The meeting is called to order. The agenda is adopted. I have received a letter from the representative of ukraine to the u. N. , requesting that his excellency, mr. Volodymyr zelenskyy, president of ukraine, be invited to participate via video teleconference in todays meeting, in accordance with rule 37. Would any member wish to take the floor on this matter . I gave the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation. Thank you, mr. President. Our delegation of objects to the virtual participation of the president of ukraine, zelenskiy, in todays meeting. We would like to explain our objection. We are not opposing the participation of the president of ukraine or his representative in the meeting. I will repeat once again for protocol and for those who will try to distort our possession, we do not object to the participation in this meeting. However, this participation must begin person, he must be physically present in the Council Chamber. These are the rules that govern the work of the console. This is not about politics, purely a procedural matter. It is also a matter of respect for the members of the console and for the consul as a body. Indeed, when the world was facing the pandemic, we collectively decided we would continue working virtually. But all of our meetings via video teleconferencing were informal meetings. Then after returning to the Council Chamber after the peak of the pandemic, we decided that the council would resume its normal working patterns, which meant a return to the normal procedure. In other words, if members of the council are here in this room, other members must be present here as well. Mr. Zelenskiy has already spoken to the consul twice. Each time we expressed our negative view of this in writing. The western members of the consul explained and assured us in writing, including the president that invited the president of ukraine, that this was an exception that would not create a precedent. A precedent is not created after a first or second time, but a third time is no longer exception. We would like to remind those numbers of counsel who presided or will preside on the consul that we have already encountered such cases. We can understand making a few exceptions when we had just returned to the chamber after the pandemic, when it was still preventing the head of state from traveling. However, this year, our presidency as well as other president s did not allow highranking representatives of the Member States to speak under rule 37 fire video teleconference. Why should there be double standards on this matter . Why should heads of state of other countries on the council of agenda be subjected to discrimination . This recalls the situation with International Humanitarian assistance, when people forgot helping others in other parts of the world, or the double standards on refugees and migrants in europe when refugees from ukraine are greenlighted in every european country. While refugees from africa and other regions find themselves facing barriers. We cannot agree to make an exception for one country and one person. The meeting was announced one week in advance and the president had the opportunity to travel to new york instantly see zelenskyy meeting foreign delegations around the country and even posing for photo shoots or glossy magazines. He has also appointed the head of the ukrainian delegation at the 77th session of the General Assembly, possible only through personal participation. From this, we can draw the conclusion that there are no restrictions to the president s movement. We also know that the minister of Foreign Affairs of ukraine has an actively traveling abroad. Moreover, today in this room, we see secretary general Antonio Guterres who recently traveled to ukraine and visited several cities there. A repeat once again that what we are objecting to here is not the participation of the head of ukraine, but rather his participation via vtc specifically and we ask the president to put this matter to a procedural vote. I thank the statement where the representative of the Russian Federation. Are there other members who wish to take the floor on this matter . The representative of albania. Thank you very much mr. President. We listened to the arguments put forward by the delegation of russia, we disagree with them. Let me ask lane, we have discussed this issue in the past and here we are again. Unfortunately since the situation in ukraine has not changed, has not improved. We agree that in the postpandemic situation, participation under rule 37 should be an exception. You are faced with such a situation since it democratically elected leader of a sovereign country, a member of the u. N. , cannot leave his country for reasons beyond his control. We all know what the reasons are. The rules have explained in detail the reasons for grounding the u. K. And president s ability to address the Security Council virtually. Allow me to reiterate that the justification for this exception remains unchanged from the times when the Council Agreed that the incident should or could address the consul via vtc. It was so in april, in june, and sadly, now. Ukraine is at war and foreign invasion. When the full military attack on a country, ukraine, remains ongoing, with curfews imposed on various cities because of that threat, the Security Council cannot reasonably demand that the president travels to new york if he wants to participate in a session. It is therefore legitimate that we fully understand that in such circumstances, the situation in ukraine requires president zelenskyy to be there. This is a unique and exceptional situation at this moment in the world and for this consul as well. We therefore strongly support the participation of president zelenskyy via vtc and invite other members to vote in favor. I thank you. I thank the representative of albania for their statement. Are there other members who wish to speak . In view of the comments made by the Council Members and the request by the representative of the Russian Federation, i propose to put to the vote the following proposal. To extend an invitation to his excellency mr. Volodymyr zelenskyy, president of ukraine, to participate via video teleconference in todays meeting, in accordance with rule 37 of the consuls rules of procedure. Ill show put the proposal to the boat now. Will those in favor of the proposal to extend an invitation under rule 37 of the consuls divisional rules of procedure, to allow zelenskyy to participate via videoconference please raise their hand . Against . Please raise your hands. Abstentions . Please raise your hands. The result of the vote is as follows. 13 votes in favor. One vote against. One abstention. The proposal to invite his excellency mr. Volodymyr zelenskyy, president of ukraine, to participate in todays meeting via vtc has been adopted. I now invite i will give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation. Thank you, mr. President. We regret that members of the council have spoken out against complying with the rules. We can understand the logic of the western backers who are prepared to sacrifice the entire ukrainian people to cover up kyivs crimes, but we are disappointed that other members who when they come to the consul, undertake the obligation to uphold the rules of the consul today, have contributed to the erosion of its very foundations and actresses. We call on all Member States in the u. N. To take note and despite our position, we will hear from zelenskyy because we also have something to say to him as well. We hope he will remain until the conclusion of the meeting. We shall see whether or not mr. Zelenskyy will be able to come to the 77th session of the General Assembly as the head of the ukrainian delegation and not as the represented of albania has claimed. I thank the statement by the representative of the Russian Federation. I now invite president zelenskyy to participate in todays meeting via vtc. In accordance with rule 39 of the consul toko provisional rules and procedures, i invite miss rosemary dicarlo, undersecretarygeneral for political and Peace Building Affairs to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the council for regional rules and procedure, i also invite his excellency, cahrges des affaires. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 on the agenda. I am honored to invite the secretarygeneral his excellency mr. Antonio guterres. I give him the floor. Mr. President. President of, excellencies, today marks the third and tragic milestone. Six months since russias february invasion of ukraine. During these devastating period, thousands of civilians have been killed and injured, including hundreds of children and countless others have lost family members, friends, and loved ones. Countless violations of humanitarian law committed with no accountability. Millions of ukrainians have lost homes and worldly possessions, becoming refugees. Humanitarian needs continue to rise rapidly, with millions of people in need of assistance and protection. As needs skyrocket, it is imperative that humanitarian access in ukraine reach all people who require assistance no matter what a live. Mr. President , the consequences of this senseless war are being felt far beyond ukraine. We are seeing new vulnerabilities emerge in the Global Environment already worn out by conflict, inequality, pandemicinduced economic crisis and climate change, with a disproportionate impact on developing countries. The acceleration of already high food, fertilizer and food prices have triggered a Global Crisis that could drive millions more into extreme poverty, magnifying malnutrition while threatening to raise the humanitarian caseload to new highs. Vulnerable communities are grappling with the costofliving crisis, the worst in a generation. High commodity and transportation costs. Mr. President , the undersecretarygeneral will brief the consul on the conflict in ukraine both inside and outside the countries over the past six months. As i mentioned on monday, i want to take this opportunity to provide a brief update on my recent travel to ukraine. I would have liked to have given the same yesterday based on my experience in discussions about zaporizhzhia, but unfortunately i was with a plan that was impossible to change at such a short notice. My visit was an important opportunity to follow up on the landmark deal that has brought a measure of hope, especially to developing countries and millions of honorable people that in the global food crisis, some of them on the edge of famine. I can report that the initiative signed in in stumble in july is progressing well, with dozens of ships sailing in and out of ukrainian ports, loaded with 700 20,000 metric tons of grain and Food Products. This would not have been possible without the constructive approach of those in ukraine and russia and the efforts of the government in kyiv. During my visit, i met with ukrainian president zelenskyy and turkish president are broken. I thank them for their continued engagement to support the initiative to get ukrainian Food Products and fertilizers to those in need. I was filled with emotion visiting the port of odessa and instant will. On my visit to odessa, i went aboard a carrier. Why . It was being loaded with about 10,000 metric tons of wheat. It was deeply moving to be in the shape and see wheat pouring in. Even if in a limited way, the port, which has been paralyzed for months, is slowly coming to life, thanks to the initiative. In istanbul, i saw a chartered shape, the brave commander. It was probably flying a u. S. Flag with its cargo dusty and for the horn of africa, where millions are at risk of famine. I then had the opportunity to walk up the long and narrow gangway of the ssi invincible, having to keep up ukrainian grain in another port. It will carry one of the largest hauls of grain leaving today. More than 50,000 metric tons. A few months ago much of this would have been hard to imagine. We are seeing a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved even in the most devastating context where we put people first. What i saw was the more visible part of the solution. The other part of this package deal is increasing access to ukrainian fertilizers which are not subject to sanctions. It is critical that all governments and the private sector corporate to bring them to market. Together with the team led by rebecca greenspan, i will continue my intense context for that purpose. In 2022, there is enough food in the world. The problem is uneven distribution. But if we dont stabilize the fertilizer market in 2022, there simply will not be enough food in 2023. Many farmers around the world are already planning to reduce areas for cultivation for next season. Getting much more food and fertilizer from ukraine and russia at reasonable cost is vital to calm Commodity Markets and lower prices for consumers. I once again commend the parties for their engagement in this process. I also renew the call i made for a massive scaling up of support for developing countries getting hammered by the global food crisis. The shipment of grain and other foodstuffs is crucial, but it will not mean much if countries cannot afford them. Developed countries and International Financial institutions must do more to ensure that developing countries can fully capitalize on the opportunities of the black Sea Grain Initiative. Mr. President , despite progress on the humanitarian front, fighting in ukraine shows no signs of ending, with new potential areas of dangerous escalation appearing. Ever present in my mind and in my discussions on ukraine, zaporizhzhya and others. I remain concerned about the situation in and around europes Largest Nuclear power plant in zaporizhzhya. The warning lights are flashing. Any actions that might endanger the physical integrity, safety, or security of the Nuclear Plant are simply an acceptable. Any further escalation of the situation could lead to selfdestruction. The security of the plant must be insured, and the plant must be established as your civilian infrastructure. In contact with the iaea, the u. S. Secretary has assessed that the logistic capacity to support any iaea admission to the zaporizhzhya Nuclear Powerplant from kyiv, provided both russia and ukraine agree. I welcome expressions support for such a mission. Mr. President , i am deeply disturbed by the allegations of violations of International Humanitarian law and violations or abuses of human rights related to the armed conflict. International humanitarian law protects prisoners of war. The United NationsHuman Rights Monitoring Mission in ukraine and the independent commission on inquiry in ukraine continue to monitor, document and report the investigation of alleged violations. Work is also ongoing to deploy a Factfinding Mission to look into these events on july 29. This mission must be able to freely conduct its work and analyze information. It is imperative that the mission is safe, secure and has unfettered access to relevant places, and relevant evidence without any limitation. Mr. President and excellencies, on this 31st anniversary of ukraines independence, i wish to congratulate the ukrainian people. The people of ukraine and beyond need peace, and they need it now. With line it is in line with the u. N. Charter and with International Law. I thank you. I thank the secretarygeneral for his introductory remarks. I now give the floor to miss decarlo. Mr. President , on february 23 2022, this chamber had this chamber heard impassioned pleas to avoid a war in ukraine to no avail. To this day there is no end to the conflict triggered by the Russian Federation. As we meet, the heaviest fighting is concentrated in the eastern donbass region, in zaporizhzhya, and in the northeast, but virtually all corners of ukraine are affected and no one is out of reach of missile strikes. At the same time, several attacks conducted mainly with drones have also been reported in the autonomous republic of crimea, and the city of sevastopol, ukraine, occupied by the Russian Federation since 2014. Civilians are paying a heavy price in this war. During the past 181 days, the office of the High Commission for human rights has recorded 13,560 civilian casualties. 5614 killed, and 7946 injured. These figures are based on verified incidents. Actual numbers are higher. The majority of civilian casualties were caused by his closely weapons with wide area effects. The use of these weapons in and around Populated Areas has predictable and devastating consequences. To date, we have documented damage and destruction of 249 medical facilities and 350 educational facilities. Actual figures may be higher. The indiscriminate shelling and bombing of Populated Areas, killing civilians and wrecking hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure are actions that may amount to war crimes. Mr. President , we continue to receive reports of human rights relations. Arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of civilians including local authorities, journalists, civil rights activists and other civilians continues. Unhcr has documented cases of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of civilians the Russian Federation and affiliated armed groups and nongovernmental controlled territory. Ohchr has also recorded arrests, and other cases that may amount to enforced disappearance. 14 victims of enfor