Provisional Russian Statement to the UN on Article 51 (from CSPAN transcript)

Full text from: https://www.c-span.org/video/?518171-1/un-security-council-holds-emergency-meeting-russian-invasion-ukraine&live=

​​​​I thank the representative of Mexico for her statement and now I shall make a statement in my capacity as a representative of the Russian Federation. Colleagues today, we have had an intensive day from point of view to have discussions of the Ukrainian crisis. Let me repeat what I said this morning at the general assembly. I can only say with regret, taking stock over the day signaled to Kyiv to stop were not heeded. bombed and egged on by a host of states are harboring the illusion that with the benediction of their western sponsors they will be able to achieve solutions. Shelling and acts of diversion on the territories of these reps  recorded today almost 2,000 cases of violations of the cease-fire regime including almost 1,500 explosions. Those living in Donetsk still sheltering in basements. The refugees are still flowing into Russia. You don't want to notice this, repeating the Ukrainian fairy tales those living in Donetsk are all but shelling themselves. It is no surprise it does not seem to affect our Western colleagues. 

Through the whole day of debate today at the General Assembly you have not been able to find one word of compassion or condolences. It is as if these 4 million people for you simply don't exist. We would like to recall the Minsk agreement, violation of which we are being accused of violating in Ukraine, according to declaration of principles of international law, adopted in 1970, they should be fully complied with as states and conduct themselves in compliance with the rights and self-determination of people, representing the people, without distinction of race, creed or color, the whole people living in that territory, end of quote. Today's dwarf government in the Ukraine -- government in Ukraine is not that. Dialogue with the Russian speaking citizens of Ukraine. authorities brandished guns at them. it is more than sufficient, however our western colleagues prefer not to notice this. 

We tried yesterday and today for yesterday to explain to you the logic of the decision made by Russia to recognize the LP R & D PR and focus on peace and security there. However, you don't want to hear this and you don't want to hear it now. Those living in Donbas are pawns in a game of weakening Russia. For us, these people are women, children and the elderly who for eight years have been cowering from Ukraine shelling. a bit of a difference in our approaches. If you do not change the geo-political lens, you will ever understand. They, on whose behalf this decision was made, have not thought about over these eight years simply calling them pro Russian separatists and terrorists. Those are the most important -- the root of today's crisis around Ukraine is the actions of Ukraine itself who for many years has sabotages its obligations under the Minsk package of measures. Last week, there was a hope that Kyiv would rethink and implement what it signed up to do in 2015. For this, first and foremost, they needed direct dialogue with Donetsk. However, they are not ready for this dialogue and steps to grant Donbas a special status as set forth in the Minsk agreement -- with the support of this position from western backers finally convinced us that we simply cannot force those living in the Donbas to suffer more. The provocation against those in Donbas not only has not stopped but has intensified. The leaders of the L PR & D PR turned to us to provide military support in line with bilateral cooperation agreements, agreed at the same time as recognition. This is a logical step which is a consequence of the actions of the Ukrainian regime.

During this meeting, the President of Russia, Putin, spoke with -- made a decision for a special military operation in Donbas. We don't know all of the details today but briefly I would like to inform you that, from his statement, the occupation of Ukraine is not in our plans. The aim of the special operation is to protect the people who for eight years have been suffering genocide from the Kyiv regime and for this, we will aim to demilititarize and degenocide of Ukraine. Also support those and hold accountable those who carried out so many crimes against civilians including citizens of the Russian federation. 

This decision was made in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter and sanction of the Russian Federation and fulfilling the agreement and recognition of the LPR and DPR. We are receiving a lot of information and we will analyze this and we will keep you up to speed with this. Now, I resume my function as President of the Council and I give the floor to the representative of Ukraine.