Western Diplomats in Juba Condemn Russian Military Aggression, Hoist Ukrainian flag
Western diplomats in South Sudan on Tuesday condemned the Russian Military aggression against Ukraine, and hoisted the Ukrainian flag at the European Union Compound in Juba as a symbol of solidarity, friendship and support in the face of the ongoing Russian invasion.
“We raise the flag of Ukraine in the spirit of the UN Charter and as symbol of solidarity and support for Ukraine and its people in the face of Russian military aggression,” said Dionyz Hochel, EU’s Deputy Head of Delegation as he led the hoisting of the Ukrainian flag.
“The Russian invasion is unacceptable because it violates the international order we have for peace. This is unacceptable because it also sacrifices Russian soldiers in a senseless war,” Naohiro Tsutsumi, Japan’s Ambassador to Juba, weighed in.
The French and Norwegian ambassadors, Marc Trouyet and Siv Kaspersen, chargés d'affaires of the British and Canadian embassies, Kate Johnston and Erich Cripton respectively appealed to the Juba Government to stand with the UN values and principals and vote in favour of the UN resolution on Wednesday.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday), it’s a crucial vote for all the international community and South Sudan will be part of the action. We just hope that South Sudan will stand with the values that allowed the creation and recognition of South Sudan in 2011,” Trouyet said.
Meanwhile, the chargé d'affaires at the US embassy, David Renz said Russia would pay a heavy price now and for years to come for choosing aggression against Ukraine.
Turkish Ambassador Erdem Mutaf, Head of the Office of the Swedish Embassy in Juba, Joachim Waern and chargé d'affaires of the German Embassy, Simon Ruf among others also attended the Ukrainian flag-hoisting event.
According to the Kyiv government, more than hundreds of civilians including children have been killed while more than half a million people have fled the country since Russia invaded the country.
