Diplomats Walk Out En Masse As Russia’s Foreign Minister Gives Speech At The UN
Dozens of diplomats have walked out as Russia's Foreign Minister was due to give a speech at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
Sergey Lavrov was set to address the UN Human Rights Council via video link to a packed out room.
However, as he arrived on the screen, many representatives stood up and walked out to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
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The mass walk out, which included around 100 diplomats from 40 nations, was led by Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, according to The New York Times.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly was among those who left the room and she said (via Reuters): “Minister Lavrov was giving his version, which is false, about what is happening in Ukraine, and so that’s why we wanted to show a very strong stance together."
Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, Yevheniia Filipenko, was blown away by everyone's support and said it was 'remarkable'.
The conference hall was left largely empty by the time Lavrov got going.
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He explained during his speech that he would have liked to have attended the conference in person, however European Union sanctions have banned all flights coming from Russia.
The Foreign Minister used his time to accuse Ukraine of trying to get their hands on nuclear weapons.
He also slammed European countries for engaging in a 'Russophobic frenzy' by avoiding all 'direct face-to-face dialogue'.
Mr Lavrov also criticised EU nations for sending weapons to Ukraine to fight back against the Russians.
It was a very different story at the European Parliament, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a standing ovation.
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EU member Michael Bloss shared the moment on Twitter, writing: "Standing ovation for @ZelenskyyUa, President of Ukraine from the whole of the European Parliament.
"We #StandWithUkraine️ to defend democracy, human rights and peace."
Zelenskyy addressed the union in an impassioned speech amid the country's invasion by Russian forces.
Per the BBC, he said: "We are fighting for our rights, for our freedom, for our lives, and now we are fighting for our survival."
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He went on to say that the country is also fighting 'to be the equal members of Europe'.
He added: "Together with us the European Union will be stronger, but without you Ukraine will be alone."
The President's speech follows the news that he has signed an application to join the 27-country bloc, a move that was announced an ‘historic moment’ by the Parliament of Ukraine on Twitter.
Stewart Perrie