this is the second year in a row this gathering, dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflict, is darkened by the shadow of war. an illegal war of conquest, brought without provocation by russia against its neighbour, ukraine. like every nation in the world, the united states wants this war to end. no nation wants this war to end more than ukraine. and we strongly support ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution that deliversjust and lasting peace. but russia alone, russia alone bears responsibility for this war. russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. and it is russia alone that stands in the way of peace because the russians price for peace is ukraine s capitulation, ukraine s territory, and ukraine s children. russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise ukraine without consequence. but i ask you this, if we abandon the core principles of the united states to appease an oppressor, can any member state in thi