EU Statement – UN Security Council: Ukraine
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President,
Thank you for convening this important meeting and for giving the European Union the opportunity to take the floor.
The Candidate Countries, 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 Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.
I would like to thank ASG Msuya for highlighting, once again, the dramatic humanitarian consequences of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine.
Three main points require special stressing:
First, Russia must uphold international law and cease its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s civilians, civilian infrastructure and densely populated areas now. While its President states Russia can agree to a limited ceasefire, its continued military actions demonstrate the contrary. Every day, successive deliberate attacks and aerial bombardments cause more death and destruction. Its campaign of systematic air strikes against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian critical infrastructure violates international humanitarian law and must stop immediately. We have heard from OCHA the impact on the most vulnerable households. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, these attacks are not accidental, but have been of a widespread and systematic nature. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has further documented over 12.000 civilians killed over the past three years, of which over 600 were children. There can be no impunity for these atrocities. Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression and for other most serious crimes under international law.
Second, full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access needs to be ensured. We commend the efforts of OCHA and its humanitarian partners in providing assistance to those in need. The UN has repeatedly highlighted the challenge of reaching civilians in areas under temporary Russian occupation. This means an estimated 1.5 million people are being cut off from humanitarian aid. While it wages a war of aggression, Russia shows no concern for the wellbeing of civilians in the areas it temporarily occupies. In accordance with international humanitarian law, it must facilitate full, safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for all civilians in need.
As is the case for all crises around the world, the EU and its member states will continue to contribute generously to the UN’s humanitarian response, also in Ukraine. We call on all nations to step up their support as well. The EU remains committed to support Ukraine’s repair, recover and reconstruction, in coordination with our international partners. The Ukraine Recovery Conference in July 2025, hosted by Italy, will be important in this context.
Third, the EU reiterates its support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and international law. One month ago, the General Assembly gave an overwhelming message to call on the aggressor to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine. We welcome all efforts towards reaching a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter and international law. We welcome the efforts by the United States and Saudi Arabia in hosting the ongoing discussions. The proposal of a ceasefire – if accepted by Russia – can be an important step in this direction. It is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace. The EU is ready to play its full part in supporting upcoming steps, together with Ukraine and other partners. As we have stressed repeatedly, there can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no negotiations that affect European security without Europe.
In closing, I reaffirm the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity applicable to all nations.
Thank you.