'Putin chose war': UK accuses Kremlin of rejecting peace at UN
Photo: James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN (x.com/UKUN_NewYork)
Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine just days after talks in Istanbul. Russian president Vladimir Putin ignored a path to peace and chose war, says James Kariuki, the UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
The UK ambassador noted that Russia carried out two large-scale attacks on Ukraine last week.
“Over three days, Russia launched over 900 drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities, reportedly resulting in the deaths of 30 people and injuring a further 150,” he said.
Kariuki recalled that on the night of May 24, three children were killed in Ukraine as a result of a Russian attack: 8-year-old Stanislav, 12-year-old Tamara, and 17-year-old Roman. The British diplomat emphasized that such actions are a stark reminder of the urgent need to end this war. Russia’s attacks are not only continuing but intensifying.
“As OHCHR has verified, in the first three months of this year alone, there have been 2,641 civilian casualties. That’s nearly 900 more than during the same period in 2024, and over 600 more than in early 2023,” Kariuki added.
He stated that the rising number of killings by Russia is an insult to the shared values of human dignity and peace, which President Putin claims to uphold but continues to violate.
“Putin’s priorities are demonstrated by his timing. These attacks were launched days after talks in Istanbul, in which Russia, yet again, refused to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Presented with another opportunity for meaningful progress towards peace, Putin chose war,” emphasized the UK ambassador.
He called on Moscow to comply with international law, including the UN Charter, and to stop killing civilians.
Massive attacks on Ukraine
On the night of May 25, Russia carried out a massive strike on Ukraine, using 298 drones and 69 missiles of various types. Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 45 missiles and neutralized 266 drones.
13 regions of Ukraine came under attack, including Kyiv. As a result of the Russian terror, more than 10 people were killed, and dozens of Ukrainians were injured. Among the victims were three children from the Zhytomyr region.
Also, on the night of May 24, Russia launched a massive drone and ballistic missile attack on Kyiv.
