China News Agency, United Nations, February 17 (Reporter Madryn) The United Nations Security Council held an open meeting on the Ukraine issue on the 17th. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin presided over the meeting as the chairman of the Security Council.

　　The UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and others briefed the recent situation.

DiCarlo called the current situation the most tense since 2014.

All parties should exercise maximum restraint and refrain from taking any unilateral measures that may violate the new Minsk agreement and cause further conflict, including those involving the status of relevant regions.

The United Nations insists that diplomacy is the only way to solve the problem, and continues to provide assistance on the ground.

　　In April 2014, clashes between Ukrainian government forces and local armed forces occurred in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine (including Donetsk and Luhansk regions), resulting in a large number of casualties.

The international community established a tripartite contact group on the Ukraine issue (Ukraine, Russia, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, TCG for short) and a "Normandy model" mediation mechanism, which facilitated the two parties to the conflict to reach two agreements in Minsk in September 2014 and February 2015 respectively. Ceasefire agreement (the former is the Minsk agreement, the latter is the new Minsk agreement).

　　OSCE Chairman-in-Office in Ukraine and TCG Special Representative Mikko Kinnunen and OSCE Special Monitoring Group Chief Inspector in Ukraine Yasar Halit cevik both emphasized the importance of political will and called on all parties to take measures. Take concrete action to de-escalate the situation.

　　Vershinin, speaking as the representative of Russia, criticized the Ukrainian government for always refusing to comply with the new Minsk agreement, conducting direct dialogue with the Donbas Regional Autonomous Organization, and even blatantly violating the ceasefire, constantly using artillery, rockets and other weapons to attack local residents.

In response to allegations by the United States, Britain and other countries that Russia intends to "invade" Ukraine, he repeatedly emphasized that this statement is a lie and that Russia has the right to conduct military maneuvers and exercises within its own territory.

　　U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said that 150,000 Russian troops are currently deployed on the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Russian side claims to be withdrawing troops but is actually increasing its troops. Preventing Russia from "invading" Ukraine is the most urgent issue.

In the past few days, Russian media began to spread disinformation and create excuses for military operations.

Blinken urged Russia to change course before things go sour: "If Russia really has no intention of invading Ukraine, make a clear commitment to that at today's meeting and withdraw its troops."

　　The representative of Ukraine said that if the Russian government accepts the resolution of the Russian State Duma calling on the president to recognize the independent status of Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine can only see it as a sign that Russia has torn up the new Minsk agreement.

Uzbekistan is committed to resolving the crisis diplomatically, but if Russia crosses the line, Uzbekistan will take self-defense actions.

　　James Cleverley, secretary of state for Europe and North America at the British Foreign Office, said Russia could claim the right to move troops in its own country, but no one had the right to threaten another country with force.

Russia's actions clearly threaten the stability and unity of Ukraine.

If Russia respects its status as a permanent member of the Security Council and the UN Charter, it should take concrete actions to de-escalate the situation and return to the negotiating table.

　　The French representative said Russia's military activities had raised tensions and the EU was ready to act in concert with all partners.

He also stressed that France believes that the situation can be eased through diplomacy and further dialogue on European security and other issues.

　　The representatives of Germany, Norway and Ireland criticized Russia's mobilization of military forces for aggravating tensions, and called on Russia to constructively participate in the dialogue and resolve the conflict by peaceful means.

Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, called for adhering to the general direction of political settlement and properly resolving differences through equal consultation.

Brazil, India, Albania and other countries also called on all parties to implement the New Minsk Agreement and resolve the issue peacefully.

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