The key item on his agenda was attending the Emergency Special Session of UN General Assembly, during which a resolution was adopted on the principles underlying just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Polish foreign minister also took part in the UN Security Council briefing at the ministerial level and – via video link – in Reinforced Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council session.

In his address at the General Assembly, Minister Rau insisted on immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its violations of fundamental principles of international law. He also underlined the role of Poland and Poles in providing assistance to Ukrainian nationals, and their solidarity.

During his speech at the Security Council, Minister Rau stressed, in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the utmost importance of the international community’s support for the rules underlying the international order. Despite the Council’s incapacity to take effective actions due to Russia’s abuse of its right to veto, the international community must not remain idle.  “If we do not stand up to jointly defend basic principles and values of the international law today, tomorrow it can be too late,” said Minister Rau.

While visiting New York, the Polish head of diplomacy also held a series of bilateral meetings: with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, and Foreign Minister of Guatemala Mario Adolfo Búcaro Flores.

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson