Critical Reflection

Concerned by Restrictions on Religious Freedom,

Speakers Warn against Using Religion to Fuel Conflict,

as Security Council Considers Situation in Ukraine

FRANCE

1

Background

Since February 2022, tensions between Ukraine and Russia have escalated, as Russia has

invaded Ukraine which has led to the outbreak of war. Since then, many international and

European partners have continued their exceptional efforts to support the Ukrainian people. The

result of this invasion has left members of the United Nations, European Union, and NATO

anxious as to what the Russian Federation could decide to do next, and if that will inflict greater

harm.

France shares these concerns, and the risk that Russia poses to the safety and security of the rest

of the world. France is providing and will continue to provide the support to the Ukrainian

people to ensure their right to self defense and preserve their sovereignty, territorial integrity

and independence, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter

(Permanent Mission of France, 2023).

We continue to plan to support Ukraine by sending military support, both bilaterally and

through the European Union in an attempt to rebalance the forces and create a just and lasting

settlement of the conflict. Russia is seeking to acquire weapons through any means, including

by violating the Security Council resolutions. It is documented that Russia has utilized Iranian-

supplied combat drones in this war (Permanent Mission of France, 2023). We call upon the

United Nations to investigate these transfers of drones, as it violates Resolution 2231, and report

it to the Council.

Despite these continued attacks on Ukraine from Russia, Russia is now claiming that Ukraine

is “Russophobic”, as the Ukrainian government is cutting ties with the Russian Orthodox

Church and putting sanctions on the Clergy. Russia believes this is religious oppression, and

has now turned the focus from the war in Ukraine to exploiting the freedom of belief and

religion. The Russian Federation claims “religious freedom”, even as it openly defies a ceasefire

and civilians continue to suffer. They have been suffering since the initial invasion, as Russia

has continued to commit serious human rights violations, including the deprivation of the right

to freely practice religion (United Nations Security Council, 2023). France will continue to

support Ukraine in this conflict.

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Justification

The current position of France on the Russian aggression against Ukraine is dictated by many

factors. It should be mentioned that France is one of the countries that strongly condemned

Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. It was also one of the four countries (together with

Germany, Ukraine and Russia) forming the Normandy contact group, whose aim was to

stabilize the situation in Dombasa. France hosted the summit in 2019. (France Diplomacy,

2023) Moreover, it is worth emphasizing the numerous diplomatic attempts of the French

president - Emmanuel Macron - before and also in the first month of the war in Ukraine. France

openly admits its desire to repel the Russian attack, as well as to find permanent stability on the

European continent. (France24, 2023)

Since the beginning of the war, French troops have been actively supporting NATO's eastern

flank, and French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzer guns play a significant role on the front.

(Zerka, 2022) In addition, France has created a special fund to purchase the necessary

equipment for the Ukrainian side, as well as to maintain the current equipment. The value of

this package is €200 million. The French state also intends to train up to 15,000 Ukrainian

soldiers in France and Poland. In addition, France has contributed €630 million to the European

Peace Facility (a total of €3.5 billion which is 20% of total contributions). France has also

allocated €200 million for humanitarian aid both in Ukraine and in neighboring countries where

the largest number of refugees have been deployed. On top of that, 100,000 Ukrainians have

been taken under the temporary protection system and 20,000 of them have been unrolled in

the French education system. (The Embassy of France in Washington, 2023)

France's long-term involvement in mediation on the Donbas issue, as well as France's direct

actions during the war, are dictated by the idea of democratic freedom, as well as the desire to

bring long-term peace to the European continent. The variety of activities - both diplomatic and

in the form of economic assistance - shows how important it is for France to achieve a favorable

outcome in the war with Ukraine.

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Position

In this light, France sets out its intention on supporting Ukraine fully and strengthening

cooperation to defend principles of freedom and rule of law. France will continue to provide

Ukraine with all the support they need to exercise their right to self-defence and to preserve

their freedom, sovereignty and independence.

1. Increase military aid including air defense systems - both at a national and at the

European level (through the European Peace Facility)

2. A call to end the war before the conflict enters the second year

3. The requirement to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international

law committed in Ukraine through independent national or international investigations

and prosecutions to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.

4. Demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its

military forces from the territory of Ukraine and called for a cessation of hostilities”

(UN General Assembly, 2023).

5. Remove Russia’s use of veto power

We hope that all members share our optimism and firm belief in the need for a new and effective

mechanism for bringing about global peace and stability. An immediate resolution to this

ongoing conflict is much needed to not only reach a peaceful solution but to eliminate any

military threat from both parties. The above resolutions will bring a peaceful solution to the

Ukraine war and will bring justice to the Ukrainian civilians.

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Bibliography

De Riviere, N. (2023). Ukraine: The Peaceful Settlement of the War Depends on Russia.

France ONU. Available from

https://onu.delegfrance.org/ukraine-the-peaceful-settlement-of-the-war-depends-on-russia

[Accessed 23 March 2023].

The Embassy of France in Washington (2023). France’s Assistance to Ukraine – February

2023. Available from https://franceintheus.org/IMG/pdf/france_s_assistance_to_ukraine_-

_february_2023.pdf [Accessed 21 March 2023].

France Diplomacy (2023). Understanding the situation in Ukraine since 2014. Available from

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/ukraine/situation-in-ukraine-what-

is/understanding-the-situation-in-ukraine-since-2014/ [Accessed 21 March 2023].

France24 (2023). Macron to tackle ‘means to ensure Russia’s defeat’ at Munich security.

Available from https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230215-live-un-appeals-for-5-6-

billion-in-aid-for-ukraine-in-2023-as-war-rages-on [Accessed 21 March 2023].

UN General Assembly. (2023). The UN General Assembly calls for immediate end to war in

Ukraine. UN General Assembly. Available from

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/02/1133847 [Accessed 21 March 2023].

United Nations Security Council. (2023). Concerned by Restrictions on Religious Freedom,

Speakers Warn against Using Religion to Fuel Conflict, as Security Council Considers

Situation in Ukraine. United Nations Security Council. Available from

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15178.doc.htm [Accessed 22 March 2023].

Zerka P. (2022). The case for defense: How Russia’s war on Ukraine has proved France

right. European Council on Foreign Relations. Available from https://ecfr.eu/article/the-case-

for-defence-how-russias-war-on-ukraine-has-proved-france-right/ [Accessed 21 March 2023].