Statement by Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy at an open VTC of UNSC members on the situation in Yemen
Mr. President,
Again I have to begin my statement with the words of regret regarding the format of this meeting. In the eyes of the global community, us working in front of our PCs looks strange given the sustainable positive dynamic of the epidemiological situation in New York. Nothing bars the UNSC members from resuming the practice of in-person meetings in the SC chamber which meets all the social distancing requirements. We call on our UNSC colleagues to remember that the Council must set an example and also set the tone of efforts to maintain the international peace and security, rather than hide behind a virtual format. We strongly request the Chinese Presidency to show initiative and take the Council back to its traditional modus operandi.
Mr. President,
We thank SESG M.Griffiths and USG M.Lowcock for the comprehensive review of the situation in Yemen that they presented.
We closely follow the acute military and political crisis in the Republic of Yemen, that has lasted for more than six years by now. We are particularly concerned by the situation around Marib. Continuing attacks on the civil facilities, i.a. on the territory of Saudi Arabia, are very worrisome. We strongly urge all parties to uphold the provisions of international humanitarian law, put an immediate and complete end to combat activities that ruin the non-military infrastructure and lead to victims among civilians, and to seek ways to settle the conflict by political and diplomatic means.
In this context, we welcomed the recent proposals of Saudi leadership as to the peaceful settlement of the crisis and called upon the opposing sides to look into those proposals thoroughly. We stated it previously and our position remains the same that the prolonged armed confrontation in the country must end to give way to sustainable stability and national consent.
We remain convinced that comprehensive and lasting settlement in Yemen is possible once the interests of all leading political forces in the country are adequately accounted for. Lifting of sea, air, and land blockade of separate territories would largely contribute to this goal, as well as other urgent steps aimed at improving critical socio-economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen.
We intend to further support the relevant UN efforts and tireless work of Special Envoy Griffiths, encourage President Hadi and the leadership of “Ansar Allah” movement to act constructively and be ready to make a compromise when addressing the existing controversies.
Mr. President,
Humanitarian assistance to the population of Yemen must be a priority track of our joint efforts. We are concerned that a lack of financing impedes implementation of UN programs for provision of basic assistance, including those focusing on food security, access to water, medical services that are highly demanded amidst a pandemic. In this context, we call on the donors to enhance the much needed financial support for UN humanitarian assistance, and remind that provision of such aid must not have a biased character. We are convinced that the problem of SAFER tanker can also receive a decision that would be free of any political motivation. We call on the involved actors, including the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), to take onboard each other’s interests and act in a constructive spirit.
In conclusion, let me emphasize that the process of Yemen’s political settlement directly impacts upon the entire region. For the purposes of de-escalation, we call on our colleagues to engage in a constructive interaction that would promote peace and stability, i.a. on the basis of resolution 598 and the Russian Collective Security Concept that envisages an inclusive and collective approach to the problem-solving.
Thank you.
