Ukrainian ambassador and diplomats in numerous countries organized a walkout on Tuesday as a foreigner from Russia minister addressed the conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
The diplomats stood up up and left the room when Sergei Lavrov’s pre-recorded video message started playing as a mark of demonstration against that of Moscow invasion of Ukraine, according to a journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP) in bedroom.
Ukrainian Ambassador Yevheniia Filipenko was among the many diplomats who stood out at the beginning of the playing video leaving the room almost empty.
Outside they gathered in of face of a Ukrainian flag and burst into loud applause that could be heard in the room where Lavrov’s speech continued, with only a handful of ambassadors of countries including Yemen, Syria, Venezuela and Tunisia yet to be heard.
“It’s important to show a gesture of solidarity with our Ukrainian friends,” said French Ambassador Yann Hwang.
Russia’s top diplomat was due to travel to Geneva to address both the United Nations-related disarmament issue body and the United Nations Human Rights Council in nobody on Tuesday, but canceled at last minute, with Moscow blames the “anti-Russian sanctions” imposed by the EU.
Russia has become a international pariah since the launch of a full-climb invasion six a few days ago.
“Russian Blind Attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure are war crimes and violations of the Rome Statute”, Ukraine’s foreign policy minister said at the disarmament meeting before Lavrov spoke.
“Russian aggression is a global menace “, he warned, insisting that “the answer must also be global.”
In son speech, Lavrov blamed Kyiv for crisis, warning he was trying to assemble nuclear weapons.
“I can assure you that Russia as a responsible member of the international community … take all necessary measures to prevent the emergence of nuclear and other weapons technologies in Ukraine,” he said.
