According to the UN, over 10 million people – about a quarter of Ukraine’s pre-war population – have now been displaced by this conflict. In one month, Russia caused one of the fastest-growing humanitarian catastrophes in the world. Over the course of his war, President Putin has also inflicted deep injustice against his own people, particularly against these young Russians who were forced to sacrifice their lives for his ego and ambition. It must also be said that we are seeing devastating reports about extraordinary casualties suffered by the invading forces, including of young conscript soldiers. And as the United States has repeatedly warned in recent days, we believe Russia may be planning to use chemical or biological weapons. We recently learned that Russian shelling killed a 96-year-old Holocaust survivor in Kharkiv. Just yesterday, the New York Times published videos of Russia’s forces in the town of Kherson firing on civilian protesters. government assesses that members of Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine. Russia’s actions in Mariupol will be investigated thoroughly, and importantly, known by the world as a symbol of Russian brutality, alongside those in Aleppo and Grozny.Ī short time ago, Secretary of State Blinken announced that, based on information currently available, the U.S. This week, the UN Secretary-General spoke about the devastation of Mariupol and Kharkiv, and demanded “a thorough investigation and accountability.” We concur and agree fully. But they know once the fog has cleared, the toll will be much higher. Local authorities reported at least 2,400 civilians have been killed – in this one Ukrainian city alone – by Russia since its attacks began. We have heard disturbing reports that several thousand Mariupol residents have been unwillingly transported into camps in Russia, of journalists and local activists being abducted, of widespread shelling and attacks on civilians. Despite Russia declaring a ceasefire for the evacuation of civilians, we continued to see images of Russian tanks shelling residential buildings, schools, and even a large theater marked in Russian with the word “children” in letters large enough to be visible from the air. Media and civilians report that Russian forces went on to bomb a humanitarian corridor, blocking critical, lifesaving supplies from reaching Mariupol. Mariupol, once home to nearly a half million people, has been without food, water, electricity, or gas for weeks. In that time, Russia has bombed a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol, which witnesses told UN officials was “operational and clearly identifiable” when it was hit. We need only to look at the plight of people in Mariupol to understand the brutality President Putin has inflicted. One month of a purposeless, senseless violence initiated by President Putin, without regard for how many Ukrainian – and Russian – lives would be destroyed in the process. One month of spiraling levels of hunger, displacement, and trauma. One month of relentless attacks that have destroyed infrastructure and left millions of Ukrainians without reliable access to clean water, heat, electricity. One month of brutal assaults on kindergartens, orphanages, apartment buildings, maternity wards. Tomorrow marks one month since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But today, I grieve her as my friend and extend my condolences to her family. I’m sure that we will have an opportunity to remember Secretary Albright and honor her many contributions in the days ahead. I hope to do justice for her memory today. government – has echoed in my mind amid the current crisis in Ukraine. Her story – a story of fleeing Czechoslovakia as a refugee at a young age and rising in the highest levels of the U.S. I always would say – she used to talk about the pins she wore – I always wore her on my shoulder. Our country and our United Nations are stronger for her service. She left an indelible mark on the world and on the United Nations. She was a trailblazer and a luminary, and she was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State. She was a colleague, and she was a friend over several decades. She was my boss, both as Secretary of State I worked with her in Georgetown. Representative to the United Nationsīefore I begin, I want to express my great sorrow at learning that former Secretary of State and former USUN Ambassador Madeleine Albright has passed away.
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