📋 Tender Overview
As the United Nations’ disarmament chief urged just and lasting peace in Ukraine before the Security Council today, its members – meeting again, at the Russian Federation’s behest, on Western arms deliveries to that country – alternately reiterated Kyiv’s right to defend itself, pointed to Moscow’s procurement of arms from third States and called for dialogue ahead of a peace summit that will occur in Switzerland on 15-16 June.
“I reiterate that any transfer of weapons and ammunition must take place consistently with the applicable international legal framework – including, of course, relevant Security Council resolutions,” emphasized Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. Addressing the risk of diversion is also essential, she said, which requires supply-chain transparency as well as cooperation and information exchange between importing, transit and exporting States. Detailing other concrete counter-diversion measures, she also expressed concern over Ukraine’s widespread contamination with explosive remnants of war.
The Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion – launched in violation of international law – “continues to inflict a terrible toll on the people of Ukraine”, she stressed, reporting that 11,126 civilians have been killed, alongside 21,863 injured, since the war began. The actual figures are likely to be considerably higher. “Such human suffering cannot continue,” she underscored, adding: “As I have repeatedly stated, we need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant General Assembly resolutions.”
