Kenya Confronts Russia for Interfering with Ukraine's Sovereignty: "We Strongly Condemn the Trend"

By Jackson Otukho

Amb. Martin Kimani

ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022, Kenya confronted Russia for what it termed as undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

(View/hear full statement @ https://twitter.com/teddyeugene/ status/1496007006339182592)

This is after the Vladimir Putin led super-power country recognised the Donetsk and Luhansk areas of Ukraine as independent states.

During an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Kenya's permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Martin Kimani said the country was gravely concerned by Russia's announcement. Kimani, during the Monday, February 21, conference, noted that Kenya's stand on diplomacy to help end the confl ict in Ukraine was not considered. He added that the threats by Russia to use force had signifi cantly aff ected the integrity and political independence of Ukraine.

"We do not deny that there may be serious security concerns in these regions. But they cannot justify the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states. Not when there were multiple diplomatic tracks available and underway that had the ability to off er peaceful

solutions," said Kimani.

The ambassador also accused powerful states, among them members of the Security Council, of breaching international law, urging them to defend multilateralism.

Sending Troops

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also accused Russia of violating its sovereignty. Sending troops Shortly after Putin recognised Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states, he ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions. In a lengthy address packed with grievances against the West, an angry Putin claimed eastern Ukraine was ancient Russian land.

His announcement drew condemnation with the Unites States halting business activities in the breakaway regions. The Joe Biden led country also banned the importation of all goods from the area.

The Republic of Kenya is a member of the United Nations Security Council. In January 2021, Kenya replaced South Africa as one of three (A3) elected African nations on the Council. Niger and Tunisia also have two-year terms on the UN Security Council.

www.tuko.co.ke/kenya/444156-kenyareprimands-russia-interfering-with-ukrainessovereignty-we-strongly-condemn-trend Photo credit: KenyaMissionUN. Source: Twitter