The United States and Europe called on Russia on Monday to stop the alleged sexual violence committed by its army and its auxiliaries in Ukraine.
Moscow, for its part, denounced baseless accusations during a meeting of the UN Security Council organized by Albania.
“Russia must take measures within its army and its auxiliaries so that they respect” the UN resolution 1820 on sexual violence, adopted in 2008, which prohibits making it a weapon of war, has said US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
“It is incumbent on Russia to stop the rapes, violence and atrocities committed by its soldiers.
It is incumbent on Russia to put an end to this atrocious unprovoked war against the Ukrainian people,” she insisted.
“Atrocities” denounced
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, also denounced "atrocities".
"These crimes will be punished", "we need evidence" and "we are helping to gather them", he said.
He also strongly denounced "the sole responsibility" of Moscow in the food crisis caused by the Russian war, leading to the departure from the room of the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, replaced by a deputy.
Beforehand, the Russian diplomat had denied the sexual abuses of which the Russian armed forces are accused, speaking of “lies”.
“The accusations of sexual violence against the Russian army have become repetitive (…) but no proof has been provided,” said Vassily Nebenzia.
“Be more careful because there is no proof of these claims from kyiv,” the diplomat added to Westerners.
Ukraine no longer wants Russia on the UN Security Council
The Ukrainian ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, also accused the Russian army of sexual violence in his country, citing Moscow's desire to erase all traces of it.
He called for finding a solution to “Russia's occupation of the permanent Soviet seat” on the Security Council.
"The sooner the better" and "we need a credible Council", he pleaded.
Several other members of the Council also denounced the use of sexual violence which may constitute war crimes under international law.
China has called for any allegations to be investigated based on facts.
Noting that "women constitute the majority of alleged victims", Pramila Patten, special representative to the Security Council for sexual violence in conflict, asked "to ensure that amnesties for crimes of sexual violence are explicitly prohibited” from any eventual and future peace agreement.
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