Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankou has confirmed that a meeting of the UN Security Council will be held in the near future to discuss the attack on a bus carrying Belarusian children in Russia’s Bryansk region. During the meeting, Belarus also intends to raise the issue of statements by the Ukrainian leadership regarding its “readiness to strike Belarusian territory.”
“Following the terrorist attack on a civilian bus carrying Belarusian citizens, mostly children, in Russia’s Bryansk region on June 17, the Republic of Belarus appealed to Colombia, which currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council, requesting an urgent meeting of the Council.
I would like to note that Belarus is not currently a member of the Security Council. Our request was supported by our ally and permanent Security Council member, the Russian Federation. In accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the UN Security Council, the meeting will take place in the near future. The Belarusian side intends to use the platform of this UN body to urgently and fully present its view of what happened to the international community,” Varankou said.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that Minsk would insist on an objective international investigation.
“We will insist on the need for an immediate, objective and impartial international investigation. Crimes of this kind must not be ignored, and those responsible must not escape accountability. The Republic of Belarus has consistently advocated and continues to advocate strict compliance with international law and the protection of civilians, especially children, who should never under any circumstances become targets in armed conflicts,” he said.
In addition, Belarus plans to draw the Security Council’s attention to recent statements by the Ukrainian leadership.
“During the upcoming meeting, the Belarusian side will also draw the Security Council’s attention to recent statements by the Ukrainian leadership openly declaring its readiness to strike Belarusian territory, including critical infrastructure facilities. Such rhetoric not only grossly violates the fundamental principles of international law but also poses a direct threat to regional and international security,” Varankou said.
On June 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was giving Aliaksandr Lukashenka one week to remove repeaters used by Russian drones from the Ukrainian border. “If he doesn’t do it, we will,” Zelenskyy said. On June 24, Zelenskyy stated that the repeaters had been switched off as of June 22.
