Remarks to the Press by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia before UNSC briefing on the situation around the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant
Q: There is a dispute between Russian and Ukraine who did this [blast at the Kakhovka Power Plant]. Should the Security Council mandate the Secretary-General to set up an inquiry?
A: We will be speaking about that. We wanted an inquiry on many things, for example Bucha or Nord Stream, but it never happened. This should not repeat this time. I will speak about it when I make my statement.
Q: What kind of inquiry could be set up?
A: To investigate what really happened. To us it is absolutely clear. But I already see a coordinated information (or rather disinformation) campaign in the press and by Western officials saying that Russia did it without even trying to think qui prodest. Why would we do it? Besides, Ukrainians were threatening to ruin the dam long time, including officially. They were saying it openly to the press. I will cite it today too.
Q: Do you want the SG though to set up an inquiry?
A: I will say that we would like for UN to not repeat the mistakes of Bucha and Nord Stream.
Q: In terms of Russian-controlled areas that have been flooded. Are you going to let the UN agencies and humanitarian teams into those areas? So far, they are not allowed in the Russian-controlled areas.
A: They are allowed provided they enter from the right territory. They simply refuse to go from the Russian Federation to the Russian Federation. If they come from the Rostov region of the Russian Federation to the Donetsk People’s Republic which is now territory of the Russian Federation, it is fine. But they never volunteered. Besides, now we are at a stage when we have to rescue the people. It’s really an emergency.
