S/PV.9908 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Ukraine to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome Her Excellency Ms. Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under- Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; and Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I also invite His Excellency Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Ms. DiCarlo. Ms. DiCarlo: Today’s meeting is taking place at a potential inflection point in the three-year war in Ukraine. In the past few weeks, we have seen intensified efforts to bring the parties to negotiations. Those initiatives offer a glimmer of hope for progress towards a ceasefire and an eventual peaceful settlement. At the same time, we continue to witness relentless attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns. Those strikes have killed or injured many civilians and caused widespread destruction in residential areas and civilian infrastructure. Last week, Russian forces launched one of their most devastating assaults to date. On the night of 23 to 24 April, a massive, combined missile and drone attack targeted multiple regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Sumy and Zaporizhzhya. In Kyiv alone, multiple residential buildings were hit. At least 12 people were reported killed and more than 70 others injured, including several children, making it the deadliest attack on the capital in nine months. That attack followed other deadly strikes. On Palm Sunday, a missile struck the historic centre of Sumy, reportedly killing 35 people. Earlier, a strike on Kryvyi Rih killed 18 people, including nine children at a playground. That attack stands as the deadliest single strike against children since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Other cities, including Dnipro, Odesa and Zaporizhzhya, have also been subjected to repeated attacks in recent weeks. In front-line areas, civilian casualties are reported daily. Shelling, the use of glide bombs and first-person view drone attacks in the Kherson, Donetsk, Sumy and Kharkiv regions have resulted in increased civilian casualties. On 23 April, a drone strike on a civilian shuttle bus in the Dnipropetrovsk region reportedly killed at least nine people, and dozens more were injured. Most of them were women, who worked at a nearby mining and processing plant. As of 24 April, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had verified 151 civilians killed and 697 injured in the month of April. With verification ongoing, that figure is expected to surpass the March The Secretary-General has called for de-escalation and a durable ceasefire in Ukraine. In that regard, we are encouraged by the diplomatic efforts under way. We take note of yesterday’s announcement by the Russian Federation of a 72-hour truce planned for the period from 8 to 10 May. That follows a similar announcement by the Russian Federation on 19 April of a 30-hour Easter truce. After that announcement, Ukrainian authorities reportedly agreed to mirror any such steps, reiterating their earlier support for a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States. Regrettably, hostilities continued during Holy Week, with both sides accusing each other of violations. A month earlier, on 19 March, the Secretary-General welcomed the separate announcements by the United States, the Russian Federation and Ukraine regarding a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure and the resumption of negotiations on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. Despite those commitments, however, attacks against energy infrastructure persisted. Nevertheless, diplomatic efforts continue. The United Nations remains engaged, particularly on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, with a view to supporting global food security and maintaining vital supply chains strained by the war. The continued exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, including the largest to date on 20 April involving 500 prisoners, shows that, with political will, diplomacy can yield tangible results even in the most difficult circumstances. As we approach the eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we are reminded — with even greater urgency — of the centrality of the Charter of the United Nations and international law in safeguarding peace and security. The Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine stands as an egregious challenge to those fundamental principles, jeopardizing stability in Europe and threatening the broader international order. The war in Ukraine is a war of choice. What is needed now is a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a critical first step towards ending the violence and creating the conditions for a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace — one that fully respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. The United Nations remains prepared to support all meaningful efforts towards that end.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Msuya. Ms. Msuya: I welcome the opportunity to brief the Council on Ukraine today alongside Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo. Since our most recent briefings in March and April (see S/PV.9886, S/PV.9893 and S/PV.9901), the humanitarian situation has worsened, despite ceasefire opportunities. As peace talks continue, the human toll of the war is intensifying, with relentless attacks killing and injuring civilians, including children. Civilians are living under constant threat, especially in front-line regions, such as Kharkiv, On 24 April, the Russian Federation launched a large-scale coordinated attack on Kyiv city and at least eight other regions of Ukraine. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least nine civilians were killed in Kyiv, and 90 were injured, including 12 children. Forty-four people were hospitalized. Over this past weekend and even yesterday, hostilities continued along the front lines, resulting in further civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. The Donetsk region is the most heavily impacted. So far this year, not a single day has passed without civilians being killed or injured in attacks. In the first three months of the year, OHCHR verified 2,641 civilian casualties — nearly 900 more than during the same period in 2024 and at least 600 more than in early 2023. From 1 to 24 April, 848 civilian casualties were verified by OHCHR, marking a 46 per cent increase, compared to the same period last year. The verification process is still ongoing, with casualty numbers expected to rise. The operating environment remains highly dangerous for humanitarian workers. From 1 January to 23 April, there were 38 verified security incidents impacting humanitarian staff within 20 kilometres of the front line. That has left three aid workers dead and 21 injured while delivering life-saving assistance. As the war continues, millions of lives are being impacted daily, essential services are being disrupted and humanitarian needs are deepening. Attacks on healthcare services and health facilities are crippling access to maternal care. Pregnant women are now giving birth amid blackouts, medicine shortages and while under attack, with a 12 per cent rise in birth complications reported by health workers. For many expectant mothers, basic life-saving care is simply no longer available. Strikes on schools continue to deprive children of a safe education. According to OHCHR, 129 education facilities were damaged or destroyed during the first three months of the year. Owing to ongoing hostilities, at least 600,000 school-age children are being compelled to learn remotely, separated from friends and teachers, and risk falling behind in their studies. Hostilities have driven further displacement. The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 40,000 people have been uprooted from their homes this year, mainly in the front-line regions of Kherson, Kharkiv and Donetsk, the border areas of Sumy and elsewhere. In total, nearly 3.7 million people remain internally displaced within Ukraine and, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, almost 7 million Ukrainian people are registered as refugees, most of them in Europe. As in many global crises, women and children continue to bear a disproportionate burden. As the war drags on, the toll on them increases. UN-Women reports that sexual and gender-based violence has surged by 36 per cent, while domestic violence has spiked by 20 per cent in the past year alone. Nearly 2.5 million women and girls urgently need specialized protection services, yet resources remain dangerously thin. Since our previous briefing, local media have reported on civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure in the Bryansk and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation. I must emphasize once again: under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian objects must be protected. That means that indiscriminate attacks are strictly prohibited. It also means that parties must take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm, whether they are launching attacks or defending Nearly 13 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian aid, including women, children, older persons and people with disabilities. With thanks to the donors for their support, the United Nations and partners are doing their utmost to respond. In the first three months of 2025 alone, more than 340 humanitarian organizations — largely national non-governmental organizations — reached an estimated 2.3 million people with life-saving assistance. Aid delivery has been most extensive in front-line areas, providing food, emergency water, essential medicines and emergency health services. Owing to the sharp contraction in humanitarian funding and the subsequent global humanitarian reset, the United Nations and its partners have further re-prioritized the Ukraine humanitarian needs and response plan to focus on reaching 4.8 million people with urgent life-saving aid in 2025, requiring $1.75 billion. The objective is to reach those most at risk and most in need, centring on four core response priorities: people near the front line, evacuations, emergency response after strikes and aid to the most vulnerable among the internally displaced people. Without increased support, even prioritized life-saving efforts are at risk. Every contribution matters. I reiterate our earlier calls to the Council for urgent collective action on Ukraine. First, it must ensure the protection of civilians — including humanitarian and health workers  — and critical infrastructure and ensure that humanitarians have safe, rapid and unimpeded access to civilians in need, wherever they are. Secondly, it must scale up financial support. Underfunding is forcing critical programmes to scale down, even as the operational environment becomes more complex and dangerous. Additional resources are needed now to save lives and sustain assistance. Thirdly, it must achieve a just peace. Every effort — whether aimed at a temporary pause or a lasting agreement — must prioritize the protection and needs of civilians.

I thank Ms. Msuya for her briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. I would have liked not to have to convene, alongside our European partners, today’s meeting of the Security Council on Ukraine, but Russia’s high-intensity war of aggression continues to ravage Ukraine — as the Under-Secretary-General and the Assistant Secretary-General recalled — with dramatic humanitarian consequences, in violation of international law and in particular the Charter of the United Nations, our Charter. How did we get to this point? In the beginning, there was the Ukrainian people’s aspiration for freedom and democracy, which Russia wanted to repress, on Maidan Square in 2014. Ten years ago, a fragile ceasefire was decided on in Minsk. It was violated 20 times. Three years ago, Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine — a unilateral, brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression that must finally come to an end. It is a war that was not defensive or inevitable — a war that was not justified and remains unjustifiable. It is quite simply the expression of a blatantly revisionist agenda. Why oppose the application of that resolution in such a way? Vladimir Putin’s Russia, no doubt, would like to push until it forces Ukraine’s capitulation, but France, like many other members of the Council rejects that and will continue to do so, first and foremost, because it is a matter of security for Europe and France that Russia seeks to destabilize. France has already been targeted. Since the beginning of the conflict, our country, which supports Ukraine, has been targeted by Russian cyberattacks emanating from Russia’s military intelligence service, using the APT28 modus operandi. It has targeted a dozen French entities: public services, businesses, sports organizations linked to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We condemn those cyberattacks in the strongest possible terms. They are unworthy of a permanent member of the Security Council and contrary to the framework established by the United Nations. They must therefore cease without delay. France, like other members of the Council, opposes Ukraine’s capitulation in any form — not only for the security of Europe and France, but also for global peace and security, as such an outcome to the war would cement the principle that might makes right. It would inevitably lead the world towards a frantic arms race and, undoubtedly, proliferation. I believe that we must simply return to some of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which I would like to recall here to refresh the memory of all of the members of the Council. Chapter I, Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter states, “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” Let us therefore return to simple principles — aggressors must not be rewarded at the expense of the aggressed, borders must be inviolable, and all States must remain sovereign. I therefore appeal to President Putin and say to him: “ceasefire, ceasefire, ceasefire”. Only then will a just and genuine peace be possible — one that is in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. And I think we can achieve that. That is why we commend the mediation efforts spearheaded, at the highest levels, by the United States of America. France hopes that the Council can unanimously demand a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, by which I mean silencing the guns.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their comprehensive briefings. From the onset of this war, Slovenia has been pushing for peace between Ukraine and Russia and for peace in Europe — and not just any kind of peace, but a just and lasting peace, firmly anchored in the Charter of the United Nations and its principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. There can be no winner and no loser in wars like this one. There are only victims. And we cannot afford for international law to become a victim. After years of fighting, destruction and suffering, there is finally an opportunity to make peace. We remain hopeful that the United States initiative will produce results. If we want lasting peace in Europe, we must reach a full and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible. Ukraine agreed to it weeks ago, and I call on Russia to follow suit. Moreover, Slovenia would like to caution against unilateral action with regard to a ceasefire in Ukraine, as it serves little else than moving us further away from a comprehensive end to the war. While Slovenia welcomes any pause in the fighting that gives relief to civilians, like the one announced for early May, I underline a very simple fact: there will be no progress without both parties playing their part. There was little clarity about the terms of the moratorium on energy infrastructure strikes or the Easter ceasefire, with numerous claims about violations by both sides. That indicates that we need a verifiable, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire that will pave the way to negotiations on enduring peace in Ukraine. A ceasefire might be the necessary first step towards peace, but it is not enough in itself. We are witnessing a surge in civilian casualties. Russian missiles and drones have been hitting residential areas, causing death and destruction in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. While we push for peace in the Chamber, throughout Ukraine civilians are being buried under rubble, schools are being levelled to the ground and the physical integrity of nuclear facilities is being threatened. While we discuss drone attacks, grave violations of international law remain unpunished and Ukrainian children remain displaced and deported. If we want peace to last, all perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held accountable. On a related note, Slovenia hopes that peace negotiations will comprehensively address the question of returning prisoners of war and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to their homes. The pursuit of just and lasting peace in Ukraine  — in the Council and elsewhere — remains a priority for Slovenia. Ukraine is not hesitating when it comes to peace, and the Council should not either. Lord Collins (United Kingdom): I would also like to thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for briefing us on the grim situation in Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion over three years ago, the Council has met many times to discuss the death, destruction and misery Russia unleashed on Ukrainians. It has displaced more than 3.5 million people within the country, and almost 7 million have sought refuge abroad, leaving over a third of the population in dire need of humanitarian help. And its consequences have been felt far beyond Ukraine too, sending food and energy prices soaring, which has hit the most vulnerable around the world the hardest. Civilian casualties have increased by 50 per cent since February, and over 10,000 missiles and drones have been fired into Ukraine since the start of the war. Sadly, such brutality has continued — from the revolting strike in Sumy on Palm Sunday to the missiles raining upon Kharkiv and Kyiv. We do not need more evidence to prove that Putin is not serious about peace. Putin’s latest announcement for a temporary ceasefire, yet again, rings hollow. We need look only to the 30-hour pause in fighting over Easter as an example, during which there was no indication that a ceasefire on the front line was observed. I think that we can all see through this pretence. Russia must declare a ceasefire now. Not in a day, not in a week. Ukraine stands ready to go the whole way — a durable and full ceasefire — right now. Why wait — why only for 72 hours? If Putin were truly serious, he would agree today to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, just as Ukraine has done — not simply announce a short pause from 8 May. But Putin chooses not to. Compare that to Ukraine, which agreed to the United States ceasefire proposal over 40 days ago. Make no mistake — the United Kingdom’s commitment to peace is clear, as is the United Kingdom’s commitment to stand by Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Together, with our allies and partners, we must continue to work with Ukraine and speak up with one voice in support of Ukraine, because that remains the best way of achieving a just and sustainable end to Putin’s selfish war.

I thank you, Mr. President, for your presence at today’s meeting. I also want to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings today. And I welcome the participation of Her Excellency the Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine in this meeting. Regrettably, Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukraine continue unabated. Earlier this month, the attack on Sumy represented the single worst mass casualty attack on Ukraine’s civilian population this year. As we have heard from our briefers, attacks continued across the country last week and over the weekend, destroying cities, destroying houses and killing civilians. On 24 April, Russia carried out a large-scale attack on residential areas in Kyiv and surrounding regions, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring 70, including children. Those are hardly the actions of a country that seeks peace. The facts speak for themselves. Russia invaded its neighbour in an unprovoked war, in breach of international law, which continues to this very day. Ukraine did not encourage the war. Ukraine is not encouraging the continuation of the war. Ukraine is defending itself against an armed attack clearly prohibited under the Charter of the United Nations. And while Ukraine has no choice but to continue to fight for its sovereignty, and its very existence, Russia has a choice. Russia could end the suffering today. But instead of de-escalating, Russia is continuing attacks on Ukraine. It is hard to comprehend why one would seek war and destruction instead of peaceful coexistence. Ukraine has time and time again showed its desire for peace by accepting not only the 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure but also a complete 30-day ceasefire without preconditions. Additionally, on Easter Sunday, President Zelenskyy proposed We now hear that Russia has suggested a three-day ceasefire next week. Any pause in the devastating bombings in Ukraine is of course welcomed and needed. But there is an urgent need for an immediate and longer ceasefire, a full and unconditional ceasefire, just as Ukraine has agreed to. We now need to see concrete and genuine steps from Russia. Denmark will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We stand firmly behind Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Those principles are enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. That is also the position of the majority of United Nations members. They have collectively and clearly condemned Russia’s illegal attempt to change internationally recognized borders by force. That was the case every time the General Assembly debated this matter, most recently two months ago on the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion. Denmark supports any serious and genuine efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace that respects the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and secures Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Such peace needs to be built on accountability and justice. It should include robust and credible security guarantees. That can be achieved only with all relevant actors around the table. That, of course, includes Ukraine, but also Europe. We welcome the progress made at the London meeting between the E3 — Germany, France and the United Kingdom — as well as Ukraine and the United States, and it is important that those processes continue. We need to ensure a just end to that senseless war as soon as possible.

I would like to thank the French presidency of the Council for convening this meeting, and I warmly welcome His Excellency the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France to the Chamber. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary- General Msuya for their very interesting briefings. (spoke in English) The Council remained seized — multiple times this month, in many forms and settings — of the repercussions of Russia’s continuing aggression against Ukraine. Despite recent efforts for peace, led by the United States, the Russian military has continued to strike Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, killing and injuring civilians, among them children, women and elderly persons. As the Head of the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine stated after the recent shelling of Kyiv, those scenes of destruction and suffering reflect a deeply disturbing trend — civilians bearing the brunt of ever more intense and frequent attacks. The effect of warfare, particularly on children, is immeasurable. The war in Ukraine has affected a whole generation of children, either by claiming their lives or by severely impacting their psychosocial well-being. Greece condemns in the strongest terms any attacks against civilians and civilian objects and calls on Russia to immediately cease targeting residential areas and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. International humanitarian law dictates that all parties to conflicts must take every possible measure to spare civilians from harm. Adherence to those principles constitutes not only a legal requirement but also a moral imperative and should also go hand in hand with accountability for the perpetrators and justice for the victims. The time for peace has come, and it is long overdue. Greece has supported the partial ceasefires with regard to energy infrastructure and the Black Sea. Yet a major step towards peace would be a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, in line At the same time, positive developments, though limited and scarce, should be commended. In that respect, we welcome the latest exchange of prisoners on 19 April and hope for the continuation of that practice. Greece reiterates that the overarching goal remains a just, comprehensive and lasting peace achieved through inclusive diplomacy, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, that upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. That was the clear message sent by the international community through multiple General Assembly resolutions, the latest of which were adopted in late February (General Assembly resolutions ES-11/7 and ES-11/8). Only Ukraine has the right to decide on its future and on accepting any peace formula. However, a sustainable peace requires credible security guarantees to preclude the recurrence of war and ensure that Ukraine remains a sovereign and independent State, in charge of its own destiny. (spoke in French) In conclusion, steadfast in its commitment to international law and the Charter of the United Nations, Greece reaffirms that it is imperative that we all work towards achieving peace and an end to the destruction and suffering in Ukraine. The security of Ukraine has far-reaching repercussions for global security and stability; therefore, a just and lasting peace needs the active support of us all, of the whole international community.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings. The United States has presented a framework proposal to both Russia and Ukraine that we believe could bring about a durable and lasting peace. The path to peace must begin with a comprehensive ceasefire, immediately stopping the destruction and the bloodshed. Regrettably, during the past few months, Russia has continued high-profile strikes on Ukraine, causing needless loss of life, including of innocent civilians. President Trump has called on Russia to cease those attacks and emphasized the need to immediately end the war. Both Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have openly touted the presence of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the battlefield, a serious escalation and part of a military partnership that violates Security Council resolutions and enables Russia to continue those strikes. Right now, Russia has a great opportunity to achieve a durable peace. The burden for ending the war rests with Russia and Ukraine. It is up to the leaders of both of those countries to decide whether peace is possible. If both sides are ready to end the war, the United States will fully support their path to a lasting peace. The benefits of Ukraine and Russia accepting the United States proposal are immense. Their economies can begin to grow, their cities to rebuild and their peoples to heal. Conversely, the risks that accompany more war are immeasurable. The harm would disproportionately fall on ordinary Ukrainian and Russian families, who overwhelmingly desire peace. We urge both Ukraine and Russia to accept peace. We ask our fellow Council members and all Member States to support the path to peace.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya for their comprehensive briefings. As we have repeatedly stated, Pakistan remains profoundly concerned about the conflict’s devastating regional and global repercussions, especially for developing nations. Allow me to make three points. First, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is a fundamental obligation under international law, including international humanitarian law. All parties must uphold those principles without exception. Secondly, Pakistan steadfastly believes that dialogue and diplomacy  — not hostilities — offer the only viable path for resolving the conflict. It is in that spirit that we supported the United States-led peace efforts, including resolution 2774 (2025), applauded the limited ceasefire understandings reached in March, welcomed the declaration of a ceasefire at Easter and positively note the announcement of another period of limited ceasefire next month. Thirdly, the fragile foundation of peace laid down by the recent diplomatic efforts must be consolidated. That can only be achieved through a sincere and sustained dialogue that is constructive and meaningful. We commend the United States for its continued mediation efforts and appreciate the role of the United Arab Emirates in facilitating the recent prisoner-of-war exchanges. Pakistan’s position on the Ukraine conflict has remained consistent. From the outset, we have advocated for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a negotiated settlement. We urge the parties to heed the global call for peace and to genuinely work towards a permanent ceasefire as the stepping stone for a comprehensive, just and durable solution. In conclusion, Pakistan reiterates its firm support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, emphasizing further that a constructive and inclusive dialogue process  — involving stakeholders from the European continent, anchored in the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the relevant multilateral agreements and addressing the legitimate national security interests of all sides — is essential for achieving lasting peace in the region.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, and the Assistant Secretary- General, Ms. Joyce Msuya, for their valuable briefings. Unfortunately, the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, with increasing numbers of innocent victims among unarmed civilians, including women, children and the elderly. Civilians also continue to suffer, affected by the remnants of the war, because of the targeting of their homes or civilian infrastructure, including health, education, energy and other facilities. In that situation, huge numbers of unarmed civilians continue to flee conflict zones and seek safe havens where they can find protection for their families in the light of the ongoing confrontations and the lack of the minimum conditions required for their return to their homes. In addition, the repercussions of the war continue to affect many regions and peoples of the world, especially developing countries, given the intractable energy and food crises. In that context, Algeria would like to underscore the following points. First, Algeria reaffirms its firm conviction that the escalation of tensions and the logic of polarization will not in any way bring us closer to any peaceful solution. Algeria therefore reiterates its call on the parties to engage in an inclusive, constructive and good-faith dialogue with a view to reaching a just and lasting peaceful Secondly, the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law. It is totally unacceptable. We therefore renew our call on the parties to respect their commitment to the rules of international humanitarian law by prioritizing the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure and ending the suffering of civilians in general. Lastly, we believe that it is essential for the international community to make the best use of the current momentum and redouble its diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing together perspectives and views to create favourable conditions to facilitate dialogue and negotiations to bring an end to the war. Algeria remains committed to supporting any comprehensive diplomatic efforts aimed at putting an end to the suffering and finding a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the conflict.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings and their tireless efforts for international peace and security. We are deeply troubled by the escalation of attacks in Ukraine. The large-scale and indiscriminate attacks carried out by Russia last week — including those targeting Kyiv, which killed at least 12 people and injured more than 90 others — remind us yet again of the urgent need to bring this senseless war to an end without delay. Such attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, which constitute violations of international humanitarian law, seriously undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a sustainable ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Millions of rounds of North Korean ammunition are being used on the battlefield. North Korean artillery systems and KN-23 missiles have claimed innocent Ukrainian lives, including as recently as on Palm Sunday. Staggering reports indicate that North Korea now supplies nearly half of Russia’s front-line munitions. Without that illegal military assistance, peace in Ukraine might already have been within reach. More than a year and a half of arms transfers and other military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of approximately 15,000 North Korean troops since October 2024, continue unabated  — in flagrant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions, despite repeated international condemnation. Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had consistently denied the deployment of North Korean troops but have now recently admitted it officially. In its announcement, North Korea focused on the so-called “Kursk Liberation Operation”, based on the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, implying that Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations applies, since Kursk is Russian territory. Such a preposterous attempt at a justification is offensive and deeply regrettable. The Republic of Korea supports all efforts to swiftly end this war. We note all the recent diplomatic engagements led by the United States, including those held in Washington, D.C., Paris, London and Moscow. And we express our hope that these efforts will lead to a lasting peace — one that respects the spirit and principles of the Charter. We once again underscore the imperative of an immediate and full freeze of hostilities on all battle fronts. A partial, sectoral or time-constrained ceasefire will be of no significant value. The repeated mutual accusations of ceasefire violations during the recent Easter period reflect just how fragile and difficult even short-term In conclusion, the Security Council must remain united and resolute in its support for all efforts to bring this war to an end. The Republic of Korea will continue to cooperate with the international community for the restoration of peace and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.

Let me begin by thanking Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their comprehensive briefings. The humanitarian situation described by the briefers remains deeply concerning, with more than one third of the Ukrainian population now requiring humanitarian assistance. Systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure continue to exacerbate the situation, with millions affected by the destruction of housing, energy facilities and essential services. My delegation takes note of the announcement by the Russian Federation of a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine, scheduled from 8 to 10 May. We view that temporary cessation of hostilities as a potential catalyst for the United States-led diplomatic engagements, and we support any effort that can transform that brief pause into more sustained peace. In that vein, we encourage all parties to, first, uphold international humanitarian law obligations and prioritize the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure. Secondly, all parties should ensure the robust implementation of any ceasefire agreement with a clear verification mechanism that can build confidence between the parties. Thirdly, that window of opportunity should be maximized to facilitate humanitarian access, particularly to those areas in which civilian needs are most acute. Fourthly and finally, that momentum should be used to engage in good faith to explore pathways towards a more comprehensive ceasefire and substantive peace negotiations. In conclusion, my delegation reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that uphold international law, protect civilian lives and infrastructure and advance diplomatic solutions. We believe that every opportunity for peace, however brief, must be seized and built upon. The path to peace requires the dedicated support and engagement of the entire international community. We stand ready to work with Council members to support all genuine efforts towards de-escalation and dialogue in order to bring about a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

We thank the delegations that have taken the initiative to convene this meeting amid the intensifying attacks on the Ukrainian civilian population and critical infrastructure. We also thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General, and Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for their detailed briefings. In addition, we acknowledge the participation of the various high-level authorities and representatives of the invited delegations who are with us in this meeting. The Council has made countless efforts to support all proposals aimed at the peaceful resolution of this conflict, which began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. And on more than one occasion, the Council has noted that, however laudable the intentions, without the will of those with the In February, the Council adopted a resolution, with Russia’s support, that sought a path to peace (resolution 2774 (2025)). Unfortunately, owing to the lack of a genuine commitment, that failed to materialize. In addition to that aspiration of ending the conflict, the Russian refusal to commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities also persists, as demonstrated by the escalation in indiscriminate attacks against the Ukrainian civilian population in recent weeks. According to the recent report published by the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, during the month of March, the number of civilian casualties increased by 50 per cent compared with February, with at least 164 killed and 190 injured, an increase of more than 70 per cent compared to March 2024. A large proportion of those losses was caused by targeted attacks against urban areas. In the early morning hours of 24 April, a massive Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv left at least 12 dead and 90 wounded, including six hospitalized children and a pregnant woman. That was the most lethal attack on the Ukrainian capital since last summer, as mentioned by Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo. Panama categorically condemns all attacks and forms of violence that affect the civilian population. We reiterate our steadfast support for the Secretary-General’s call to immediately cease hostilities and protect the civilian population, with a special emphasis on children, who must always be the priority. Children, who should be learning to write, to play without fear and to dream of the future, are now learning to survive among air raid sirens, smouldering ruins and separations that should never have happened. Their suffering is crying out for our conscience to respond and seek to stop this unabated cycle of pain. In that same vein, we urgently call for full, safe and unhindered access to be guaranteed to independent international mechanisms in order to ascertain the whereabouts of displaced minors and for active cooperation in family reunification processes overseen by the competent humanitarian agencies and aligned with child protection principles. Panama also expresses its profound concern about reports of an alarming prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence and impeded access to sexual and reproductive health services. Psychological stress, prolonged trauma and pressure on healthcare systems, in particular in rural areas, significantly heighten the risk of maternal and neonatal complications. The consequences of this conflict, which is the largest in Europe, are being felt worldwide; such loss of human life is unacceptable, incomprehensible and unbearable. The international order stands at a crossroads. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are fundamental principles of international law and constitute the sole guarantee that the world will not revert to an era in which the strong impose their will through their capacity to wage war and the weak must yield, even though their cause is just. Panama understands very well the struggle of peoples who suffer to defend their sovereignty. Our own experience has made us aware that no State has the right to unilaterally seize the territory of another nation, and it is our firm belief that it is the inalienable right of all peoples to decide their future. Accordingly, we reaffirm our support for all efforts seeking a just and lasting peace in tandem with full respect for the Charter of the United Nations and the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The peoples of Russia and Ukraine demand the utmost commitment and political will from their leaders, so that compliance with the cessation of hostilities is immediate and holds, thereby securing a future in which peaceful coexistence is the lodestar of development for those peoples. Sierra Leone remains deeply concerned about the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and is appalled by the indiscriminate use of long-range missiles and drones, particularly in densely populated areas. Regrettably, throughout the conflict, the repeated breach of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution underscores a worrisome state of disregard for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilian life. We therefore reiterate that the protection of civilians must remain paramount in any armed conflict, in line with the rules of war and the values of human dignity. The year 2025 has already been marked by intensifying violence, with widespread destruction and civilian suffering. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that from 1 to 24 April 2025, 151 civilians were killed and 697 injured, representing a 46 per cent increase, compared to the same period last year. We also take note of reported sustained missile and drone attacks by the Russian Federation on residential areas between 18 and 25 April, as detailed in the correspondence from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations. The reported strikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties, including children, and the devastation of homes, businesses and public infrastructure. The humanitarian impact of those large-scale offensives continues to deepen. As reported, thousands more have been left homeless and destitute. The destruction of critical infrastructure, including healthcare, education and industrial facilities, has compounded an already dire humanitarian crisis. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 12.7 million people in Ukraine will require humanitarian assistance in 2025. We therefore join the call for sustained support for the Ukraine humanitarian response plan, including contributions to the Ukraine humanitarian fund. In view of the mounting toll of the conflict, Sierra Leone urges all parties to immediately cease hostilities and to commit to a political process that prioritizes dialogue over destruction. We acknowledge and continue to urge international engagement, particularly by the United States, to facilitate conditions for a lasting ceasefire. We welcome the recent direct meeting between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome and hope that such high-level diplomacy will lead to tangible results on the ground. We also acknowledge the efforts of European leaders and regional actors, which continue to play a constructive role in supporting de-escalation and peace. We once again urge the parties to agree to ceasefire initiatives and other confidence-building measures. A ceasefire, if realized and respected, could pave the way for further confidence-building measures and the revival of sustained negotiations. A durable ceasefire would be in the interest of both nations, not only to halt the tragic loss of life and destruction, but also to redirect national resources from warfare to development and recovery. The human and economic costs of the conflict continue to escalate. Ukraine, in particular, faces a massive reconstruction challenge, compounded by widespread contamination from landmines and unexploded ordnance across an estimated 139,000 square kilometres of its territory. A cessation of hostilities would also allow more than 10 million displaced persons  — men, women and children  — to begin returning home. The plight of those vulnerable In conclusion, Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict on the basis of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. We call for full adherence to international law, in particular, international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, unhindered humanitarian access for the delivery of life-saving assistance and renewed diplomatic engagement towards a just and lasting peace. We stand in solidarity with efforts to achieve a cessation of hostilities, a path towards sustainable peace and the restoration of the dignity and hope of the people of Ukraine and all those affected by that devastating conflict.

I would like to thank Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings. The crisis in Ukraine drags on to this day, and the fighting continues unabated. The multiple recent attacks have resulted in new civilian casualties and infrastructure damage and destruction. Women, children and other vulnerable groups are bearing the brunt. That is heartbreaking. We reiterate our call for civilians and civilian infrastructure not to be targeted under any circumstances. Parties to the conflict should strictly abide by international humanitarian law and make every effort to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Recently, the relevant parties have had a series of engagements and negotiations on the Ukraine issue. China supports all efforts towards peace. The Ukraine crisis involves complex factors. Achieving a ceasefire is by no means easy, and restoring peace cannot be accomplished overnight. The closer we get to the critical moment of negotiations, the more we must exercise patience and wisdom. China has three expectations. First, we expect the parties concerned to demonstrate political will, maintain the momentum of the peace talks and, through dialogue and consultation, achieve a ceasefire and restore peace at an early date. Secondly, we expect all stakeholders to be able to participate in the peace talks, work together to address the root causes of the crisis and reach a peace agreement that is fair, lasting, binding and acceptable to all parties. As the war is taking place on the European continent, Europe certainly has a role to play for peace. Thirdly, we expect the United Nations and the international community to create a positive atmosphere and favourable conditions and provide necessary assistance for the peace talks. China’s position on the Ukraine issue is objective, impartial, rational and pragmatic. We have made consistent efforts to promote peace talks and a political settlement. We have always followed the four “shoulds” proposed by President Xi Jinping as our fundamental guideline: the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations should be upheld, the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be taken seriously and all efforts for peace should be supported. We actively maintain communication and engagement with all parties and work tirelessly for peace talks. Along with Brazil and other countries, China has launched a Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis to build consensus for peace and advance peace efforts. China stands ready to continue working with the global South and the international community to play a constructive role in achieving an early political resolution to the crisis. Guyana regrets that the Security Council is once again meeting to address a further intensification in this ongoing armed conflict amid talks of a possible ceasefire. We deplore the recent civilian casualties resulting from missile and drone strikes last week, which reportedly also destroyed 12 buildings in Ukraine, causing more displacement and damage to businesses and key services. The United Nations has also reported that a hospital and an energy facility were damaged in drone strikes last week. We have also learnt from the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine that more than 800 civilian casualties have been verified from the period 1 to 24 April, as pointed out already by the representative of Sierra Leone — a 46 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The increased attacks against civilian infrastructure are fuelling an already severe humanitarian crisis at a time when the humanitarian sector is facing severe funding cuts. The senseless violence must end. Those contributing to the global humanitarian crisis through their deliberate actions must be held accountable. Millions have already been condemned to a life of want and despair owing to this senseless war. Guyana is heartened to note that diplomatic efforts towards achieving a durable ceasefire persist despite recent setbacks. While we take note of the two declarations of unilateral ceasefires by the Russian Federation, we contend that the gravity of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine demands a more permanent solution. Central to the question of achieving a permanent ceasefire in the current context is the need to reach an agreement on the immediate cessation of hostilities, unimpeded humanitarian access to the occupied territories and the provision of necessary security guarantees, inter alia. The complex nature of those discussions requires patient and sustained diplomacy that must be supported by the international community. They are also critical questions with which the Security Council should be occupied. Guyana is prepared to support any measure that can bring about a peaceful end to the ongoing conflict in line with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. We commend those Member States that have taken concrete action to further the cause of peace, and we hope that their contributions will serve as a stimulus for greater action by the United Nations and the wider international community. We also continue to urge the parties to the conflict to demonstrate by their actions that they choose peace over war, cease all escalatory actions and commit to achieving a lasting peace with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

At the outset, we would like to voice our fundamental disagreement with the presidency’s approach to inviting delegations to today’s meeting under rules 37 and 39. There are as many as seven of them, and all are members of NATO and the European Union. We have already repeatedly pointed out that inviting such a large number of participants — most of whom are driven by bloc-based discipline — brings no added value to the discussion, with rare exceptions. We observe a negative trend whereby, when presiding over the Security Council, European countries tend to bring to meetings on Ukraine numerous extras, who repeat in chorus the same talking points, which are virtually identical to those voiced by the representative of the European Union. All that does nothing but drag out the meetings, with discussions at the Security Council losing their operational nature and value. We categorically object to Security Council meetings being transformed into a lecture hall where a select group of countries lectures the rest of the world with completely unoriginal sermons. We doubt, for example, that the representative of Germany will provide clarification Today’s meeting was requested by several of the Kyiv regime’s most stubborn European sponsors, and it reflects their fear of being sidelined in the context of the new United States Administration’s efforts to find a long-term solution to the Ukrainian crisis. That explains their desire to derail the process and to restore, for Zelenskyy’s Ukraine, the image of a victim, which has faded in recent months, given the new facts that have surfaced. Promoting that image is precisely what the Ukrainian Permanent Mission to the United Nations is doing almost daily by circulating letters describing alleged Russian strikes targeting civilian objects. However, that practice of stirring up emotions actually plays against Ukraine, which time and again promotes outright fakes, as was the case, for example, with the deaths of civilians in Kryvyi Rih and Sumy on 4 and 13 April, which appear to be the result of the Kyiv regime’s egregious violation of international law, as has already been proven irrefutably. We are deeply disappointed that, when assessing the situation in Ukraine, the Secretariat, through Ms. DiCarlo, is not only actively playing into these fakes, but is also echoing the talking points of the long-gone Biden Administration. By doing so, the Secretariat is actually taking the side of the party of war, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the obligation to remain impartial and objective, pursuant to Article 100 of the Charter of the United Nations. Such an approach undermines trust, not only with regard to the Secretariat’s remarks on the Ukrainian crisis, but also in its leadership’s pledges to play a constructive role in contributing to a peaceful settlement. We stress once again that the Russian armed forces are exclusively targeting objects related to Kyiv’s military capabilities. Civilian casualties are due to the deliberate deployment of Ukrainian air defence systems in densely populated urban districts, their incompetent operation and the Kyiv regime’s use of its own citizens as human shields. The special operation is ongoing, and the 18 April strikes, which served as the formal pretext for convening today’s meeting, were carried out with precision weapons targeting key drone manufacturing sites and infrastructure facilities at Ukrainian military airfields. All of our targets were hit, and Kyiv is perfectly aware of that. By supporting these hypocritical and false allegations of the Kyiv clique and attempting to portray them as the truth, the European puppeteers of the Zelenskyy’s regime are merely unmasking their true identities and yet again demonstrating their selective blindness and blatant double standards. Since August, these henchmen in London, Paris, Brussels have not uttered a single word of condemnation regarding the barbaric attack by Zelenskyy’s cabal targeting cities, towns and villages near the border in Kursk oblast. The territory was completely cleansed of Ukrainian invaders last week. On numerous occasions, we have shared blood-curdling data about the atrocities committed by the Ukrainian executioners targeting civilians in the peaceful Russian region. These include murder, mass executions, rape, torture, abductions and rampant looting. We held numerous informal Council meetings to which we invited witnesses to those crimes. The most recent such crime was the 24 April Banderite attack on a masterpiece of ancient wooden architecture — the New Jerusalem temple complex in the Belgorod oblast  — which resulted in its destruction. This was an operating church, and there were no military targets nearby. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian armed forces shelled that holy site, which resulted in a blaze, and then targeted the firefighters attempting to extinguish the fire. During the week from 21 to 27 April alone, Ukraine’s strikes targeted 98 civilians: 12 people, including one child, were killed, and another 86, including four However, Kyiv’s European sponsors are scrupulously avoiding any mention of this inconvenient topic, namely the Kursk misadventure carried out by the Kyiv princeling, which resulted in a complete rout of the Ukrainian armed forces and dealt a fatal blow to the military capabilities and morale of the Ukrainian army. The most active participation in the liberation of Russian territory came from the units provided by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Moscow and Pyongyang acted in full compliance with international law, specifically article 4 of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, dated 19 June 2024, which provides for the immediate delivery of military assistance in the event of an armed attack on either party. We are deeply grateful to our Korean brethren, whose fortitude and bravery will remain forever etched in the memory of our people. Under these circumstances, the main goal of Kyiv’s European accomplices is to highlight — contrary to facts and common sense — the head of the Kyiv clique’s supposed aspiration towards peace, which, according to baseless allegations, Russia does not embrace. We heard a number of such attempts voiced today by our Western colleagues. It is becoming increasingly difficult for London, Paris and Brussels to pursue that goal, as well as to camouflage the brutal, misanthropic and Nazi essence of the Zelenskyy regime, which is manifesting itself with growing clarity. The Russian Federation has been prioritizing diplomacy and peaceful scenarios for conflict resolution, which we have demonstrated time and again. Despite Kyiv’s sabotage of the 30-day moratorium on reciprocal strikes targeting energy infrastructure, which the Ukrainian armed forces violated more than 130 times, the Russian President made a gesture of goodwill, announcing an Easter truce from 6.00 p.m. on 19 April to midnight of 21 April. This truce was an opportunity for the Ukrainian side to show — not in words, but in deeds — its good faith in upholding its commitments and its readiness towards peace. Having hastily rejected that initiative, Zelenskyy — apparently, under pressure from his sponsors and concerned about his image — soon changed his mind and supported the proposal. Although the intensity of hostilities along the front line was indeed reduced during that period, the Russian Defence Ministry recorded 4,900 violations by the Ukrainian armed forces. Specifically, the Ukrainian armed forces continued to carry out artillery and drone strikes — not only against our troops but also against civilian objects in adjacent areas of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk oblasts, as well as in Crimea. Russia strictly observed the ceasefire regime and remained at the previously held borders and positions. Zelenskyy has thus eloquently proven once again his inability to negotiate in good faith and his desire to torpedo any peace process. Aware of its imminent defeat, the Kyiv regime is increasingly sliding towards openly terrorist methods. On 25 April, as President Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was heading to a new round of negotiations with President Putin, the Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, Mr. Yaroslav Moskalik, was murdered. The suspect, Ignat Kuzin, confessed and stated that he was recruited by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine in exchange for monetary remuneration. In September, supervisors gave him the assignment of eliminating Mr. Moskalik, and he undertook to carry out that assignment. Yesterday, Ukraine’s leadership officially acknowledged its complicity in that murder. Commenting on this case, Roman Kostenko, secretary of the Verkhovna Rada’s Parliamentary Committee on That further demonstrates the criminal and treacherous nature of the Kyiv regime, whose leader is concerned solely with saving his own skin and covering up the crimes he committed against his own people. Therefore, contrary to the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, he is bent on escalating the conflict and is recklessly rejecting the balanced peace proposals of the United States. Nevertheless, United States-Russia dialogue is ongoing, and we will be discussing a number of nuances for the future contours of the peace plan. From the very start of the conflict, we have stated that we prefer diplomatic methods for the attainment of the goals of our special military operation. That is why Russia remains focused on achieving a sustainable long-term solution that would eradicate the root causes of the conflict and prevent it from recurring. As another step towards peace, President Putin announced a truce starting at midnight between 7 and 8 May and lasting until midnight between 10 and 11 May. We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow that example. Such a step could be a prelude to direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine without any preconditions whatsoever, and we are ready to engage in those talks despite the existing problems regarding the legitimacy of the head of the Kyiv regime. Our country’s principled approaches towards settling the Ukrainian crisis were voiced by the Russian President in June 2024. Let us recall that includes Ukraine’s respect for the rights of the Russian-speaking population; the country’s neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status; and its demilitarization and denazification, as well as the recognition of the status of Crimea, Sevastopol, the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions as constituent entities of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the will of their inhabitants. That position is firmly rooted in the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and is not subject to revision. It is important that those who genuinely want to help find a long-term solution to the crisis, provoked by the West, take that into account. We do not expect from them empty declarations or calls for a ceasefire, which our European colleagues are now so vociferously voicing only because they have realized that otherwise Ukraine will suffer a resounding defeat. We expect from them clear and concrete signals towards a peaceful settlement. That primarily applies to the cessation of arms deliveries to Ukraine and their willingness to convince Zelenskyy of the urgent need to engage in constructive dialogue. To that end, let us recall, there is a need for him, inter alia, to repeal the ban on direct negotiations with the Russian leadership, which was enshrined in legislation at his urging. More broadly speaking, he needs to finally honour the pledge made to Ukrainian voters in 2019, which is to pursue peace with Russia and respect the rights of the Russian-speaking population of his country. And in general, he needs to act in the interests of the Ukrainian people and not for the benefit of those seeking to use Ukraine purely as a pawn in the geopolitical struggle waged against Russia. When Kyiv and its European sponsors understand that and recognize the futility of the very idea of continuing hostilities and when they grasp that the only alternative to that is the resounding defeat and surrender of Ukraine, then, perhaps, we will start moving in the right direction.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine. I must begin my address to the Security Council by pointing out one of the most recent crimes committed by the Russian Federation. Just today, on 29 April, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia murdered 12-year-old Marharyta Titarenko. She was another child murdered by Russia. Every day Russia kills our children. Every day Russia deports our children in grave breach of international law. Every day Russia tortures our children in the temporarily occupied territories. How many children will have been killed by Russia by the end of the war? The Russian Federation continues to perpetrate acts of terror on a daily basis against the civilian population of Ukraine, systematically targeting critical infrastructure and residential areas across the country. Since 11 March, when the United States proposed a full and unconditional ceasefire during negotiations in Saudi Arabia, Russians have used nearly 8,500 guided aerial bombs — just think about that figure, 8,500 bombs — against peaceful civilians in the middle of Europe. The first proposal of the full and unconditional ceasefire has already been on the table for 49 days, but it was rejected by Russia. One of the most blatant attacks occurred on the night of 24 April, when the Russian Federation launched a large-scale, combined attack on residential areas across multiple regions of Ukraine, using 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and approximately 150 attack drones. In Kyiv alone the attack took the lives of at least 13 civilians, including a brother and a sister — 21-year-old Nikita and 19-year- old Sofia — and also injured around 90 others, among them at least six children and a pregnant woman. In that barbaric attack, Russia used a ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea. That is yet further evidence of the criminal nature of the alliance between the Russian Federation and North Korea. That Russian-North Korean bond threatens the security of the entire Indo-Pacific region as well. Recently, Ukrainian intelligence services documented the involvement of at least 155 citizens of China in the Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. Evidence indicates that the Russian side is actively engaged in recruiting Chinese nationals through various social media platforms. That cooperation must be stopped immediately. Since the beginning of 2025, at least 577 civilians have been killed and more than 2,900 injured, though the true toll is likely to be higher owing to limited access to front-line and occupied areas. In April alone, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified 848 civilian casualties  — a 46 per cent increase from the same period last year. Verification efforts are ongoing, and the number of casualties is expected to increase. Russia’s armed aggression has resulted in the widespread devastation of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. According to Ukrainian authorities, more than 218,000 civilian sites have been damaged or destroyed. More than 1,600 schools have been damaged, with at least 200 destroyed. Nearly 2,000 medical facilities have also been affected, including 300 reduced to rubble. Those figures reflect a sharply deteriorating humanitarian situation and the growing needs of the civilian population on the ground. In that context, the delivery of humanitarian assistance is more urgent and essential than ever. Ukraine deeply appreciates the efforts of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its partners in responding to humanitarian needs on the Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal full-scale military invasion in full accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. That is our country, that is our home and those are our families that we are defending. Ukraine did not start the war, and we do not want the war to continue. Russia is the only source, the reason and the fundamental driving force of this war of aggression. Ukraine has demonstrated more than once its willingness to give diplomacy a chance to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. Russia refused to accept the proposal agreed by the United States on 11 March in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on a full interim ceasefire for 30 days. Russia repeatedly violated the agreements on a ceasefire in the energy sector reached in Riyadh on 23-25 March, manipulating the date of its start and put forward unacceptable preconditions for the implementation of a ceasefire at sea. On Easter, Russia made statements about its alleged readiness for a so-called ceasefire for 30 hours. And what do we see? The total number of violations by the Russian army of that so-called ceasefire throughout Easter reached 2,935. On 28 April, Russia proposed a three-day so-called ceasefire starting on 8 May. If Russia is so willing to stop the war, why do we not start the ceasefire today? Why wait until 8 May? That proposal has nothing to do with peace. Russia has always used the dates of victory over Nazism for propaganda and disinformation purposes. This year, the Kremlin is using the eightieth anniversary — particularly the so-called victory parade on 9 May — as a culmination of the victory cult. In reality, Russian soldiers marching through the Red Square on 9 May will have nothing to do with the victory over Nazism. Some of them may have massacred civilians in Bucha, Irpin, Izyum, Mariupol and many other Ukrainian cities and villages. No country has the right to claim exclusive rights over the victory in the Second World War, which was the result of great efforts by many countries and nations. During the Second World War, Ukraine lost approximately 8 million people. The War had an impact on every Ukrainian family, and every Ukrainian town and village suffered. That is why our country rejects Russia’s historical manipulations and its attempts to downplay or manipulate Ukraine’s role in the victory over Nazism. We value human lives but not parades. The fire can be ceased right now, not just for a parade and not just for a few days to continue killing Ukrainians after those parades. Russia cannot be allowed to cherry-pick politically convenient dates to announce a short-lived ceasefire simply for public relations purposes or to gain additional tactical advantages. Ukraine is ready to support a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, and that is what we have constantly been proposing, for at least 30 days. We reconfirm that proposal. Our position on peace negotiations is clear and consistent. Ukraine wants peace like no one else. However, we cannot accept peace at any price. Any future arrangement must respect Ukraine’s red lines. First, we will never recognize any temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as Russian. Crimea and other temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine remain part of Ukraine, according to international law and the Constitution of Ukraine. Thirdly, we will not accept any restrictions on Ukraine’s sovereignty or our domestic or foreign policies, including the choice of the alliances that we would like to join. Fourthly, a temporary ceasefire — if achieved — should not lead to a frozen conflict. It must be a step forward towards peace talks on just and lasting peace. That is a crucial element shaping our vision. The first and most essential step towards any negotiations must be a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. That is the starting point — nothing less. First, Ukrainian children abducted by Russia must be returned home. That is a humanitarian issue. Can members imagine the pain of the parents who were separated from their children? Not a single parent should endure that pain. Russia deported at least 20,000 Ukrainian children in grave breach of international law, trying to erase their identity, giving them different names. They were “adopted” by Russian families. Those are war crimes — it is an issue of humanity. Secondly, all prisoners of war should be returned and exchanged back home. And, of course, all illegally detained persons and civilians should be returned home to Ukraine. The issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial and key. It should be important for all Member States whether we as the international community are ready to abide by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The Russian Federation could stop its war of aggression at any time, but it continues to refuse to do so. Russia wants to continue the war, not pursue peace. Russia wants to kill Ukrainians, not stop hostilities. Russia wants to occupy more Ukrainian territories, not withdraw from Ukraine, because Russia’s goal for the past 11 years of genocidal war has not changed — to destroy Ukraine as a country and destroy Ukraine as a nation. Russia does not want to see Ukraine as a democratic, free European country. Freedom is a virus for Russian society — it threatens the dictatorship in Russia. Aggression should not be rewarded, and the aggressor should not be appeased. Any attempt to appease the Russian Federation by compromising fundamental principles will only embolden further violations of international law and set a very dangerous precedent for global security. History has shown that appeasement does not stop aggressors — it only encourages them. It is imperative that the international community increase pressure on Russia — including sanctions pressure — to compel it to cease its violations of international law and to pursue a genuine path toward peace. We remain hopeful that the United States, along with our other international partners, will intensify efforts to press Russia to accept a full and unconditional ceasefire. The unity and support of the whole international community is needed to stop this genocidal war and prevent its repetition in the future. Peace talks must be based on respect for international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. Any sustainable peace must unequivocally respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, safeguard our democratic institutions and ensure the inalienable right of the Ukrainian people to live free from external aggression and freely choose their future. Sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. Justice is not negotiable. Children are not negotiable. We call on the international community  — and especially the Council  — to reaffirm the truth: peace without justice is not peace, it is surrender. And that is what Russia actually wants. It wants Ukraine to surrender. It wants Ukraine to capitulate. We have bad news for Russia  — Ukraine will not surrender. Again, this is our country, our home, and we are defending our land and our people in accordance

I now give the floor to the representative of Romania.

I would like to express my gratitude to you, Mr. President, for allowing my delegation to take the floor. A month ago, in the Chamber (see S/PV.9886), my delegation expressed disappointment that the efforts for dialogue undertaken in March in Riyadh had not borne the results we all wanted, namely, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the Charter of the United Nations. Currently, continuous efforts by the United States, Ukraine and European countries towards peace are not being met with a similar level of engagement by Russia. On the contrary, genuine efforts for peace are being met with more killing of Ukrainian civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Some of the more recent attacks against civilians are among the most horrendous. That deadly trend was also confirmed by the briefers today, whom I would like to thank for their important briefings. We also believe that there can be no impunity for such acts. The path to peace must provide dignity for all victims of the war, as well as accountability. The year 2025 is crucial and a test for our resolve as Member States defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. This year can become the year of peace in Ukraine. As a country neighbouring Ukraine, in the immediate vicinity of an unjust war that has ravaged an entire country and many generations of its innocent people, there is no alternative to our unconditional support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is essential for Russia to seize the window of opportunity and engage meaningfully in negotiations. Romania supports any steps that ensure the respect of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and pave the way, without preconditions, for a ceasefire and safe navigation in the Black Sea.

I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

I speak on behalf of the Baltic States — Estonia, Lithuania and my own country, Latvia. I thank the presidency of the Security Council for convening this meeting, and I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their comprehensive briefings. As concluded by the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, in the first three months of this year, twice as many civilians were killed in Ukraine compared to the same period last year. Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure constitute a war crime. The Baltic States condemn all heinous acts and call on the aggressor to stop those attacks. While diplomatic efforts to find a solution to end the war are ongoing, Russia’s attacks on civilians continue to increase. It is more than clear that Russia is not interested in peace. Russia rejected the permanent ceasefire proposed by the United States. The so-called temporary truce that Russia recently announced is nothing more than a poor attempt to deceive the world in its desire for peace. Russia’s crimes serve as a stark reminder that impunity gives way to repeated crimes. Ensuring accountability is essential to ending impunity and preventing further atrocity crimes. In that context, we are glad to note that the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine is in its final stages. The perpetrators must be held accountable. The Baltic States firmly stand by Ukraine, and our support is unwavering and unconditional. In conclusion, I would like to recall that the so-called root causes of the war that Russia brings to the table are Russia’s attempts to restore its sphere of influence and change the international order. It wants to decide on the future and choices of sovereign nations — not only in its neighbourhood but on other continents as well. Therefore, let me underscore that an international system defined by imperial and colonial ambitions is not the world that we want to live in.

There are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting. Given the lateness of the hour, I intend, with the concurrence of members of the Council, to suspend this meeting until tomorrow morning.