Espreso. Global

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

31 December, 2023 Sunday
11:40

On Saturday, December 30, the Czech Republic declined to join an urgent UN Security Council meeting called by Russia following explosions in Belgorod. Britain and France attributed the deaths in Belgorod to Putin's actions, citing Russia's violation of the UN Charter

client/title.list_title

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.
     
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Monday
17 February
11:15
OPINION
European leaders stunned: Macron calls emergency summit in Paris
10:56
Russia claims drone attack on Ilsky Oil Refinery
10:39
UK ready to send peacekeepers to Ukraine — UK PM
10:18
Trump says he may meet Putin "very soon" to discuss Ukraine-Russia ceasefire
09:57
Russia launches drone attacks on Ukraine, injuring civilians in Kharkiv, Kyiv regions
09:35
Russia loses 1,530 soldiers and dozens of military vehicles in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Sunday
16 February
21:14
OPINION
Why Lend-Lease is a quintessential Trump issue
20:51
White House sends questionnaire to Europe on Ukraine’s security in case of ceasefire
20:33
How Ukrainian soldiers use Soviet Grad MLRS to defend Chasiv Yar
20:13
Russian forces start demolishing Mariupol's historic center
20:00
Exclusive
Russian propagandists launch new fake claim about student mobilization in Ukraine
19:49
Exclusive
What are the key factors behind Ukraine’s recent Pokrovsk front success?
19:28
Finnish President Stubb outlines three stages for peace in Ukraine
19:14
Investigation reveals Google’s collaboration with autocratic regimes, including the Kremlin
18:49
Ukrainian government delegation arrives in Saudi Arabia to prepare for Zelenskyy's visit
18:30
Interview
Trump's Resource Agreement acknowledges independent Ukraine as a U.S. interest – expert Fried
18:17
No Ukraine-Russia meetings until war-end plan is developed — Zelenskyy's aide
17:45
Russian forces lose rare Tosochka flamethrower for first time in combat
17:20
Russian Foreign Intelligence accuses Ukraine of preparing Baltic Sea terror attack
16:55
Exclusive
Vance's statements fully endorsed by White House, expert says
16:27
Review
Completing the Khmelnytskyi NPP: Why Bulgaria ditched "nuclear samovars" and does Ukraine really need more reactors
15:54
Missiles, bombs, drones: Russia launched over 2,100 aerial attacks on Ukraine in a week
15:20
Ukrainian forces liberate Pishchane village south of Pokrovsk
14:56
Russian forces cross Oskil river to establish new offensive foothold in Kharkiv region
14:35
Russia sets up secret sabotage unit targeting Europe and beyond
13:57
Exclusive
Facebook group in Australia unites thousands of diaspora members to help Ukraine
13:30
IAEA inspects Chornobyl NPP shelter damaged by Russian drone, reports ongoing fire
12:55
Exclusive
Putin's war plans linked to two key factors – journalist Portnikov
12:28
261 battles occur on Russian-Ukrainian front, 71 in Pokrovsk direction – Ukraine's General Staff
11:56
Exclusive
Risky if Trump and Putin’s teams align — journalist Portnikov on Kellogg’s 180-day war end plan
11:28
U.S. pushes for greater control over Ukrainian minerals, including rare earths – media
10:52
Russia loses 5 tanks, 11 artillery systems, 1,730 soldiers in one day of war against Ukraine
10:35
Russian soldiers deliberately damage weapons to sabotage operations near Pokrovsk – guerrillas
2025, Saturday
15 February
19:45
U.S. to mediate Ukraine-Russia talks, no direct role for Europe — Kellogg
19:23
Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine to boost leverage as Munich Conference unfolds
19:00
Exclusive
U.S. lacks capacity to counter Russia, China — diplomat
18:37
Exclusive
Fixing frontline doesn’t mean renouncing Ukraine’s 1991 borders — diplomat Fried
18:19
Trump envoy Kellogg pledges 180 days to end war in Ukraine
18:00
Russia must withdraw to Ukraine’s pre-full-scale invasion borders — Zelenskyy
17:41
Trump team proposes deploying U.S. troops to protect Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits
More news