Diplomats stage walk-out when Russia’s Lavrov addresses Conference on Disarmament

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addresses with a pre-recorded video message the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on March 1, 2022. (Fabrice COFFRINI / POOL / AFP)
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addresses with a pre-recorded video message the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on March 1, 2022. (Fabrice COFFRINI / POOL / AFP)

Ukraine’s ambassador and diplomats from a wide number of countries stage a walkout as Russia’s foreign minister addresses the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

The diplomats stand up and leave the room when Sergei Lavrov’s pre-recorded video message begins to play, in protest at Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ambassadors and diplomats leave while Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (on screen) speaks via a pre-recorded video message at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 1, 2022. (SALVATORE DI NOLFI / POOL / AFP)

Ukrainian Ambassador Yevheniia Filipenko is among the numerous diplomats who file out as the video began playing, leaving the room almost empty.

Outside they gather in front of a Ukrainian flag and break into applause that could be heard in the chamber where Lavrov’s speech continues, with only a handful of ambassadors from countries including Yemen, Syria, Venezuela and Tunisia remaining to hear him.

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