Right of Reply to Russia On Russia’s Ongoing Violations in Ukraine
As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires Greg Macris
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
October 4, 2018
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Allow me to refer back to two items that the esteemed Russian ambassador mentioned in his earlier intervention.
First, when he talks about the provision of approximately one billion dollars in military aid from the United States to the sovereign nation of Ukraine, allow me to paraphrase U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, who said simply that defensive weapons provoke angst and worry only among aggressors.
A second item — at least in the English translation of the words of the Russian ambassador — when he was referring to the placement, allegedly, of this BUK missile battery near Mariupol, what I heard in my earphones was “who are they planning on shooting down this time?”.
Now I think we all know exactly what the Russian ambassador means when he says “this time”. His country’s continued efforts to shift blame to Ukraine for the downing of MH17 in the face of overwhelming evidence is simply preposterous and deserves no further response.
Thank you Mr. Chair.
