The below is attributable to U.S. Mission to the United Nations Spokesperson Olivia Dalton:
U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield met today with Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya to discuss Russia’s dangerous and destabilizing actions against Ukraine. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield expressed appreciation for Ukraine’s continued calls for a diplomatic solution. She made clear that the diplomatic path provides the only durable solution to the security concerns of Russia, the United States, Ukraine, and other European nations. They agreed that a positive signal of Russia’s commitment to diplomacy would be an immediate de-escalation of Russian forces near Ukraine’s borders, including in Belarus. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Ambassador Kyslytsya noted the Secretary-General’s clear statement at his press conference on January 21 that any invasion by one country against another country is against international law.
The two ambassadors discussed the importance of a robust response from the international community to deter Russian plans to further invade Ukraine. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Ambassador Kyslytsya agreed that Russia’s actions struck at the heart of the UN Charter and posed grave implications for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that undergird the international system and apply to all UN Member States. The two officials acknowledged the importance of staying alert to familiar tactics and Russia’s playbook of spreading disinformation and sabotage activities against its neighbors, as it did in advance of its invasion of Crimea in 2014.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield affirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. She expressed appreciation for Ukraine’s contributions to the UN and toward the maintenance of international peace and security. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the principle of nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Ambassador Kyslytsya agreed that close coordination between the United States and Ukraine at all levels would continue to be essential, including in New York in regards to next steps at the UN.
