The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on March 17, 2023, for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. They are suspected of the illegal forced relocation of Ukrainian children from the occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia, which is considered a war crime.

Due to Russia´s war of aggression, countries that used to depend on Ukrainian grain have been impacted. While the justified sanctions – aimed at reducing Russia´s financial ability to wage its illegal war – have not targeted trade in agricultural and food products, Russia´s own actions have prevented parts of Ukrainian grain from flowing abroad. Africa has suffered the most. It is remarkable that Ukraine, a country at war, is able to donate grain and other agricultural products to countries in Africa. Zambia is one of the countries set to benefit. 

Many European countries that share borders with Russia have experienced similar fates before. We know what Ukraine and the Ukrainians are going through. European post-war history has been shaped by a profound desire for peace and preventing conflict. It is neither Europe nor its allies who called for a conflict with Russia.  Three years ago, Russia launched an unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Ukraine is not fighting only for their own sovereignty – they are fighting for all independent countries across the globe. 

Ukraine exists as a nation 

There are attempt to deny the existence of the Ukrainian people and their language. 

President Putin repeatedly expressed his view that Ukrainian state was artificial and deserves to be destroyed. This disinformation has repeatedly been spread during the course of the Russian invasion, including here in Zambia. 

History can be falsified, but it does not change the facts. 

Ukraine is a sovereign state, with 38 million of its citizens living in Ukraine and eight million having been forced to flee due to the war. Over 80 percent of Ukrainians speak Ukrainian as their native language. Around one-third of the population speaks Russian. The Ukrainian people were belittled and oppressed during the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union continued the same oppressive policies. Now Russia tries to do the same.

Winner takes it all?

There was a time when national borders were challenged and changed at will. Rulers saw it as their right to forcibly incorporate conquered territories and nations under their control and profit from their riches. African countries, in particular, have harsh experiences with such policies. At a time when Zambia is celebrating 60 years of independence, Zambians recognise and fully appreciate the importance of the fight for freedom and centrality of self-determination.

Our joint rules-based international order may not be perfect. However, it has been the most ambitious and successful approach to resolve conflicts peacefully. The key actors in this order include the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, the UN Charter, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, decisions from the UN General Assembly and Security Council, and numerous international treaties.

In a world that is increasingly threatened by international conflict, the only way to preserve peace - or to work towards it – is to use these tools provided by international law.

We no longer accept the conqueror's right to act as they please. 

Ukraine has the right to continue its existence as an independent nation and to choose its own partners. All countries must have this right. European Countries. African countries. Zambia would not give up this right, why should Ukraine?

No one wants peace more than Ukraine. But this peace must be just and lasting. All diplomatic efforts should be directed towards this. Ukraine needs to be at the negotiation table when its future is being discussed. Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. 

 

 

Ambassadors of the European Union, the Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy and Sweden accredited to Zambia