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Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie says she has lost touch with reality a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
“While we celebrate this solemn occasion, the Russian Federation’s continued aggression against Ukraine and its illegal war of aggression are escalating,” Jolie told the UN General Assembly.
She was speaking in New York City on the eve of the anniversary of the invasion of Russia, before a vote by all UN member states on whether to denounce Moscow and urge them to end the war.
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Canada is one of 38 countries calling for peace to submit a resolution to hold Russia accountable for the “devastating human rights and humanitarian consequences” of the ongoing war.
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This vote follows two similar, but not unanimous, votes passed by the General Assembly. Jolie argued that Russia did not respect the UN Charter and was abusing its veto power as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
“Russia has made it very clear to us by her words and actions that she does not respect this parliament and the members represented here,” she told parliament.
“You are spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories online in our country and in this conference room.”
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Jolie said Russia must end the conflict to end the growing suffering in countries around the world as the cost of living rises as a result of the war and people seek refuge.
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She also condemned Putin`s national address Tuesday, in which he announced he was ending some of Russia`s co-operation with the United States on nuclear safety. Putin has also argued Ukraine`s democratically elected government is actually an illegitimate neo-Nazi regime.
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Joly said it was “reckless” for Putin to leave the nuclear treaty, and said his speech amounted to “recycled absurdities” about the war.
“President Putin is entirely responsible for this war, and his latest address proves that he remains unmoored from this reality,” Joly said.
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Her speech comes at a time when developing countries have lamented feeling forced to choose sides between Russia`s invasion and the West`s opposition to it.
At last weekend`s Munich Security Conference, countries like Colombia argued that the conflict is diverting funding and attention away from the climate crisis, while others such as Namibia saidthe focus should be on ending the violenceinstead of assigning blame.
Joly told her global peers Wednesday thatthe vote isn`t about choosing sides in a broader geopolitical turf war.
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“It is about choosing peace _ a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” she said.
“It is about choosing rules over chaos and clearly stating that no one, today and in the future, can disregard the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
At another event earlier Wednesday held by UN states that support Ukraine, Joly said Ottawa is preparing to tackle psychological and infrastructure needs in that country when the conflict ends.
“There`s no option but victory for Ukraine. “Canada will support Ukraine’s fight for freedom wherever possible.”
© 2023 The Canadian Press
