Russia calls UN Security Council meeting on Belgorod situation; Czech Republic refuses to participate

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated it on Twitter.

"We decline to respond to Russia's summons anywhere. The Czech Republic won't be a mouthpiece for the aggressor's deceitful propaganda. We're open to discussing the withdrawal of Russian forces at the Security Council," said the Czech Republic's representative.

Following the events in Belgorod, Russia's UN representative, Dmitry Polyansky insisted on an urgent UN Security Council meeting. He accused Ukraine of "killing civilians" with Czech Republic-supplied ammunition and called for the presence of the Czech ambassador.

Contrarily, the UK attributed blame for Russian casualties to President Vladimir Putin, Ukrinform reports. 

Thomas Phipps, Political Counsellor at the UK Mission to the United Nations, emphasized Putin's responsibility for sending Russian servicemen to needless deaths, noting Russia's shift to indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

France echoed this stance, holding Russia accountable for the situation due to its invasion of Ukraine and continuous UN Charter violations. France's UN Representative, Nicolas de Rivière, stated that if Russia had not invaded Ukraine, shelled cities, and violated the UN Charter, there would be no need for a Security Council meeting.

Speaking at the UN meeting, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, highlighted the Russian missile attack on Ukraine on December 29, causing over 40 deaths and 100 injuries. He also referenced recent drone attacks and the strike on Kharkiv.

Regarding Russia's claims of Ukrainian shelling, Khiari stated that the UN cannot verify the data on the attacks and casualties, emphasizing the real danger of escalating the war.

Khiari said that the latest attacks serve as a stark reminder of the very real danger of further escalation in this war.

Representatives from the USA, Japan, Albania, Malta, and other nations also condemned Russia's strikes on Ukraine.

The UN Security Council meeting, convened by Russia, was scheduled for 23:00 Kyiv time.

• On the afternoon of December 30, explosions occurred in Belgorod, Russia. Local authorities claimed drone shelling, resulting in alleged casualties. Ukrainian special services informed the media that the Armed Forces targeted military facilities in the city.