Zelensky Expresses Outrage Over Civilian Massacre, Demands Russia's Expulsion from UN Security Council

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "The Russian military crushed civilians inside cars with tanks purely for fun. They cut off arms and legs and beheaded people."

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, attending the United Nations Security Council meeting, compared the Russian military to the Islamic extremist terrorist group Islamic State (IS) and urged Russia's expulsion from the Security Council.

On the 5th (local time), President Zelensky condemned Russia's invasion as "the most horrific war crime committed in Ukraine since World War II" during a live video speech at the UN Security Council meeting.

The speech took place amid growing global outrage over the horrific acts of the Russian military, including the discovery of hundreds of civilians shot dead in Bucha, a city located north of Kyiv, Ukraine.

President Zelensky, who visited Bucha in person the day before, reported on the 'Bucha massacre,' where at least 300 civilians are known to have been killed by the Russian military. He also released a 90-second video showing the bodies of children and other civilians who were victims in various parts of Ukraine, including Bucha, Irpin, Dymerka, and Mariupol.

President Zelensky stated, "They were killed in their apartments and homes by grenade explosions," and "The Russian military crushed civilians inside cars with tanks purely for fun." He also mentioned, "Women were raped and then killed in front of their children," and "They deliberately killed anyone and wiped out entire families, attempting to burn the bodies."

He strongly condemned the Russian military, saying, "These acts are no different from other terrorists like Daesh (the Arabic acronym for IS)."

In particular, President Zelensky called for Russia's expulsion from the UN Security Council. This also expressed anger at the current situation where the aggressor exercises veto power in the Security Council.

President Zelensky raised his voice, saying, "We are dealing with a country that uses the Security Council veto as a right to kill. They must be expelled from the permanent membership so they cannot block decisions on their invasion." He also criticized the Security Council, saying, "Where is the security that the Security Council is supposed to guarantee? It was not there (in Bucha)," and "If there is no other alternative, the next option is for you to disband it."

He asked, "Are you ready to close the doors of the United Nations? Is the era of international law over?" and emphasized, "If not, you must act immediately."

Ant?nio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, who attended the meeting that day, called for "an immediate independent investigation that can ensure substantive accountability" regarding the Bucha incident.