Belgian PM addresses UN: "no room for neutrality" in Ukraine war

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo lashed out heavily at Russian "aggression" and "war crimes" in Ukraine. No member state should remain impartial in this matter, he said. "In this conflict there is no room for neutrality."

The UN was created after World War II to "preserve future generations from the scourge of war", as its charter states. 77 years later, with "a founding member state like Russia trampling on principles like territorial integrity and national sovereignty" and "unleashing a war that reminds us of Europe's darkest hours", the organisation is challenged to fulfil its vocation, De Croo argued.

Recent threats of nuclear war were "much more reminiscent of medieval barbarism than of Russian grandeur", De Croo said.

"Everyone in this room, every country, will one day be asked: What did you do to stop this? What did you do to protect the people of Ukraine? Did you look away, or did you act? There is no room for neutrality in this conflict", De Croo declared. In any case, the prime minister left the Belgian position in no doubt. For instance, recent threats of nuclear war were "much more reminiscent of medieval barbarism than of Russian grandeur".

The Belgian prime minister insisted that all serious crimes in Ukraine must be investigated and prosecuted. "There is no room for impunity. Not for the butchers of Yushchenko and certainly not for the leaders in Moscow who make the decisions and bear the ultimate responsibility."

(BRV)

"Everyone in this room, every country, will one day be asked: What did you do to stop this?", said Belgian PM De Croo. © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE