“First of all, we definitely see the role of all ASEAN countries in supporting Ukraine. First, this is about sovereignty and territorial integrity. Do support Ukraine on this,” she said when met here.

“We are grateful to your respective countries who voted in favour of, or supported the respective resolutions,” she said.

The conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022 and has continued despite international diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities.

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ASEAN has consistently called for restraint, dialogue and a peaceful resolution in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

Beyond their positions in international organisations, Betsa also stressed the importance Ukraine places on engaging with countries beyond Europe.

“It is very important for Ukraine that many partners from the Global South, Africa, Asia, and Latin America visit Ukraine and see where they are now and see the consequences, the devastating consequences,” she said.

Against this backdrop, she said the war should not be viewed solely as a regional conflict.

“We are not protecting only Ukraine; we are not protecting even only Europe; it goes far beyond,” she said.

Betsa also pointed to the wider implications of the conflict, citing disruptions to maritime navigation in the Black Sea and their impact on food security, including supplies to Africa and other countries.

“So, this is not only about Ukraine,” she said.

In this context, she said sovereignty and territorial integrity were crucial to every country and fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law.

“If we allow any country to violate these principles, I mean, what is the essence of the UN Charter, and how relevant are all other international organisations if they cannot uphold, if we as an international community cannot uphold the UN Charter?” she asked.

Betsa further linked these principles to the broader international system, saying support for Ukraine was also about defending the international legal order and international security architecture.

“So it is very important that all countries who support international law ... support Ukraine, because this is also about supporting international law, supporting international legal order and supporting international security architecture,” she said.

At the same time, she warned against attempts to divide the world into spheres of influence and a return to an era in which the “rule of force” prevailed over the rule of law.

She also raised concerns about information narratives surrounding the conflict, cautioning against propaganda, disinformation and misinformation, saying such narratives remained strong in many countries, including those in the Global South.

-- BERNAMA