Geneva, 8 July 2024

Dear ladies and gentlemen!

As Prime Minister of the Government and Chairman of the State Committee for the De-Occupation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the invitation and the opportunity to participate in this conference. Your work in organizing this important event deserves the highest praise. Your efforts contribute to the strengthening of international cooperation and exchange of experience, which is especially important in our times. I am confident that the results of our joint work will contribute to further progress and strengthening of international relations.

Today I want to begin my speech not with the history of the centuries-long struggle of the Chechen people for independence, but with the war in Ukraine, from which I came to this conference yesterday.

This crisis is not a local problem. It affects the entire international community because it threatens the foundations of a world order based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and human rights. Russia, using military force, has invaded a sovereign State, violating principles that we all have an obligation to defend.

Russia’s military action in Ukraine has resulted in countless human suffering. Thousands of civilians have been killed, millions have been forced to flee their homes, towns and villages have been destroyed. This is a humanitarian catastrophe that requires an immediate and decisive response from the international community.

For us Chechens, this situation is particularly painful. We know what it means to suffer aggression, violence and occupation. We know the price of freedom and independence, and we cannot stand aside when another people is experiencing similar tragedies. Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, who are showing incredible courage and resilience in this struggle.

Units of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria are today fighting as part of the international legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Although our homeland is under temporary occupation, we are fighting in Ukraine because it is there that the fate of all humanity is being decided. We realize that today’s world is divided, just as it was during the Second World War. The world after this war will no longer be the same as it was after the Second World War. We are on the threshold of great changes, and we must be ready for them.

Democratic reforms in Russia went downhill not yesterday and not today. We all witnessed how Russia began its departure from democratic reforms after it attacked the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Some 300,000 people died in that brutal war, 42,000 of whom were children. The Western world, following its morality and logic, believed that this was a forced measure in the process of developing democracy in Russia. However, this was a delusion. The world did not realize that this was the essence of the Russian empire, which was alien to democratic reforms. It only needed time and Western resources for rebirth and revenge.

Today we can say that there is, in fact, a third world war going on. This conflict affects not only Ukraine and Russia, but the whole world. In many countries there is an economic recession, instability is growing, social and political tensions are increasing. The conflict is expanding and taking on increasingly global proportions.

The world, and the United Nations in particular, must think today about the future of humankind. We need to rethink and strengthen international institutions so that they can effectively prevent such conflicts in the future. We need to create conditions in which aggression and violence will not be possible.

Our struggle, the struggle of the Chechen people, is reminiscent of the Resistance movement led by Charles de Gaulle in France during the Second World War. Back then, the true voice of France was heard through de Gaulle, who was accepted into the anti-Hitler coalition despite his lack of control over the territory. The collaborationist Vichy government collaborated with Hitler, but the true voice of France was de Gaulle’s.

Today, we, Chechens under occupation but fighting in the anti-Putin coalition, are also the true voice of the Chechen people. We hope that here, in the UN building, this voice will sound special and will be heard by all members of the United Nations.

After Russia failed to execute a blitzkrieg and take Kiev in three days, the war dragged on for two and a half years with no clear victories for Russia. As the military campaign continued, Russia faced increased Western coalition support for Ukraine. Under these circumstances, Russia has an interest in destabilizing the world to divert international attention from supporting the Ukrainian people.

One of the clearest examples of such destabilization was the recent conflict in the Middle East. It is quite obvious that the beneficiary of this destabilization is Vladimir Putin. The situation in the Middle East has contributed to the redistribution of resources and attention of the world community, which ultimately weakened the focus on the events in Ukraine.

Using and supporting extremist groups fits into the Kremlin’s long-term strategy of creating chaos and disunity on a global scale. This not only distracts the international community from the war in Ukraine, but also weakens the West by forcing it to allocate forces and resources to several conflicts simultaneously.

In pursuit of global destabilization, Russia is counting on decreased support for Ukraine and the possibility of improving its position in this protracted conflict. However, such actions lead to an even greater escalation of tensions in the world, jeopardizing the security and stability of multiple regions.

We are following with deep concern the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The violence and suffering endured by civilians require an immediate and decisive response. We are opposed to any form of violence and terror, regardless of the slogans or justifications behind it. Its victims are civilians, including the elderly, women and children. Such actions not only fail to resolve the conflict, but also cause irreparable damage to human life and dignity. We call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to cease hostilities immediately.

The way out of this long-standing conflict in the Middle East may be the implementation of the UN resolution on the establishment of a Palestinian state. This solution will not only resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also reduce the level of tension in the region, which in turn will reduce the opportunities for external players to use the situation to their advantage. The establishment of a Palestinian State will be an important step towards peace and stability in the Middle East.

The government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria has reasonable suspicions that Vladimir Putin used Ramzan Kadyrov to finance terrorist organizations. These suspicions are supported by the fact that Kadyrov has concentrated significant financial resources in the Middle East, including billions of dollars that could be used to support extremist groups.

Ramzan Kadyrov and his religious extremist sect Akhmat are accused of committing crimes against humanity in the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and in Ukraine. Their actions include gross human rights violations, murder and torture of civilians, and financing of terrorist groups.

We welcome the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) announcement of the international wanted list for high-ranking Russian figures such as Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, and Valery Gerasimov. The decision reflects the serious allegations made against these individuals in the context of international crimes. Such a decision inevitably provokes strong political reactions both in Russia and in the international arena, emphasizing the importance of international justice and the principle that even high-ranking leaders are not immune from prosecution for serious crimes. It should be remembered that a wanted notice is the initial stage of the judicial process. In any case, this event emphasizes the importance of the rule of law in the international arena and the desire of the world community for accountability for serious crimes.

In this regard, we hope that the political leadership of Ukraine will soon decide to establish an international tribunal against Ramzan Kadyrov and his terrorist religious sect Akhmat. We call for the appointment of a special representative with whom we will work to coordinate efforts to bring these criminals to justice. The establishment of an international tribunal is an important step towards restoring justice and ensuring peace and security in the region. We stand ready to provide all necessary information and to cooperate with international organizations to achieve that goal.

The international community must unite and take decisive action to stop this aggression. We must strengthen sanctions, provide the necessary support to Ukraine and send a clear message: aggression will never go unanswered. We must do everything possible to restore peace and justice.

History teaches us that evil triumphs when good people fail to act. We cannot afford the luxury of inaction. We must act now to protect our common home, planet Earth, from the destructive forces of aggression and violence.

As I stand here in the United Nations building, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. This respected institution has taken a historic step that will go down in the history of the Chechen people by recognizing the territory of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as temporarily occupied by Russia.

This act of recognition is an important and courageous step towards justice and freedom for the Chechen people. It symbolizes international solidarity and support in the struggle for human rights and self-determination.

I urge all UN members to support this initiative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and also recognize the occupation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Your recognition and support will send an important signal of the international community’s unwavering commitment to the principles of justice, freedom and respect for the sovereignty of peoples.

Recognition of the temporary occupation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria would not only underline the importance of international law, but would also be an act of solidarity with the Chechen people, who have been fighting for their freedom and independence for many years.

In conclusion, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those countries and peoples who support Ukraine in these difficult times. Your solidarity and support is a source of hope and strength for all of us. Let us work together to create a better future where peace, justice and respect for every human being prevail.

Thank you for your attention.

Akhmed Zakayev, Chairman of the Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria