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People around the world are protesting against the violence in Ukraine, like here in Melbourne
Photo: Sydney Low / imago images/ZUMA Wire
The head of the Russian delegation at a UN climate meeting in Paris has apologized for the Russian attack on Ukraine.
This is reported by the US newspaper »Washington Post« and the news agency AFP.
After an impassioned statement from his Ukrainian colleague on the situation in her country, Oleg Anisimov surprisingly declared that he wanted to "apologize on behalf of all Russians for the inability to prevent this conflict," several sources reported after the closing session of the 195th Member States of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
"Those who see what is happening cannot find any justification for this attack on Ukraine," the sources quoted from the English-language translation of Anisimov's speech.
Accordingly, Anisimov expressed his "enormous admiration" for the commitment of the Ukrainian delegation, which took part in the negotiations despite the war in their home country.
He also pointed out that the meeting focused on “scientific and not political issues”.
The Russian head of delegation had spoken in Russian at the online conference of IPCC countries and AFP did not have access to his original contribution.
When asked by AFP, Anisimov made it clear that his words should not be understood as an "official statement by the Russian delegation".
Rather, "they express my personal opinion and attitude."
Anisimov takes a “personal risk”.
Anisimov, who pointed out that the meeting focused on "scientific and not political issues," expressed his admiration for the commitment of the Ukrainian delegation, which took part in the negotiations despite the war in their homeland, recalled one of the participants.
Delegates and observers were clearly impressed by Anisimov's contribution, as reported by half a dozen witnesses.
"He knows he's taking a personal risk, it was a very sincere message," said one attendee.
The 195 IPCC member states spent two weeks summarizing the second part of the IPCC report, which deals with the serious consequences of climate change for humans and nature.
The almost 4,000-page report is to be published on Monday.
tfb/AFP