Credit: Unsplash
This morning, diplomats from several Western countries and allies in the East convened in Geneva to address the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The focal point of the meeting was a remote speech delivered by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the UN Human Rights Council, presenting Russia’s perspective on the invasion.
Lavrov reiterated many of the same arguments about the invasion previously articulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, characterizing it as a “special military operation” aimed at ousting “neo-Nazis” from positions of power in Ukraine. Lavrov also criticized the EU for what he described as a “Russophobic frenzy,” citing sanctions imposed on Russia and the provision of military aid to Ukraine.
In response to Lavrov’s remarks, numerous diplomats in attendance, displeased with Russia’s justifications for its unprecedented aggression against Ukraine, stood up and exited during Lavrov’s speech. Approximately 100 diplomats representing about 40 countries left in protest.
Dozens of ambassadors and diplomats walk out while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s pre-recorded video message is played at a U.N. Human Rights Council session at the United Nations office in Geneva on Tuesday. https://t.co/4DxiCIUvZP
?: Kristoffer Jonsson via Reuters pic.twitter.com/q1F4nbJkwv
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 1, 2022
“Minister Lavrov was giving his version, which is false, about what is happening in Ukraine and so that’s why we wanted to show a very strong stance together,” stated Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.
“This Russian war of aggression will have profound implications for human rights in Ukraine and Russia, and the leaders of Russia will be held accountable,” articulated US envoy to the Human Rights Council Michele Taylor.
