UN Security Council: Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine

Check against delivery

President,

I have the honor of delivering this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States. 

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

I thank the Chinese Presidency for convening this meeting. Thank you to the briefers for their updates.

We convene today as a result of Russia’s latest escalation in its unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine. 

Last Friday we heard the Russian representative attempt to justify his government’s actions with far-fetched stories of Ukrainian neo-Nazis. Its so-called ‘Special Military Operation’ was supposed to last for three days. Four years and an estimated 1,3 million Russian casualties later, it has still not achieved its objectives. 

Russia does not allow the independent verification of the events in Starobilsk. It has consistently denied access to the temporarily occupied territories for all international monitoring mechanisms. There is no independent journalism in Russia and the occupied territories, let alone freedom of expression. The government shuts down much of the internet out of fear of its own citizens. If Russia wants us to believe its allegations, it needs to allow access to an independent investigation. 

Ukraine, by contrast, has systematically cooperated with international monitoring mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, as well as OSCE and Council of Europe institutions. Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine are credibly documented, while Russia does everything in its power to cover up the reality in the territory it controls.

Frustrated by the lack of progress on the battlefield, it is increasingly resorting to massive aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities and their population. On Saturday night alone Russia’s attack caused more than 100 civilian casualties, a number which would have been much higher if it was not for the formidable efforts of Ukraine’s air defence. Among the buildings damaged by Russia’s horrific attacks were religious and educational facilities, a waste water treatment plant, international media outlets, the National Art Museum, the Chornobyl Museum, the Kyiv School of Economics and the Kyiv Opera. The use of nuclear capable Oreshnik missiles constitute another highly problematic escalation. Its repeated threats against foreign diplomatic representations in Kyiv are totally unacceptable. Its repeated threats against foreign diplomatic representations in Kyiv are totally unacceptable. Russia’s hypocritical claims that it targets military objectives ring hollow once again. 

In recent days, Russia has further debased itself, hitting warehouses of WFP and UNHCR in Dnipro, killing two humanitarian workers and destroying millions of euros worth of humanitarian supplies for people on the frontline of its war of aggression. Let me therefore repeat: international humanitarian law must be respected. All attacks against humanitarian personnel and objects, civilians and civilian infrastructure must cease. 

The EU supports a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire as well as a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law, the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions. We are actively supporting diplomatic efforts to this end and we once again urge all members of this Council to work with us in pressuring Russia’s leadership to accept a ceasefire and finally engage in good faith. We must work together to bring Russia to the negotiating table. We have heard from Ukraine that they are ready. 

President,

I also reiterate the EU’s urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return of all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children in line with the December resolution of the UN General Assembly. We furthermore call for the complete exchange of prisoners of war and the release of all unlawfully detained persons. 

President,

The EU stands in solidarity with its Member States and we reject Russia’s disinformation campaign, supported by Belarus, following airspace violations in the Nordic-Baltic region. We strongly condemn Russia’s threats of the use of force directed at Latvia and other countries in the region. 

Russia’s aggression will not stand. Its attempted illegal annexation will not stand. Its leaders will face accountability for their failing attempt to change borders by force. And Ukraine can continue to count on our support for its sovereignty, for its independence, and for its territorial integrity, as it exercises its inherent right to self-defense in line with Article 51 of the Charter.

Thank you.

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