EU Statement – UN Security Council: Ukraine
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President,
I have the honor of delivering this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.
The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.
I thank the DRC Presidency for convening this meeting. Thank you to the briefers for their factual updates.
Day after day, Russia continues its illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It doesn’t care about the Ukrainian civilians it kills, or the Ukrainian children it deports, forcibly transfers and indoctrinates, in blatant violation of international law and basic human dignity. It doesn’t even care about the 1,000 of its own soldiers a day that die in pursuit of its illegal war of aggression. And it certainly doesn’t care about the UN Charter that it tramples over or the UN Resolutions and ICJ Court rulings that it defies.
And it obviously doesn’t care about what its colleagues on this Security Council have to say. Because, while all other Council members consistently call for an end to the killing, Russia intensifies its bombings, deflects the blame, and even plays the victim. It is high time that Russia understands that borders cannot be changed by force and that aggressors cannot be rewarded. Not in Ukraine, not anywhere.
After almost four and a half years of bloodshed and destruction, Russia has patently not achieved its goals on the battlefield. By every standard it has set for itself, Russia is losing this war. Some reports estimate its losses at 1.5 million. In frustration, it has intensified its missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. It has killed dozens of civilians in the past week alone. In Kyiv, a hotel was damaged housing diplomatic staff, including 20 colleagues of the EU Delegation. Fortunately, none of our colleagues was injured. Such violence cannot be excused, or tolerated. Attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and in blatant violation of IHL.
This consequences of Russia’s aggression are global. This week at HLPF we discuss how to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and how to mobilize the necessary financing many countries need. But rather than share its portion of global development financing -even the slightest portion, Russia chooses to dedicate almost 40% of its budget on military and security expenditure. It uses this budget not only for its aggression against Ukraine but to threaten the security of EU citizens and regional stability.
Colleagues,
The EU supports a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on international law, including the UN Charter. We support all diplomatic efforts to this end. Last year this Council adopted a resolution imploring a swift end to the conflict, which Russia – remember -- supported. Right after, Ukraine committed itself to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. More than 15 months ago. But time and again, Ukraine’s readiness for talks has been met with Russian drones and missiles.
Russia must heed the call from the international community and agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire. Humanitarian relief efforts and confidence-building measures, notably the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of civilian detainees, must continue. Russia must come to the negotiating table and engage sincerely to stop its war of aggression.
In the meantime, the EU will continue to increase pressure on Russia’s war economy. We urge all countries, including the members of this Council, to cease any assistance to Russia, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. We condemn the continued military support provided to Russia by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK.
The EU will continue to support Ukraine as it bravely stands up for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. We call on others to do so as well.
Thank you.
- North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.