Russia Accuses West of ‘Disinformation and Sabotage of Peace’ in UN Security Council Meeting
On [Date of UNSC Meeting], Russia convened a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) under the Arria-formula to address what it termed "Disinformation and Sabotage of Peace in Ukraine." Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered the main address, characterizing the narrative surrounding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as a deliberate misrepresentation of Moscow’s motives and actions. He accused Ukraine, the UK, and the EU of engaging in a campaign of disinformation to undermine Russia’s pursuit of peace.
Central to Polyanskiy’s argument was the alleged "Bucha Hoax," referring to the reported atrocities committed during the Russian occupation of Bucha in 2022. Moscow reiterated its long-standing denial of these allegations, claiming they were a fabricated provocation orchestrated by Ukraine and its Western allies to derail peace negotiations. Polyanskiy suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the backing of then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, used the Bucha incident as a pretext to undermine talks in Minsk and Istanbul and sabotage any future dialogue with Russia. He presented maps, video clips, and what he claimed was "witness testimony" to refute the internationally documented evidence of civilian killings and mass graves in Bucha.
Polyanskiy criticized the UN for its role in disseminating what he termed "unverified and unsubstantiated allegations" regarding the Bucha incident. He specifically targeted a 2022 report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and expressed dissatisfaction with the UN Secretariat’s failure to provide Russia with evidence to support the claims of atrocities, despite formal requests from the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office. He implied that the lack of response indicated the absence of credible evidence.
Shifting the focus, Polyanskiy presented the UNSC with what he described as "first-hand information" on crimes committed by the Ukrainian regime during its incursion into the Kursk region of Russia. He alleged that Ukrainian forces had abandoned military equipment, heavily mined the area, booby-trapped civilian homes and even children’s toys, and placed ammunition in civilian facilities, including schools and kindergartens. Further accusations included widespread looting, desecration of churches, and acts of torture, rape, and murder against Russian citizens. Polyanskiy attributed these alleged actions to the desperation of a “neo-Nazi Kyiv regime” suffering significant battlefield losses and resorting to “terrorist methods” in a futile attempt to negotiate from a position of strength.
Polyanskiy concluded his address by emphasizing the need for a sustainable peace built on truth, not lies and manipulation. He asserted that the root causes of the conflict lay not in the 2022 invasion but in the 2014 events in Kyiv, which he referred to as an "anti-constitutional coup d’état." He attributed Ukraine’s behavior to what he described as "animal cruelty and hatred towards everything Russian," dating back to that period.
The Russian presentation at the UNSC meeting drew sharp criticism from Western delegations. Representatives from the US, UK, France, and other nations refuted Polyanskiy’s accusations, reiterating their support for Ukraine and condemning Russia’s ongoing aggression. They emphasized the overwhelming evidence of Russian war crimes, including the atrocities committed in Bucha, and called for accountability for those responsible. The meeting highlighted the deep divisions within the UNSC regarding the conflict in Ukraine and the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution.
The international community continues to grapple with the ramifications of the war in Ukraine, as accusations and counter-accusations fly between the warring parties. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The focus now shifts to ongoing diplomatic efforts and the search for a path towards a just and lasting peace.