EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Meeting on Russia’s veto against amendments to UN Security resolution 2774

*In accordance with Resolution 65/276 (Participation of the European Union in the work of the United Nations). 

President, colleagues,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. 

The Candidate Countries Montenegro*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

I want to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting. 

We are here today because of Russia’s decision to twice veto amendments to UNSC resolution 2774 on peace in Ukraine, as proposed by the European members of the Security Council. The first veto blocked a reference to the Security Council’s commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This amendment received nine positive votes. The second Russian veto obstructed a call for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter. This proposal received eleven positive votes. 

Let it be clear: Russia is abusing its veto power to block references to the principle of territorial integrity and to peace in line with the UN Charter. For over three years now, it has bombed Ukraine’s cities on a daily basis as part of its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression. And it is abusing its privileged position at the UN to avoid being called out. 

The UN membership cannot allow such behavior to pass. Russia is undermining the core principles of our multilateral system. An aggression is an aggression, wherever it occurs. We cannot accept an equivalence between the aggressor and the victim of aggression. We cannot accept a world where ‘might is right’, where the power of law is replaced by the power of guns. We believe in a world based on rules. 

The time for peace is now. The EU supports all meaningful efforts to bring an end to Russia’s war of aggression. International law, including the UN Charter, must be the reference point for any peace in Ukraine, or elsewhere.

In two resolutions adopted last Monday with overwhelming majorities, the UN General Assembly calls for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all member states who supported the resolution entitled ‘advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine’. It was an important step to highlight the necessity of the rule of law as well as the global consequences of Russia’s aggression.

The General Assembly has called for an end to the war this year. By vetoing constructive amendments to resolutions on Europe’s security, proposed by the European members of the Security Council, Russia is obstructing the path to peace. It is ignoring what was decided by the General Assembly. 

No one wants and needs peace in Ukraine more than the Ukrainian people. No one has a larger stake in European security than Europeans. And no one can afford to ignore the devastating consequences of this war for regional and global stability. The EU will continue to work with all our partners on a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that ensures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. 

A peace that rewards the aggressor increases the risk for any country to face similar aggression. A peace in line with the Charter, however, ensures a safer world for all of us. 

I thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.