Marking Two Years Since Russian Federation’s Full-Scale Invasion, Secretary-General Stresses Charter, International Law Guides to Peace in Ukraine
Ukraine’s Sovereignty, Independence, Territorial Integrity Must Be Upheld, He Adds
The ultimate path to peace in Ukraine lies in upholding the Charter of the United Nations and international law as guides to a world free of war, the Organization’s top official told the Security Council today, declaring that the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour — started two years ago — directly violated both.
“It is high time for peace — a just peace, based on the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” said Secretary-General António Guterres, adding: “Scorning the Charter has been the problem. Honouring it is the solution.”
Detailing the war’s consequences — more than 10,500 lives lost, nearly 4 million people displaced, infrastructure destroyed and 14.5 million people in need of humanitarian aid — he urged a future-oriented solution. “All borders are the result of history,” he observed, adding that, while agreeing on the past is difficult, agreeing on the future is both “less difficult” and “more important”.
He stressed that it is therefore time to recommit to the Charter, underscoring the need to uphold the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
Today’s meeting featured the participation of 24 countries, including non-Council members — many of whom were represented by ministers dispatched from their capitals. In the ensuing debate, speakers took stock of the conflict two years on, discussing both its direct consequences for people living in the two warring States as well as its spillover effects on those living beyond their borders.
Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said that, as he spoke, another air raid was taking place in Ukraine, with a residential building in Odesa hit less than an hour ago. Two years since its invasion, Moscow’s name is synonymous with aggression, war and barbarism. Ukraine wants peace more than any other nation. However, he declared: “We will not allow Russia to kill us freely on the road to peace, nor will we ever accept any offer to surrender or to concede our lands and freedoms under the guise of peace.”
The Russian Federation’s representative reiterated that the special military operation began two years ago, after 14,000 people in Donbas became the victims of the neo-Nazi regime installed in Kyiv in 2014. He depicted the ongoing conflict as a proxy war, where the United States, European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are using Ukrainian hands against his country. Ukraine is losing, but “perhaps, the most important loser is the European Union itself”, he said, noting that the countries in the bloc risk becoming theatres for military confrontation.
On that, China’s representative said that the situation that Europe faces today is closely linked with repeated NATO expansion since the end of the cold war, encouraging the bloc “to do some soul-searching” and refrain from instigating confrontation. He also emphasized that the spillover effects of the crisis must be proactively managed, noting that “it is wrong to instrumentalize or weaponize the world’s economy”.
“This is not only a European issue, nor just an issue of the so-called ‘Russia and the West’ — any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world,” said Tsuji Kiyoto, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. While respecting countries’ peace-seeking efforts, he stressed that it is inappropriate “to equate the aggressor and the victim, and to demand diplomatic efforts on both sides as if both sides are at fault”.
Similarly, the representative of the United States emphasized that only one party is the aggressor in this war, and only one party can end it. If the Russian Federation puts down its weapons today, the war would end. “If Ukraine puts down its weapons, Ukraine would be over,” she emphasized, adding: “The list of Russian violations and abuses could unfortunately go on and on.” On that, Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, declared: “We will spare no effort in pursuing full accountability for the painfully long list of atrocities and other international crimes.”
Meanwhile, David Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, observed that Moscow’s military is being drained of modern equipment, stating: “You’re having to rely on poor quality shells from Pyongyang. And you’ve sent a generation of Russian boys into the meat-grinder.” Adding that, on 22 February, his country imposed further sanctions against the Russian Federation’s military-industrial complex and those enablers seeking to keep it running, he declared that “Britain will not falter” in its support to Ukraine.
Ecuador’s delegate, for his part, warned that worsening geopolitical tensions raise the possibility of escalation into a global conflict — “the most serious threat to our existence”. While demanding that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces, he urged the parties involved to consider, in good faith, all possibilities leading to a peaceful resolution.
MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND SECURITY OF UKRAINE
Point of Order
The representative of the Russian Federation, raising a point of order, said that the list of speakers is crowded with non-members of the Council calling themselves the Foreign Ministers of European Union countries. However, in that bloc — with rare exceptions — there are no independent national foreign policies. Accordingly, there are no Foreign Ministers — just officials who pretend to be such. The bloc’s entire foreign policy is in the hands of Brussels, which in turn is in the hands of Washington, D.C., he said, asking: “What added value will the carbon copies of the speeches of these officials have, except for the opportunity to show off on the TV screens of their countries, expressing support for their clients in Kyiv?”
Briefing
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized the importance of the Organization’s Charter and international law as the “guide to creating a world free from the scourge of war”. The Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine directly violated both. Two years on, and a decade since Moscow’s attempted illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the war in Ukraine remains an open wound at the heart of Europe. “It is high time for peace — a just peace, based on the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” he declared, underscoring the Charter’s unequivocal principle of sovereign equality between all Member States, as well as its prohibition against the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Rather, mechanisms to settle disputes peacefully are set out in Chapter VI of the instrument.
“All borders are the result of history,” he said, noting that many people living on one side have strong ethnic, cultural or other links to communities on the other. Colonial Powers divided the continent of Africa with the stroke of a pen — as they did in other parts of the world — but post-independence leaders understood that trying to change borders would open a Pandora’s box of bloodshed and feed even greater grievances. People agreeing on the past is extremely difficult, he observed, adding: “What is more important — and less difficult — is to help them agree on the future.” To do that, international law and Charter principles, including respect for territorial integrity and the political independence of States, are fundamental. “That is why the Russian invasion of Ukraine is such a dangerous precedent,” he asserted.
Noting that over 10,500 people have been killed — though the true figure is likely much higher — he reported that the UN has documented widespread and disturbing brutality: the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine found that civilians and prisoners have been tortured, and more than 200 cases of sexual violence have been perpetrated, mostly by Russian Federation forces. All perpetrators must be held to account. Further, over 14.5 million people inside Ukraine need humanitarian assistance, he deplored, urging donors to fully fund the $3.1 billion appeal to put the humanitarian response plan for Ukraine into practice. He also pointed out that the war is hurting the people of the Russian Federation, as thousands of young Russians are dying on the front lines and civilians hit by strikes in Russian Federation cities are also suffering.
The war is deepening geopolitical divides, fanning regional instability, shrinking the space available to address other urgent global issues and undermining the shared norms and values that make all safer, he warned, adding that the conflict also accelerated a global cost-of-living crisis that has hit developing countries the hardest. Further, the prospect of nuclear accident sends chills down spines around the world. Both warring parties must take all possible measures to prevent this, and in addition, the freedom and safety of navigation in the Black Sea must be ensured so that badly needed food and fertilizers can reach the global market. Two years on, enough is enough. “Scorning the Charter has been the problem; honouring it is the solution,” he said, underscoring the need to uphold the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Also stressing that “it is time to recommit to the Charter and renew respect for international law,” he concluded: “That is the path to peace and security — in Ukraine and around the world.”
Statements
TANJA FAJON, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, condemned the Russian Federation’s aggression as a blatant violation of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act on the inviolability of borders in Europe, also expressing full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. “While Ukraine has been attacked with artillery shells, drones and ballistic missiles, the rest of the world has been attacked with narratives,” she said. However, there is just one narrative: that of civilian suffering, detained civilians, sexual violence, deported children and destroyed infrastructure. “Regardless of our vicinity, we did not see this war coming,” she said, nevertheless declaring: “We will spare no effort in pursuing full accountability for the painfully long list of atrocities and other international crimes.” Applauding Ukraine for its bravery and resolve, she reiterated Slovenia’s commitment to standing with that country until it reaches a just, lasting and sustainable peace.
STÉPHANE SÉJOURNÉ, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, stated that the Russian Federation has been waging a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine and its people for two years, in addition to seeking its territory for 10 years. Moscow alone chose war — and therefore bears sole responsibility — and is also violating Council resolutions by using drones purchased from Iran and missiles supplied by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as by illegally occupying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant while mining its surroundings. The war is also inhumane, he emphasized, condemning massacres of civilians, the use of rape and torture as weapons of war and the deportation of Ukrainian children. These crimes must not go unpunished, and this sentiment underpins the two arrest warrants issued in 2023 by the International Criminal Court. While Ukraine defends its very survival, it offers peace through Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace formula. He underscored that, for its part, the Council must support the victory of the Charter of the United Nations.
DAVID CAMERON, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, recalled scenes of brave Ukrainians kissing their loved ones goodbye as they left to defend their homeland, as well as Russian mothers bidding farewell to their sons. This is occurring because Russian Federation President Vladimir V. Putin believes he can take territories, re-draw borders and exercise force to build his empire. He asked those present: “Will we let this stand?” Ukraine’s answer is evident in the courage that its President showed in 2022, as well as in the perseverance demonstrated by its people. And, while they continue to push the Russian Federation back, Moscow’s military is being drained of modern equipment, he observed, stating: “You’re having to rely on poor quality shells from Pyongyang. And you’ve sent a generation of Russian boys into the meat-grinder. What do you tell their mothers they died for?” He added that, on 22 February, his country imposed further sanctions against the Russian Federation’s military-industrial complex and those enablers seeking to keep it running. “Britain will not falter,” he declared.
IGNAZIO CASSIS, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, echoed the Secretary-General’s vision that “peace is our raison d'être”. Unfortunately, over the past two years, the Security Council has not fully assumed its responsibility to guarantee peace and security for Ukraine and its people. “Today, the loss of life runs into the thousands, the displaced number in the millions and the families torn apart are countless,” he said, noting that the repercussions — both in Europe and worldwide — are now evident in terms of food, energy and security. “What are we doing to ensure that the UN Charter is respected, the Geneva Conventions are no longer violated, humanity in war is assured and peace is restored?”, he asked, stressing that, despite all the frustration caused by this war “we must not give in to pessimism” but analyse and act on the facts to find any path to peace. To this end, in January 2023, Switzerland expressed its commitment to organizing a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine, he said, underscoring the need “to find the common denominator for our nations” and “to find a way of eventually bringing Ukraine and Russia on board”.
CHO TAE-YUL, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, noted that, two years after Russian Federation tanks crossed into Ukraine, there are no signs of Moscow’s unlawful actions abating as a generation of young Ukrainians and Russians perish. He recalled that his country’s President visited Ukraine in July 2023 to launch the “Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative”, which provided $140 million in humanitarian assistance, including demining equipment and emergency medical vehicles. Starting this year, Seoul will provide an aid package of $2.3 billion over several years. Expressing concern over emerging military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, he pointed out that, if the latter receives advanced military technology or oil shipments exceeding limits under Council resolutions in exchange, this would increase its ability to threaten security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. He strongly urged both parties to comply with relevant Council resolutions, all of which were unanimously adopted.
The representative of the United States recalled that her country and Albania called a late-night emergency meeting two years ago to discuss the imminent risk of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken came to the Council to lay out, in exacting detail, concerns that Moscow would soon invade its sovereign neighbour. Then, on 24 February 2022, while Council members called for diplomacy and de-escalation, President Putin openly chose war. “The list of Russian violations and abuses could unfortunately go on and on,” she deplored, stating that this senseless war has worsened global food and energy crises, caused incalculable environmental damage and undermined the global non-proliferation regime. If the Russian Federation puts down its weapons today, the war would end. “If Ukraine puts down its weapons, Ukraine would be over,” she emphasized. Only one party is the aggressor in this war, and only one party can end it — that was true two years ago, and it is true today. The United States has imposed new sanctions against the aggressor, she added.
TSUJI KIYOTO, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, condemning the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, stressed: “This is not only a European issue, nor just an issue of the so-called ‘Russia and the West’ — any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world.” Moscow’s attacks on critical infrastructure are not just destroying the Ukrainian people’s present, but also threaten their future. Additionally, he emphasized that Moscow’s procurement and use of ballistic missiles from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is “absolutely unacceptable”. Any transfer of weapons or related equipment between the two countries clearly violates relevant Council resolutions, he underscored, also voicing concern over any possible transfer of nuclear or ballistic-missile technology to Pyongyang. While respecting countries’ peace-seeking efforts, he stated that it is inappropriate “to equate the aggressor and the victim, and to demand diplomatic efforts on both sides as if both sides are at fault”.
The representative of Malta noted that the number of civilian casualties in Ukraine has significantly increased recently, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verifying that 158 civilians were killed and 483 injured solely in January. Since the beginning of the war, there have been over 30,000 civilian casualties and more than 14 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, while over 19,000 children have been deported or forcibly displaced. Further citing the impact on women and girls, she reaffirmed strong support for all ongoing accountability processes. Turning to Moscow’s termination of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative — and its blocking of Ukrainian grain exports and theft of grain from occupied Ukrainian territories — she spotlighted the European Union’s “Solidarity Lanes Action Plan”, which has allowed Ukraine to export 67 million tons of grain, oilseeds and related products since May 2022.
The representative of the Russian Federation said that another year has passed, Ukraine has completely failed in its loudly broadcast counter-offensive, and yet the West continues to pump weaponry into the Kyiv regime and encourage it to throw more Ukrainian lives into the flames of conflict. Spotlighting the “pseudo peace formula” being discussed in Copenhagen and Davos, he claimed that the West uses various tricks to drag countries from the Global South and East into these events. Asking what 2024 has brought for Ukraine, he said that the answer is hundreds of thousands of senseless victims, a looming collapse of its economy and a deep crisis of statehood and governance. Young people are “being nabbed on the streets, like animals, and are thrown into meat-grinder assaults to show the Western sponsors that their investments are bringing returns,” he said.
However, the truth is that the West is not interested in helping Ukraine, he stated, quoting the editor-in-chief of The Economist: “Giving Ukraine money is the cheapest way for the United States to strengthen its security. It is the Ukrainians who are fighting, it is they who are being killed. The US and Europe are supplying them with weapons. And in doing so, we are pushing back against Putin.” In this proxy war, where the United States, the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are using Ukrainian hands against the Russian Federation, it is Ukraine that loses. But, “perhaps, the most important loser is the European Union itself”, he added, as the countries in the bloc risk becoming theatres for military confrontation. Adding that 14,000 people in Donbas became victims of the neo-Nazi regime installed in 2014 in Kyiv, he insisted that this was the main reason for the start of the special military operation.
The representative of China underscored that efforts towards ending the compounded crisis in Ukraine should remain focused on a political settlement. The most pressing priorities are to cease hostilities, launch peace talks and restore peace, he observed, adding that any action conducive to peace is worth the collective effort. Nevertheless, “regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or expanding a military bloc”, and he said that the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly. The situation that Europe faces today is closely linked to repeated expansion by NATO since the end of the cold war, and he therefore encouraged NATO “to do some soul-searching” and refrain from instigating confrontation. He also emphasized that the spillover effects of the crisis must be proactively managed, noting that “it is wrong to instrumentalize or weaponize the world’s economy”.
The representative of Ecuador noted that the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine has devastated its people, disrupted economies and compromised global energy and food security. Further noting that it “has unleashed an unfathomable humanitarian crisis”, with psychological impact and trauma that will negatively affect several generations, he also reiterated the need to comply with the seven pillars of nuclear security. He spotlighted the adoption of six General Assembly resolutions that have reaffirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, calling for a cessation of hostilities and demanding that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces. Urging the parties involved to consider, in good faith, all possibilities leading to a peaceful resolution, he stressed that worsening geopolitical tensions raise the possibility of escalation into a global conflict — “the most serious threat to our existence”.
The representative of Mozambique observed that, two years since the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine intensified into a large-scale war in February 2022, the far-reaching impact of the ensuing global distress and instability cannot be overstated. Despite the substantial resources the Council has allocated to address this issue, the hard reality is that the conflict appears to be veering towards uncertainty as the severity of its consequences escalate ominously, he said, calling for a “significant course adjustment” with diplomacy assuming a central role. Therefore, he strongly encouraged a negotiated settlement of the conflict in line with the Charter of the United Nations. To this end, he urged the parties to cease hostilities without delay, to resume direct negotiations without preconditions and to engage in dialogue in good faith.
The representative of Algeria cautioned that reaching a sustainable peace in Ukraine “remains unattainable”. Voicing concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the impact of ongoing hostilities on civilians, he said that the loss of civilian lives and the suffering of refugees and internally displaced persons are “profoundly worrying”. As well, critical infrastructure — such as energy facilities and agri-food systems — were heavily impacted, with global consequences, notably in developing countries. Spotlighting the Council’s failure to pave the way for a consensual way out of this crisis, he underscored the need to deploy the efforts necessary to de-escalate tensions between the concerned parties. To achieve tangible progress, political will and more coordinated action by the international community are vital. “Equally important is the consistency of this Council in upholding its responsibility in the protection of civilians,” he said.
The representative of Sierra Leone cited the high cost of the conflict: according to OHCHR, civilian casualties in Ukraine have exceeded 30,000, with over 10,000 killed and 19,000 injured. Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that the destruction of residential buildings has left nearly 720,000 people with no access to adequate, safe housing. With the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimating that there are over 14.6 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance, he urged the parties to the conflict to allow unhindered access for humanitarian personnel. He further called for good-faith diplomatic efforts in pursuit of a peaceful resolution, with meaningful steps taken towards the immediate cessation of the hostilities and the parties engaging constructively to find a political and diplomatic solution as envisaged by Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.
The representative of Guyana, Council President for February, spoke in her national capacity to observe that the toll of what Moscow termed a “special military operation” has been the lives of over 10,000 civilians, the displacement of over 6 million Ukrainians and the violation of the United Nations Charter. All countries have felt the impact of this war to some degree, she said, pointing to challenges to the rules-based order; disruptions in food and energy prices, logistics and supply chains; and worsening hunger in the most vulnerable regions of the globe. She therefore called on the parties to respect the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality and to comply with their legal obligations. As well, she reiterated the call for the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and urged the parties to commit to a serious political and diplomatic process to end the conflict.
DMYTRO KULEBA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said that, as the Council meets, “there is another air raid on Ukraine taking place right now”. A residential building in Odesa was hit less than an hour ago, and two civilians are heavily wounded. Two years since its invasion, Moscow’s name is synonymous with aggression, war and barbarism. “Russia’s ugly face is the direct result of its impunity,” he said, noting that the country has no legal right to be present at the Council’s table. President Putin’s regime, which has been in place for 24 years, has already ruined millions of lives and launched or joined at least three major wars — approximately one war every eight years. “Russia acted every time this Council failed to act,” he asserted, noting that Moscow now trumpets what its propaganda calls “the liberation of Avdiivka”.
The city’s streets are covered with the corpses of the Russian Federation’s soldiers, he noted — “conquer at any cost, that is their strategy”. Stating that Moscow “has paid for the ruins of Avdiivka with the lives of at least 17,000 soldiers since October 2023”, he pointed out that “this is more casualties in a few months than in 10 years of the Soviet war in Afghanistan”. Immediately after occupying the city, Moscow committed new war crimes there, including killing or heavily wounding at least five Ukrainian prisoners of war. He also rejected Moscow’s attempts to evade responsibility by spreading lies regarding the recent ruling of the International Court of Justice. Ukraine wants peace more than any other nation. However, he declared: “We will not allow Russia to kill us freely on the road to peace, nor will we ever accept any offer to surrender or to concede our lands and freedoms under the guise of peace.”
XAVIER BETTEL, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action of Luxembourg, emphasized that comments claiming that the Russian Federation is liberating Ukraine from Nazis are “an affront to the Russians who died during World War Two to defeat Nazis”. To compare Ukrainians to Nazis is to rewrite history, and the military operation “is ‘special’ because it is unjustified”, he stressed. Recalling that, as part of a generation born after the war, “today, Germany is my friend, my partner”, he noted that those in the Republic of Korea must wonder every morning “what the dictator in the north is going to think or do”, and called it “sad” that the security situation depends upon where one is born. Pointing to his Russian and Polish background, he lamented that “today, many Russians are ashamed of their origins”, stating that it is never too late for that State to recognize its mistakes.
ANNALENA BAERBOCK, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, recalling that the Russian Federation’s representative asked why European representatives were participating in the meeting, responded: “You, Russia, broke the peace in Europe.” She cited Ukrainian victims of the war — including Oksana, “a surgeon who decided to operate on her own father when he was injured in Bucha” — as representing the bravery and resilience of millions of Ukrainians “who know that if they end defending their country, Ukraine ends”. While they see what the brutal reality of Russian Federation occupation means to their compatriots amid calls for negotiating with President Putin, she stressed that “he is making it very clear that he does not want to negotiate peace — he wants to complete his ‘conquests’”. As Moscow wants a sovereign State to give up its right to exist, she asked: “Where would we be if this principle were to prevail?” For its part, Berlin has signed a bilateral security agreement that offers Ukraine long-term support and “will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes”, she stated.
RADOSŁAW SIKORSKI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland, aligning himself with the statements made by Ukraine and the European Union, said that he was “amazed” by the tone and content of the statement delivered by the representative of the Russian Federation. Recalling that such representative stated that Kyiv is a client of the West, a criminal regime and comprised of Nazis, he said that Kyiv fights to be independent, that Ukraine has a democratically elected Government and that its President is Jewish while its Defence Minister is Muslim. That representative also said that the Russian Federation has always only beaten back aggression. Asking whether its troops at the gates of Warsaw in 1920 were on a “topographical excursion”, he underscored: “The truth is that, for every time Russia has been invaded, she has invaded 10 times.” Also recalling the statement that the West is waging a proxy war, he urged the Russian Federation not to fall into the Western trap — “withdraw your troops to the international border and avoid this Western plot”.
GABRIELIUS LANDSBERGIS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, also speaking for the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia, stated: “However loud and eloquent we are, our protests and outrage will barely register in Moscow, and rockets will continue to rain down on Ukrainian homes, hospitals and schools.” Today, the international community faces choices that might define this century. “Do we continue to appease the aggressor who is patient and meticulous in his attempts to turn everything this Organization holds dear into a mockery?”, he asked, urging the Council: “For all our sakes, wake up.” If the international community fails, the rules-based order will crumble. Ukraine’s sovereignty, Europe’s security and the success of global efforts for human rights, accountability, food security and nuclear safety will all be in the hands of those who benefit from disruption and chaos. The war in Ukraine must be won decisively, he asserted, adding that “it is not just Europe’s war, it is a challenge to the international order, which — while imperfect — aims to ensure that law, rather than military might, determines our borders and sovereignty”.
GORDAN GRLIĆ RADMAN, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, stressed that, instead of ending its senseless war, the Russian Federation is intensifying it — putting entire societies around the world at risk by exposing them to food insecurity and energy shortages. He noted that Croatia has provided almost €60 million in urgent humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, while some 25,000 Ukrainians have found temporary protection in the country. Recalling Croatia’s own experience of the costs and threats of mine contamination, he noted that it hosted the first-ever high-level International Donors’ Conference on Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine in October 2023. Co-organized by the Governments of Croatia and Ukraine, the conference confirmed support to Ukraine’s demining efforts, with 34 countries pledging €500 million. He called on the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, cease its illegal procurement of arms and ammunition, and uphold its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council.
HANKE BRUINS SLOT, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends of Accountability following the Aggression against Ukraine, consisting of 49 Member States and the European Union, shared a strong conviction: “We don’t accept that might makes right.” While UN Member States have repeatedly underlined the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, the Russian Federation has turned a deaf ear to these pleas, she said. She went on to commend efforts towards holding Moscow accountable, including the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission; the Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council; and the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence. As well, she voiced support for the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, the work carried out by the International Criminal Court, the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression, and the Register of Damage for Ukraine.
Stressing that the Russian Federation’s act of aggression violates the United Nations Charter, she reiterated her call on that country to comply with its international obligations. “We will keep demanding Russia withdraw all of its forces and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” she said, reiterating the group’s unconditional support for Ukraine.
HELENA CARREIRAS, Minister for National Defence of Portugal, underscored that the war in Ukraine not only jeopardizes the foundations of international security, it has also sent shockwaves around the world, disrupting global food and energy markets and affecting the most vulnerable countries. Reiterating Portugal’s full and unwavering support to Ukraine, both bilaterally and collectively, she said that, from day one, her country has been unequivocal about where it stands: “side-by-side with Ukraine”. In addition to its political support, Portugal has provided training to Ukrainian soldiers and donated military equipment and humanitarian aid. It has also made financial contributions to the European Union and NATO’s assistance mechanisms. “Ultimately, the goal is one and the same: to defend and uphold the rules, principles and values […) enshrined in the United Nations Charter,” she stated. This can only happen with a just and sustainable solution that is in accordance with Ukraine’s Peace Formula, and that holds accountable those responsible for the ongoing atrocities. She, therefore, called on the Russian Federation to cease all operations and retreat from Ukraine.
BUJAR OSMANI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, again urged the Russian Federation to end its senseless war and withdraw its troops from the sovereign territory of Ukraine — “the only way to restore peace”. Emphasizing the resilience and extraordinary courage shown by the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom, independence and mere existence, he stressed: “Every day we continue to hear reports of more civilian deaths, destruction and suffering, especially in the communities near the active conflict zones in eastern and southern Ukraine.” He reiterated the importance of investigating the war crimes on the territory of Ukraine to bring the perpetrators to justice, voicing support for creation of a Special Tribunal regarding the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Affirming that North Macedonia will continue to stand by Ukraine and its people, hopeful that reason will prevail and that life will soon be back to normal, he called for multilateralism to overcome militarism.