to the withdrawal of the UN contingent from Lebanon. After all, once the UNIFIL mission is over, responsibility for the situation in the area of separation will fall squarely on Israel and Lebanon, as stated in the resolution. And this should not trigger conflict between them.
Thank you.
