Ukraine's decision to block the adoption of a commemorative resolution by the UN Security Council dedicated to late Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin is "beyond good and evil", says Russian FM Sergey Lavrov.
“I know how the UN works. I believe that [Ukraine’s] permanent representative would not do this on his own. This means that he was ordered to do it,” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is quoted as saying in a Sputnik report.
“This goes against Christian values. It’s beyond good and evil. Thanks to the current Ukrainian authorities, however, we are accustomed to the fact that someone in their country treats Russians, and anyone who refuses to dance to the pipe of neo-Nazis, precisely like that,” Lavrov added.
Ukraine, which is chairing the UN Security Council this month, has cited “lack of precedent” as the reason for blocking a commemorative UN Security Council resolution for Vitaly Churkin. As a result, only a press statement was released and published.
If in explaining its decision, the Ukranian Foreign Ministry meant to imply that former UNSC ambassadors didn’t have commemorative resolutions passed after their death, then it is clearly missing the difference in circumstances.
Vitaly Churkin was not only the longest-serving ambassador in the UN Security Council but “a diplomatic giant” who “stood out among all the other 193 ambassadors,” as stated by UK’s Ambassador to the UN Matthew Raycroft.
The longest-serving ambassador died unexpectedly while on active duty, this has never happened before in the history of the UNSC, and if not for anything else (including Churkin’s enormous accomplishments), this reason alone warrants a special commemorative resolution.
Earlier today, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wroteon her Facebook that this decision is “the essence” of the current Ukrainian authorities.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also commented that Ukraine’s behavior is “not at all as important as the loss that Russia’s diplomacy had suffered.”
Russian ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin passed away on Monday, February 20, in New York. Churkin had served as Russia’s permanent representative to the UN and the Russian representative in the UN Security Council from April 2006. The diplomat would have turned 65 on Tuesday, February 21.
US President Donald Trump has issued condolences over the death of Russia UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin, saying the diplomat played a “crucial” role in working with the US to tackle global security challenges.
“President Donald J. Trump was saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin,” a statement released by the White House said, calling the Russian official “an accomplished diplomat.”
The announcement noted that despite different approaches on a number of issues, Churkin had played a “crucial” role in countering challenges to international security.
”While American officials sometimes disagreed with their Russian counterparts, Ambassador Churkin played a crucial role in working with the United States on a number of key issues to advance global security. The President offers the condolences of the American people to the Russian people and government.”
Argentina’s ambassador to the United Nations, Garcia Moritan, said that Vitaly Churkin’s professionalism had helped to avoid many disagreements at the UN Security Council (UNSC).
"There [at the UNSC] was more agreement than disagreement, and I think that was due to Vitaly’s ability to negotiate over the 10 years of [his] work at the UN,” Moritan said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.
Following Churkin's death, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said, "I did not have the honor of working with Vitaly for very long, but Vitaly's diplomacy will be long remembered."
"He could spot even the narrowest opportunities to find a compromise. Having spent the early part of his career in the United States, Vitaly also recognized the value of closer ties between our two countries," Haley said.
Vitaly Churkin, who served as Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations since 2006, died suddenly while at work in New York, on Monday.
Trump was elected to end the era of foreign interventionism, he was elected because Hillary Clinton’s anti-Russian war mongering lost votes and never resonated with middle America, he won because he said that one cannot ‘kick the hell out of ISIS’ without allowing President Assad to govern his country.
... on the international stage, he must work to build new alliances and this requires the tone of Donald Trump the board member rather than Donald Trump the flamboyant salesman.
If he takes this approach, he may find that he has more friends overseas than in the msm and Congress. Unlike many of his strident opponents in America, the world, including and especially both Russia and China are willing to give him a chance. He must cultivate this opportunity.
Intellectual elites, as a rule, tend to be individuals who are out of touch with society, the real feelings of ordinary people and the needs of all people They also have a tendency to profess hatred of religion whilst they themselves act as deities on earth. Such an attitude is an insult to tradition, history and culture.
vor 2 Tagen - US-Senator Lindsey Graham hat Russlands Außenminister Lawrow in der ... „ 2017 wird das Jahr, in dem der Kongress Russland in den Arsch tritt.“ ... Signale der neuen US-Regierung in Richtung Moskau gegeben. ... andererseits kritisiert seine Regierung das Verhalten der Russen in der Ukraine-Krise. "Außenminister Lavrov durfte dann zumindest als letzter der prominenten Gäste des Samstagvormittags auch noch aufs Podium. Er bezeichnete die NATO als „Institution des Kalten Krieges im Denken und im Herzen“. Seine viel zitierte Formulierung einer „Post-West-Weltordnung“, vielleicht angeregt durch die Formulierung im Tagungsprogramm „The Future of the West: Downfall or Comeback?“, verband er allerdings mit der Hoffnung, dass das Völkerrecht dann endlich beachtet wird. Und am Sonntagvormittag konnte der russische Politiker Kosachev auf einem Podium zu Syrien darauf hinweisen, dass neben ihm zwar u.a. ein Vertreter der Syrischen Nationalkoalition, aber keiner der syrischen Regierung saß. Beim vorigen Podium, einer Debatte nur unter US- Senatoren, hatte aber bereits Senator L. Graham seine Überzeugung zum Besten gegeben, dass 2017 das Jahr sei, „wo wir den Russen in den Hintern treten müssen“." Gudrun Haas München, den 21.02.2017
Newsletter Nr. 7 – Eindrücke von der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz 2017
Der Botschafter Russlands bei den Vereinten Nationen, Witali Tschurkin, ist am Montag im 65. Lebensjahr in New York plötzlich gestorben. Der herausragende Diplomat ist durch seine scharfen Äußerungen zu diversen politischen Problemen bekannt. Nachstehend einige markante Zitate Tschurkins:
„Wozu haben Sie Flugzeuge in die Zone geleitet, wo Kampfhandlungen geführt wurden? Die Passagiere der malaysischen Boeing konnten nicht wissen, dass es bei Ihnen einen bewaffneten Konflikt gibt. Auch die malaysischen Luftfahrtbehörden konnten letztendlich nichts von Ihrem bewaffneten Konflikt wissen. Aber Sie wussten das bestens. Warum haben Sie das getan? Aus Gier oder aus anderen Erwägungen heraus? Warum haben Sie Aufzeichnungen der Gespräche Ihrer militärischen Fluglotsen bislang nicht vorgelegt? Das ist Straflosigkeit. Haben Sie jemanden dafür bestraft, Herr Klimkin? Wurde jemand in der Ukraine dafür bestraft?“ (Tschurkin im Juli 2015 in einer Sitzung des Weltsicherheitsrates in einem Kommentar zu Äußerungen des ukrainischen Außenministers Pawel Klimkin, der Russland den Boeing-Absturz und die Unterstützung der Volkswehr im Donbass ein weiteres Mal zur Last legte).
„Ich weiß nicht, von welcher Stelle Sie zu tanzen beginnen. Aber unsere Verhandlungen werden zu einem weiten Themenkreis geführt und nicht von Kiew diktiert.“ (Tschurkin im Mai 2014 in einer UN-Sitzung zur Äußerung eines ukrainischen Vertreters, wonach die Frage der Rückgabe der Krim offen bleibt und „wir von dieser Stelle aus tanzen werden“.)
„Das, was im Weltsicherheitsrat im August 2014 geschah, erinnert mich an das ‚Königreich der Zerrspiegel‘, denn einige Ratsmitglieder waren nicht daran interessiert (zu wissen), dass im Osten der Ukraine friedliche Einwohner sterben und dass sich dort eine humanitäre Katastrophe anbahnt. Aber sie waren darüber besorgt, dass Russland Menschen, die beschossen werden, humanitäre Hilfe erweist.“ (Tschurkin im August 2014 in einer Sitzung des UN-Sicherheitsrates in einer Diskussion zur Ukraine-Krise.)
“Was meine Weigerung betrifft, die ‚Komfortzone zu verlassen‘, wie Sie sagten, so haben Sie völlig recht. Nach acht Sitzungen des UN-Sicherheitsrates zur Situation in der Ukraine und auf der Krim (sechs davon fanden vor laufenden Fernsehkameras statt) fühle ich mich wirklich recht komfortabel, weil die Wahrheit allmählich ans Licht kommt. Wenn Sie darauf anspielen, dass ich unbequeme Fragen nicht beantworten will, so sollten Sie sich daran erinnern, dass ich im Jahr 1983 in der Nationalen Kathedrale in Washington gesprochen hatte. Dies geschah zwei Wochen nach dem Abschuss eines südkoreanischen Verkehrsflugzeuges. Dann machte ich Aussagen im Mai 1986 im US-Kongress, nach der Havarie im AKW Tschernobyl, ganz zu schweigen von Hunderten weiteren Auftritten in Medien und Livesendungen. Also kann ich jedem erklären, was es bedeutet, ‚die Komfortzone zu verlassen‘“. (Tschurkin im März 2014 zur Äußerung der CNN-Journalistin Christiane Amanpour, die ihm vorwarf, ein Interview mit ihr zu verweigern.)
„In diesem Zusammenhang muss daran erinnert werden, dass in der Verfassung der Vereinigten Staaten solche bemerkenswerten historischen Worte stehen: ‚Wir, das Volk‘… Das Volk der Krim hat seinen Willen beim Referendum durchaus konkret geäußert.“ (Tschurkin am 2. Februar 2017 in einer Sitzung des Weltsicherheitsrates zur Erklärung seiner US-amerikanischen Kollegin Nikki Haley, wonach die Krim ukrainisch ist und an Kiew zurückgegeben werden muss.)
„Bringen Sie die Malwinen zurück, bringen Sie Gibraltar zurück, bringen Sie den von Ihnen konservierten Teil Zyperns zurück, bringen Sie den Chagos-Archipel im Indischen Ozean zurück, den Sie in einen riesigen Militärstützpunkt verwandelt haben. Dann dürfte Ihr Gewissen möglicherweise reiner werden und Sie würden auch andere Themen ansprechen können.“ (Tschurkin am 2. Februar 2017 im Weltsicherheitsrat zu Anschuldigungen des britischen Vertreters Matthew Rycroft, die Ukraine-Krise verursacht zu haben.)
„Bräuchten wir eine Predigt, würden wir in die Kirche gehen, bräuchten wir Gedichte, würden wir ins Theater gehen … Legen Sie bitte wenigsten einen Beweis vor oder belassen Sie Ihre Erzählungen für einen Roman, den Sie möglicherweise künftig verfassen werden.“ (Tschurkin am 27. Oktober 2016 zu Äußerungen von UN-Vizegeneralsekretär Stephen O’Brien, der Russland Bombardements in Syrien zur Last legte und dabei aus einem Gedicht des schottischen Dichters Robert Burns zitierte.)
„Ich kann Ihnen versichern, sehr geehrte Kollegen, und ich glaube, dass sich mehrere darüber im Klaren sind: Wäre Nadeschda Sawtschenko unter ähnlichen Bedingungen nicht in Russland, sondern in den USA festgenommen worden, wäre ihr Schicksal prädestiniert und traurig gewesen. Sie hätte diese Welt nie wieder sehen können.“ (Tschurkin am 6. März 2015 zur Verurteilung der ukrainischen Kampfpilotin Sawtschenko in Russland, der Moskau Beihilfe zum Mord an zwei russischen Reportern im Donbass zur Last gelegt hatte.) https://de.sputniknews.com/politik/20170220314627009-tschurkin-tod-beste-zitate/
Vitaly Churkin was one of the wisest voices in international diplomacy. His voice will no longer echo in the halls of the United Nations. Articulate, polite yet commanding, wise yet affable, he oversaw some of Russia’s and the world’s most important events in a position he occupied since 2006.
Standing next to some of his colleagues, he often looked like a titan in a room full of school children.
His death, a day before his 65th birthday, is a tragedy first and foremost for his family, friends and colleagues. It is also a deeply sad day for the cause of justice, international law and all of the principles of the UN Charter which Churkin admirably upheld in the face of great obstacles.
His death however raises many uncomfortable questions…
Here are 5 things that must be considered:
1. A Macabre Pattern Has Emerged
Beginning in 2015, there were several deaths within the Russian Diplomatic corps and a special Russian Presidential adviser.
–LESIN
First there was Russia’s RT founder and special adviser to President Putin, Mikhail Lesin. He died in November of 2015 in his hotel room. Reports said that he appeared discombobulated during his last sighting before he died. Later it emerged that he died of a blunt head trauma. Drinking was blamed, but many questions were left unanswered.
–MALANIN
Earlier last month, Andrei Malanin, a Senior Russian Diplomat to Greece was found dead in his bathroom. The causes of death remain unknown.
–KADAKIN
Just last month, Russia’s Ambassador to India, Alexander Kadakin, an always prestigious role, died of a heart attack, although no one was aware of any previous health issues.
–KARLOV
In December of last year Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey was assassinated by a lone jihadi gunmen in an art gallery. There was no effective security as the killer simply walked up to Ambassador Andrei Karlov and shot him multiple times in the back.
–CHURKIN
Vitaly Chirkin is the highest profile member of Russia’s diplomatic corps to die in recent years.
2. A Motive For Foul Play?
Each of the recently deceased Russian Ambassadors were high profile targets for miscreants and criminals, whether state actors, mercenaries or fanatics.
Lesin was a instrumental in the creation of RT, a news outlet which has come under constant attack from the western establishment.
Malanin had overseen a period of warming fraternal relations between Greece and Russia at a time when Greece is feeling increasingly alienated from both the EU and NATO.
Karlov is said to be responsible for helping to facilitate the rapprochement between Presidents Erdogan and Putin.
Kadakin oversaw a period of renewed tensions between India and Pakistan at a time when Russia was trying to continue its good relations with India whilst building good relations with Pakistan.
On the 31st of December, 2016, Churkin’s resolution on a ceasefire in Syria passed in the UN Security Council after months of deadlock. The resolution is still in force.
Anyone who wanted to derail the diplomatic successes that the aforementioned men achieved for Russia would have a clear motive to extract vengeance.
3. Who Stands To Gain?
In the matter of Karlov, any derailment of restored Russo-Turkish relations would be good for those happy for Turkey to continue her support of jihadists in Syria rather than moving towards accepting a Russian and indeed Iranian brokered peace process which respects the sovereignty of Syria as Russia and Iran always have, but Turkey has not.
In the case of Lesin, anyone wanting ‘vengeance’ for RT’s popularity would be able to say that a kind of former media boss was taken down.
For Malanin, many fear that if ‘Grexit’ happens, Russia will become an increasingly important partner for Greece. The EU would not like one of its vassal states enjoying fruitful relations with Russia, a country still under sanctions from Brussels.
For Kadakin, it is a matter of interest for those wanting Pakistan to continue favouring western powers and not wanting Russia to be able to mediate in conflict resolutions between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Churkin had come to dominate the UN in ways that his counterparts on the Security Council simply could not. No one really stood a chance in a debate with Churkin. His absence leaves open the possibility for a power vacuum that would makes other peoples’ jobs easier.
4. Where The Deaths Took Place
Each death took place on foreign soil. Mr. Karlov’s killing in particular, exposed the weakness of his security contingent. If security was that weak in a comparatively volatile place like Turkey, it goes without saying that security in states considered more politically stable would be even more lax.
Again it must be said that a non-biased detective might say that the only pattern which has emerged is that many people in the Russian diplomatic corps and related institutions have heart attacks. Maybe they eat fatty foods every day and drink and smoke too much. But if this was this case, why are the heart attacks all on foreign soil?
If all of the former Ambassadors except Karlov were really in bad health, is it really just a coincidence that none of these men had a health scare on Russian soil? Again, a pattern has emerged.
5. The Ethics of Speculation?
Many will say that it is too early to suspect foul play. Indeed, I must make it clear that this is simply speculation based on a pattern of tragic and at times unexplained events, combined with the objective reality that because of Russia’s recently elevated profile as a born-again geopolitical superpower, Russia is a bigger target for international criminals than it was in the broken 1990s or the more quiet early 2000s.
When such events happen, one’s duty is to speculate so that better health and safety precautions are taken to ensure the wellbeing of Russia’s important diplomats. Furthermore, if foul play is a factor, it means that such seemingly unrelated events must be investigated more thoroughly.
Russia has historically suffered from invasion, revolution and more recently from immense international pressure. The Russian people, like Russia’s ambassadors are entitled to the peace and long lives deserved by any member of a country that has suffered for too long.
