The escalation between the US, Israel and Iran has led to an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and a new wave of international statements. In parallel, Ukraine continues the negotiation process with the US and the Russian Federation on possible parameters for ending the war and security guarantees. Kyiv also directly links the events in the Middle East to the war against Ukraine due to Iran's role in supporting Russian aggression.
Emergency meeting of the UN Security Council due to hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran: main statements of the parties
On February 28, the United Kingdom, which presides over the UN Security Council, at the request of France, Bahrain, Colombia, China and Russia, convened an emergency meeting due to the escalation of the situation in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the US and Iran to return to dialogue, in particular to resume negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program. He stressed the need to uphold international law and condemned both the massive US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran’s attacks on countries in the region. According to him, the attacks hit 20 cities in Iran, there were civilian casualties, including children, and 78 people were injured in Israel.
Guterres warned of the risk of a large-scale escalation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Iranian representative stated that the strikes were illegal and had caused civilian casualties, while the Bahraini representative condemned the Iranian attacks, calling them “an unprecedented escalation of the situation.” Russian representative Vasily Nebenzia accused the US and Israel of violating international law, while US representative Mike Walz said that the operation was aimed at destroying Iran’s missile capabilities and preventing it from developing nuclear weapons. He also stressed that diplomacy could not be effective without a real desire to stop the aggression.
Zelenskyy updated directives for further negotiations between Ukraine, the US and the Russian Federation
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, that he updated the directives for the Ukrainian negotiating and diplomatic teams regarding further trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and the Russian Federation on possible parameters for ending the war. He stated this during an address on February 28, noting that the new instructions determine the further work of the Ukrainian delegation. According to him, the time and place of the next meeting will be determined by the parties depending on the security situation and real diplomatic opportunities.
The president also stressed the need to stop Russian aggression and stressed the importance of security guarantees. He stated that peace must be genuine and provide people with the opportunity to live freely and safely. Zelensky emphasized that the diplomatic process is ongoing, but its further development depends on the specific conditions and the readiness of the parties to negotiate.
Zelensky commented on the escalation in the Middle East and Iran's role in the war against Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the rapid escalation of the situation in the Middle East, stating, that Ukraine understands the consequences of such events. According to him, Ukrainians have never threatened Iran, but the Iranian regime voluntarily became Putin's ally, transferring attack drones and technologies for their production to Russia. The President noted that during the full-scale war, Russia used more than 57 thousand Shahed drones against Ukraine.
Zelensky stressed that other nations had also suffered from Iran's attacks, and also stated the importance of giving the Iranian people a chance to get rid of the terrorist regime. He stressed the need to save lives and prevent the war from expanding, adding that the US's determination weakens global criminals. The President separately emphasized the importance of deterring escalation and protecting the civilian population.
Kyiv says Russia ready to accept US plan for security guarantees for Ukraine
According to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, during recent talks in Geneva, the Russian side declared its readiness to accept the US-proposed security guarantees for Ukraine after the war. This was said by a senior official in a television interview on February 28. These are mechanisms that provide for the obligation of the US and European allies to respond in the event of a second Russian attack after the conclusion of a peace agreement.
Despite this, the latest round of talks in Geneva did not bring a breakthrough and was characterized as difficult by both Kyiv and Moscow, although Washington declared “meaningful progress.” It is also noted that Russia has not yet agreed to hold a summit between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, the possibility of which was previously discussed with the participation of a US special representative.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry commented on the Israeli and US operation against Iran
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said, that Ukraine's position on Iran remains consistent, and the Iranian regime, according to him, has been destabilizing the region and supporting terrorist groups for a long time. During a briefing on February 28, he emphasized that Ukraine supports the Iranian people, while the Iranian authorities are responsible for systemic human rights violations, repression and persecution of dissidents. According to the minister, the Iranian authorities had the opportunity to avoid a forceful scenario through diplomacy.
The Foreign Ministry also reported that Ukrainian citizens were warned in advance about the need to leave Iran and other dangerous regions. Ministry spokesman Georgy Tykhy urged Ukrainians to refrain from traveling to Israel and to follow the instructions of local authorities in the Persian Gulf countries. He stressed the need to respond to air raid sirens, use shelters, and in case of danger, immediately contact the diplomatic institutions of Ukraine.
Photo: Getty Images/Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Author: Danylo Pievchev