“Kenya is gravely concerned by the announcement made by the Russian federation to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as independent states. In our considered view, this action and announcement breaches the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We do not deny that there may be serious security concerns in these regions. But they cannot justify today’s recognition of these regions as independent states. Not when there are multiple diplomatic tracks available and underway that have the ability to offer peaceful solutions. Mr. President, this situation echoes our history. Kenya and almost every African country was birthed by the ending of empire. Our borders are not of our own drawing. They were drawn in the distant colonial metropoles of London, Paris, and Lisbon, with no regard for the ancient nations that they cleaved apart.

Today across the border of every single African country, live our countrymen, with whom we share deep historical, cultural, and linguistic bonds. Our independence, had we chosen to support states, on the basis of ethnic, racial, or religious homogeneity, we would still be waging bloody wars these many decades later. Instead, we agreed that we would settle for the borders that we inherited. But we would still pursue continental, political, economic, and legal integration. Rather than form nations that look ever backwards into history, with a dangerous nostalgia, we chose to look forward, to a greatness none of our many nations and peoples had ever known. We chose to follow the rules of the organization of African unity, and the United Nations charter. Not because our border satisfied us, but because we wanted something greater, forged in peace. We reject irredentism and expansionism on any basis, including racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural factors. We reject it again today.

Kenya registers its strong concern and opposition to the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states. We further, strongly condemn the trend in the last few decades of powerful states, including members of this security council (UN) breaching international law, with little regard. Multilateralism lies on its deathbed tonight. It has been assaulted today, as it has been by other powerful states in the recent past. We call on all members to rally behind the secretary general, in asking him to rally us all to the standard that defends multilateralism. We also call on him to bring his good officers to bear, to help the concerned parties resolve this situation by peaceful means. Let me conclude, Mr. President, by reaffirming Kenya’s respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.”