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, as well as Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.
I thank the Colombian Presidency for convening this meeting. Thank you to the briefers for their updates.
As we speak, Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine is entering 1579 days. The UN has verified that it has caused a staggering number of over 62,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine since February 2022, in open violation of Russia’s obligations under international humanitarian law.
What the Kremlin thought would take just a few days -- namely invade its neighbor against the very principles of the UN Charter and subvert Ukraine to its authority -- has now lasted longer than the First World War. For all the destruction it has caused, Russia has not achieved its goals on the battlefield. Instead, its war today is causing an estimated 1000 deaths and injuries a day to invading Russian soldiers.
But Russia doesn’t seem to care.
When every other member of this Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire or a cessation of hostilities, Russia instead intensifies its attacks. Just in May, Russia launched a record 8150 long-range drones and 211 missiles against Ukraine. It doesn’t care.
Since the start of its invasion, according to independent verification by UN agencies, Russia has damaged or destroyed over 1600 schools, 3000 health care facilities, and 600 churches. Last week, a Russian drone hit the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO world heritage site that is considered one of the world’s most significant sites for Orthodox Christians. International humanitarian law forbids Russia from attacking schools, health care facilities and cultural sites. It doesn’t care.
For the fourth year in a row, the UN Secretary-General has blacklisted Russia’s armed forces for committing grave violations against children. After impartial investigations by the UN, the SG has now also listed Russia for conflict-related sexual violence. It doesn’t care.
Behind all these damning facts and numbers are mothers, fathers, children, human lives and futures lost or destroyed. But rather than change its behavior and cease its violations, Russia doubles down on its war and even plays the victim. It questions Ukraine’s inherent right to defend itself by striking Russia’s military. It doesn’t care.
So, there is no alternative than ensuring that it stops, including through the power of diplomatic persuasion exerted by the Members of this Security Council.
Colleagues,
Russia must end its war of aggression and engage in serious peace negotiations without delay. We need a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire, and a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter. We all, collectively, need to work together to achieve this goal. Ukraine wants it. Russia must too.
At our last meeting in this Chamber, 14 Council members called for a ceasefire or a cessation of hostilities. All but one.
Enough is enough. Time for a ceasefire is now.
Thank you.
- North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.