UNGA 79th Session of the First Committee regional disarmament and security cluster debate
Statement delivered by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN
New York, 28 October 2024
Thank you, Chair,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. In addition, I would like to make some remarks in my national capacity.
The European security architecture, based on the principles of rule of law and respect for States’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, is being gravely undermined by Russia, who continues to wage the biggest and bloodiest war in Europe since World War II. The illegal and unprovoked war of aggression that Russia continues to pursue against Ukraine is a direct assault against the UN Charter, something that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has a special responsibility to protect.
Russia’s deliberate and systematic actions to destroy the disarmament architecture in Europe are gravely concerning. During last year, Russia halted its participation in the New Start Treaty, withdrew ratification from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and withdrew from the Treaty on the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. On the 25th of September, Putin announced the revision of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, adding to the increasingly aggressive and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric we have heard from the Russian leadership since the start of the aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s blatant lies and imperial and neo-colonial ambitions have led to a dangerous re-emergence of mentality we all thought had remained in the dustbin of history.
Chair,
While Russia is openly undermining European security, it’s important to note they are doing this with the support of other Member States. Recent reports of DPRK’s troops going to fight on Russia’s side in Ukraine are very worrying and constitute a dangerous escalation. Russia’s practice of recruiting cannon fodder from other UN Member States to fight in Ukraine must end immediately. Continued deliveries of ballistic missiles and related equipment from the DPRK and Iran to Russia violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions, endanger regional and international peace and security, and are an attack against the global non-proliferation regime. We call on China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with a particular responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to support ending Russia’s war of aggression, including by ceasing all material and political support to Russia. The reports that Russia is developing attack drones in China for use in its war against Ukraine are highly concerning and would violate China’s pledge not to supply Russia with lethal aid. Last but not least, Belarus must stop its involvement in this war and stop allowing Russian armed forces to use its territory, including for the announced deployment of nuclear weapons.
We note the seven United Nations General Assembly Resolutions condemning Russia’s war of aggression. Threats to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of any State are undermining multilateralism and international law and should never be tolerated.
Chair,
In conclusion, Estonia believes that the European security architecture, formed after the World War II and based on the principles of rule of law, states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, remains valid today and in the future. We strongly reject the notion that any Member State could seek to dismantle or change the security architecture by force or by means of threats, nuclear saber rattling and warmongering. We call upon the UN membership to support Ukraine’s Peace Formula, which is the only viable framework to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on principles of the UN Charter. Finally, holding of any credible discussions on peace in Europe and European security architecture is first and foremost a prerogative of European states themselves, including Ukraine.
I thank you, Chair.
